4/5 stars
What's it about? The collection explores the tension between human and human-made, between strength and weakness, control and abandon. Choi's language is rich and intoxicating, a dessert that you finish over several sittings.
How’d I find it? This was a solid birthday gift from my love.
Who will enjoy this book? Fans of contemporary American poets (Hanif Abdurraqib, torrin a. greathouse, Sally Wen Mao, etc.)
What stood out? "Perihelion: A History of Touch" is a standout piece, taking the titles of its various subsections from full moons in the Farmer's Almanac. I am personally skeptical of most books where the word "wound" is used on the first page, as it typically means I'm in store for a book-length exploration of identity — not always the reading experience I'm going for. The craftsmanship of Soft Science makes the appearance of "wound" twice on the first page forgivable. I'm telling you, this is high praise.
Which line made me feel something? There were so many. An example from "A Brief History of Cyborgs:" "Even blood, when it comes down to it, is only a series of rules."