SOURCE: Ancheta, Shirley. Review of Danger and Beauty, by Jessica Hagedorn. Amerasia Journal 20, no. 1 (1994): 197-202.

In the following review, Ancheta observes that the poetry in Danger and Beauty is effectively voice-driven and rooted in musical rhythms, commenting that the collection provides a good introduction to Hagedorn's literary range and achievement.

Jessica Hagedorn: poet, performance artist, novelist and playwright, has deservedly etched her place in American literature. From her early rhythms in Dangerous Music through the successful novel, Dogeaters, Jessica Hagedorn has entertained us. Danger and Beauty is a collection of poetry and short fiction from her earlier books, including Pet Food and Tropical Apparitions, together with new work. The book is divided into four sections: “The Death of Anna May Wong: Poems, 1968-1972,” “Dangerous Music, 1975,” “Pet Food & Tropical Apparitions, 1981” and “New York Peep Show, 1982-1992.” This volume allows those not familiar with her earlier poems to appreciate her...