Devi Laskar

An Interview with Devi Laskar

Phil Treagus-Evans

Devi Laskar’s reading list

16 books mentioned in this interview

  1. Hybrida · Tina Chang
  2. Anne of Green Gables · L.M. MontgomeryRecommended 11 times
  3. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous · Ocean Vuong
  4. The House on Mango Street · Sandra Cisneros
  5. Citizen · Claudia Rankine
  6. The Poet’s Companion · Dorianne Laux and Kim Addonizio
  7. The Buddha in the Attic · Julie Otsuka
  8. Beloved · Toni MorrisonRecommended 11 times
  9. Migritude · Shailja Patel
  10. Bluets · Maggie Nelson
  11. Why Did I Ever · Mary Robison
  12. Bright Felon · Kazim Ali
  13. The Reckonings · Lacy Johnson
  14. Heavy · Kiese Laymon
  15. What You Have Heard is True · Carolyn Forché
  16. The Country Between Us

Books by Devi Laskar: The Atlas of Reds and Blues

Rank these books in a tier list

Devi S. Laskar is a native of Chapel Hill, N.C. She holds an MFA from Columbia University in New York, an MA in South Asian Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a BA in journalism and English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A former newspaper reporter, Devi Laskar is now a novelist, poet, photographer and artist. Her photographs include the cover of The Florida Review; and in the pages of Tiferet Journal and Blue Heron Review.

Her poems have appeared or are forthcoming from The Atlanta Review, Rattle, Fairy Tale Review, Tin House and The Raleigh Review, which nominated her for Best New Poets 2016. Her fiction is forthcoming from Crab Orchard Review. Devi Laskar has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net. She is an alumna of both TheOpEdProject and VONA and is also an alumna of poetry workshops at the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley. In 2017, Finishing Line Press published two poetry chapbooks, “Gas & Food, No Lodging” and “Anastasia Maps.” Counterpoint Press published her debut novel, The Atlas of Reds and Blues, February 2019. She now lives in California with her family. Please enjoy my interview with Devi Laskar.

How do you describe your occupation?

I am a poet, writer, and photographer.

What is something about you that people might find surprising?

I love to cook.

What are you reading at the moment and what made you want to read it?

Hybrida by Tina Chang — I love her poetry.

What was your favourite book as a child and why?

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. I loved that she was a strong girl in a complicated situation

Can you remember the first poem you ever wrote?

Yes, I was nine years old. For an English class.

What was the last book you purchased, and why did you buy it?

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong — I have been so excited to read this wonderful poet’s debut novel.

What two pieces of advice would you give a young aspiring poet?

Write every day even if it’s just for 10 minutes and keep sending your work out. The persistent win.

What book have you found most inspiring, what effect did it have on you?

There are two. The first was The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros; she is a poet who wrote a beautiful hybrid novel — and the second book is Citizen by Claudia Rankine. Together, they gave me permission to write a hybrid novel about racism.

What’s the most obscure book you own; how did you discover it?

I found a book on a napkin folding at a thrift store, and I love it; I learned to make reusable origami shapes.

What’s the best book you’ve read in the last 6 months?

The one I’m reading right now: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong.

What is your proudest achievement?

The very first time I had a poem published — more than 20 years ago.

If someone whose never got into poetry asks you for a tip on a good poetry book to start with, what would you recommend?

The Poet’s Companion by Dorianne Laux and Kim Addonizio – a great book with great tips and prompts

If you were trying to impress a visitor, which book that you own would you leave on the coffee table?

I have no idea.

If an alien landed in your garden; which three books would you gift them to showcase humanity in the best possible way?

Good question. I’d give them Beloved by Toni Morrison, Migritude by Shailja Patel and The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka. I think the alien should know that we are a violent species capable of doing as much good as bad.

Who would you say are the three poets that continue to inspire you?

Maggie Nelson, Adrienne Rich, Natalie Diaz.

Are there any books you haven’t mentioned that you feel would make your reading list?

I’d also include:

Bluets by Maggie Nelson; Why Did I Ever by Mary Robison; Bright Felon by Kazim Ali; The Reckonings by Lacy Johnson; and Heavy by Kiese Laymon.

Which book sat on your shelf are you most excited about reading next and why?

What You Have Heard is True by Carolyn Forché. I love her books, especially The Country Between Us and I’m eager to read her memoir about that time in her life.

If you’d like to learn more about Devi Laskar, you can find her on her website and on Twitter.

Image credit: Anjini Laskar

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