It’s Here!
The Overwhelming Expectation of Pleasantness (ISBN 979-8-218-13432-7) is Brad Walsh's first book of poetry. Complemented with illustrations by the author and divided into color-coded sections ("Anguish," "Delight," "Settle," and "Death is Near"), a journey along the axis of grief is taken from heartbreak and despair, to the rediscovery of joy, to fulfillment and wisdom, and finally: contemplation of the other side. Purchase a signed copy or the digital eBook at the shop.
Advance reactions:
"A work of extraordinary depth, one that I couldn't stop reading, turning each page, thrilled to see there was another resonant poem to devour. How universal each one felt... I thought: could he have read my mind? My heart?"
—Sarah Paulson (Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild award-winning actor)
"This lovely book's wholehearted and audacious pursuit of the exploration of memories and emotions is both breathtakingly candid and deeply satisfying."
—Nia Vardalos (Academy Award-nominated screenwriter (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), actor, and New York Times bestselling author of Instant Mom)
"Walsh expertly showcases his talents as an artist and poet in a collection that is beautiful, haunting and unflinchingly honest."
—Franchesca Ramsey (Creator/host of MTV Decoded and author of Well, That Escalated Quickly)
"With jaw-dropping honesty and awe-inspiring reflective awareness, Brad Walsh has crafted a book that will send you reeling. It is bold, it is brutal, it is an artist working at the top of his game."
—Jenny Mollen (Actor and New York Times bestselling author of I Like You Just the Way I Am and Live Fast Die Hot)
"Dark, piercing but ultimately self-motivating words combine with vibrant, colorful image splashes to let us see and feel the beautiful, vulnerable, messy world of Brad Walsh."
—Alan Cumming (BAFTA and Tony Award-winning actor and New York Times bestselling author of Baggage: Tales from A Fully Packed Life)
"Brad's words deliver a gut punch in the most insightful and original way. The threads of lessons learned and rising from what we once thought would take us down that connect us all are woven through these written paintings."
—Alicia Witt (Actor, recording artist, and author of Small Changes)
"Powerful, gorgeous, and incredibly moving. So heartbreaking and relatable, and the art is stunning."
—Kristen Johnston (Emmy Award-winning actor and New York Times bestselling author of Guts: The Endless Follies and Tiny Triumphs of a Giant Disaster)