A new book of searingly intelligent poems from a uniquely eloquent poet. Larissa Shmailo draws on the experience of her immense challenges--prostitution, alcoholism, drugs and insanity--and her immense advantages--a gift for poetic form, a razor-sharp mind, the spirit of a mystic, and a deep intimacy with world literature and culture--to share with us precious and hard-learned lessons. Medusa's Country is a book to savor, and Larissa Shmailo, novelist, translator, and poet of urgent maturity and resonant depth, is a writer to watch.