I thought elvis was italian
Domenico Capilongo
April 2008
88 pages | ISBN 978-1-894987-22-6
**Shortlisted for the F.G. Bressani Literary Prize**
Karate, fatherhood, travel, and Italian-Canadian identity are the cornerstones of this sinewy premiere collection by Toronto poet Domenico Capilongo. Capilongo skillfully manipulates narrative, lyric and experimental poetic devices to disclose powerful personal journeys – whether back into childhood or into love – that radiate insight, courage, and wisdom. An outstanding debut collection cherishing family and the ties that bind us to one another. See a video of his reading at the Toronto launch here.
Reviews
Poetry Review for the Year 2008 (Paul W. Harland, Journal of Canadian Poetry Volume 25, 2/1/2011). "Capilongo’s poems often demonstrate a lightness of tough of either wit or observation that is promising.”
Review (Carmelo Militano, Prairie Fire Magazine, 7/4/2009). "All is done with clarity, feeling, and some sly understated humour."
Italian Canadians: Writing from the Edge to Find the Centre (Michael Mirolla, Accenti, 3/6/2009). "Capilongo's strongest point his ability to use the ingredients for the defining of an Italian-Canadian identity to produce writing that transcends that identity."
Reader's Diary #448 - Domenico Capilongo: I thought elvis was italian (John Mutford, The Book Mine Set, 2/6/2009). "There's a vein of humility, curiosity, imagination and discovery that runs through the book and it's all quite charming."
Shining debut from Domenico Capilongo (Rita Simonetta, Tandem News, 5/6/2008). "A collection of poems by a bright and rising star who takes readers on a journey they won't soon forget."
Videos
At his book launch on June 3rd 2008 at Nicholas Hoare Books in Toronto, Domenico read a selection from his new book, I thought elvis was italian (Wolsak and Wynn, Spring 2008).
About the Author
Domenico Capilongo's writing has appeared in publications abroad and in Canadian literary journals including The New Quarterly, Filling Station, Descant, and Acta Victoriana. In 2005 his work was nominated for the Journey Prize. He received an honourable mention in the Toronto Star Poetry contest in 2004. Capilongo lived in Vancouver and Swift Current before finally settling in Toronto.
