foggy_rosamund's review against another edition
3.0
Though the poems are somewhat experimental, this collection is very readable. Bergin's voice is direct, controlled and immediate. She writes about literary women, such as Madame Emma Bovary, and historical women, particularly Eleanor Marx, using quotes from their lives, details of their or their author's history, and stories. The poems are very understated, but grip the reader immediately. We are shocked and moved by the mistreatment of women. Not all the poems are equally successful -- some I struggled to understand, despite reading and rereading them, and some are written with such brevity that they feel like footnotes themselves. But I think this is a very interesting collection, and deserves attention.
rosiebarclay's review
medium-paced
3.0
not sure how i feel about the whole concept deffo an interesting idea lol
benjamawockeez's review against another edition
3.0
3.5... memory and translation coalesce nicely, some were dull but others blew me lil mind .. TS Eliot Prize 1/10
earlgreybooks's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely loved this! I think I'd like to read Madame Bovary and more about Eleanor Marx and then reread this to see the effect that has.
mindforbooks's review against another edition
5.0
It’s been an emotional time. Repeal the 8th in Ireland has been on a constant boil since the start of the year but started for me with the death of Savita Halappanavar 6 years ago.
When the referendum date was announced I decided to take the Monday after off. I’d either need it to cry about a no vote which would have broken my heart or cry because of a yes vote which has filled my heart with hope. I also needed a day where I spent the day practicing self care. Seriously needed the self care.
After a dead to the world sleep I got up and took myself to a make shift Savita memorial which appeared in Dublin over the weekend. I had another cry. I then went to a bookshop and bought my version of self care. Books. I got two works of poetry, both by Irish authors because I’m feeling patriotic again for the first time in a long time and this was one of them and I loved it.
It has made me want to do three things. Read Madame Bovary. Find out everything I can about Eleanor Marx and go back in time and bitchslap Edward Aveling.
I read this sitting in my garden in glorious weather drinking Spritz and feeling somewhat content about things. The world is mostly not content but for right now in mine it’s much better than it was this day last week so I’ll take it.
When the referendum date was announced I decided to take the Monday after off. I’d either need it to cry about a no vote which would have broken my heart or cry because of a yes vote which has filled my heart with hope. I also needed a day where I spent the day practicing self care. Seriously needed the self care.
After a dead to the world sleep I got up and took myself to a make shift Savita memorial which appeared in Dublin over the weekend. I had another cry. I then went to a bookshop and bought my version of self care. Books. I got two works of poetry, both by Irish authors because I’m feeling patriotic again for the first time in a long time and this was one of them and I loved it.
It has made me want to do three things. Read Madame Bovary. Find out everything I can about Eleanor Marx and go back in time and bitchslap Edward Aveling.
I read this sitting in my garden in glorious weather drinking Spritz and feeling somewhat content about things. The world is mostly not content but for right now in mine it’s much better than it was this day last week so I’ll take it.
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