veve_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicide, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Cancer, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Racism, and Suicide attempt
randisworld's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Such a wonderful memoir.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Death
Minor: Drug use
james1star's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This was my first time reading a poetry memoir and it was a really great way of telling her story. Daley-Ward takes us through her life in four sections from child- to adulthood and used many different types/forms of poetry. Her poems are really assessable and easy to understand but still retains a high level of nuance, complexity and lyricalness. It is a collection so there were some I preferred then others but overall I enjoyed them and many passages were underlined and stared to return to. My favourite poem is right near the end titled ‘awayness; an almanac’ and I though it was a perfect ending piece where I initially didn’t know where we were going but ends are somewhat tied and the title of ‘The Terrible’ makes sense - really great and what made this book go from a 4.5/75 to the full 5 ⭐️ rating it deserves.
The actual content is about Yrsa growing up in Chorley with her brother, their relationship with their mum Marcia (her men) and grandparents. After moving to Manchester and then London, the author talks about differ people in her life, jobs and ‘living while you’re young’ outlook. After a death both her and Roo’s mental health suffers and this is touched on too. There is more but don’t want to spoil parts.
I would definitely recommend this memoir/poetry collection. Really lyrical, meaningful, unique and a generally great read - despite the topics - and I cannot wait to read her first collection Bone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Bullying, Racism, Cancer, and Death
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