October mourning

This novel in verse explores the tragic 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, in Wyoming. Author Lesléa Newman, deeply affected by the event, crafts fictitious monologues from various perspectives, including the fence Matthew was tied to, the stars, and Matthew himself. More than a decade later, this collection of sixty-eight poems serves as a powerful and enduring tribute to Matthew Shepard's life, illuminating the events for new generations of readers.