finii's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
3.0
lisdweer's review against another edition
2.0
The Nectar of Pain caught my interest originally. I gave it an honest chance -- I wanted to like it; it's a collection of poems around a central theme of heartbreak, a theme that most of us are familiar with and relate to. Reading the start, I liked the lines "Some spend a lifetime healing, and some spend a lifetime wanting to heal" (enjambment removed to ease reading). I didn't quite enjoy the whole poem, but poetry is a fickle mistress and it is unlikely for every line to be a hit.
Unfortunately, the following poems disappointed me. Another review stated that modern poetry might not be for her, and I have similiar sentimenta. Najwa's work is very in line with poets like Rupi Kaur (and take that as you might, for some this will sound like a recommendation). It's straight-forward, clear free verse, lacking any of the more difficult style figures or rhyme schemes.
One of my main issues is how most of the poems featured in this collection follow the same pattern. It's unavoidable when working around one specific theme to have every poem stand out, but the cohesiveness of this work doesn't work. Throughout reading, I often felt like I had already read certain sentences or phrases before. I can envision the work as a whole, but I cannot tell you about any of the poems in particular.
The author has the tendency to end poems with a little conclusion; the lyrical I looking back on the moment in the poem and saying something like "At that time / I did not know that / your unwillingness to comfort me / was a sign that I needed to / walk away." The repetition of these segments make them lose their meaning. A few of them had an impact on me, most did not. Oftentimes I could not see any poetical quality in them.
There are certainly poems that are better than others. Najwa undoubtedly has her moments. The little conclusion I talked about in the above paragraph was executed in a very interesting way in one of her poems starting with The day you confessed your love . The poem is cut short and she concludes it saying she cannot finish it up until this day. I thought that was a unique vision on the central theme.
Aside from that, she has a good grasp on writing about the things that resonate within us. I feel like that may be her main drawing point; it's not the quality of the poems themselves as much as the subjects. I feel like if the work was more polished, if the superfluous poems were cut out and more attention was paid to style (there are quite a few sentences that fall flat, and a lot of cliches that remain cliched) as well as the message, this collection would have been better off.
To conclude, I would say that if you are a fan of easily digestable poetry, this would be a nice addition. If you would like something more complex, something to bite into, something that leaves a more lasting impression, look on. This is not that work.
Unfortunately, the following poems disappointed me. Another review stated that modern poetry might not be for her, and I have similiar sentimenta. Najwa's work is very in line with poets like Rupi Kaur (and take that as you might, for some this will sound like a recommendation). It's straight-forward, clear free verse, lacking any of the more difficult style figures or rhyme schemes.
One of my main issues is how most of the poems featured in this collection follow the same pattern. It's unavoidable when working around one specific theme to have every poem stand out, but the cohesiveness of this work doesn't work. Throughout reading, I often felt like I had already read certain sentences or phrases before. I can envision the work as a whole, but I cannot tell you about any of the poems in particular.
The author has the tendency to end poems with a little conclusion; the lyrical I looking back on the moment in the poem and saying something like "At that time / I did not know that / your unwillingness to comfort me / was a sign that I needed to / walk away." The repetition of these segments make them lose their meaning. A few of them had an impact on me, most did not. Oftentimes I could not see any poetical quality in them.
There are certainly poems that are better than others. Najwa undoubtedly has her moments. The little conclusion I talked about in the above paragraph was executed in a very interesting way in one of her poems starting with The day you confessed your love . The poem is cut short and she concludes it saying she cannot finish it up until this day. I thought that was a unique vision on the central theme.
Aside from that, she has a good grasp on writing about the things that resonate within us. I feel like that may be her main drawing point; it's not the quality of the poems themselves as much as the subjects. I feel like if the work was more polished, if the superfluous poems were cut out and more attention was paid to style (there are quite a few sentences that fall flat, and a lot of cliches that remain cliched) as well as the message, this collection would have been better off.
To conclude, I would say that if you are a fan of easily digestable poetry, this would be a nice addition. If you would like something more complex, something to bite into, something that leaves a more lasting impression, look on. This is not that work.
sky_reaper's review against another edition
1.0
Reiterating thoughts. It's like having a circular argument with myself. I tried my best but I think this kind of poetry aint really for me.
mahdyah's review against another edition
4.0
“I love the love that you showed me I can give.
I love the happiness that you showed me I could feel.
I love that you walked away.
I love that you did not stay.
I would have suffered if you stayed,
because of the person that you are
today.”
.....
“To choose to fall in love is
to choose to take
a risk.
To be hurt or
let go is
a tragedy.
And it is
possible.
But to choose to
not
take the risk and
miss the chance of finding the love of
your life is
a bigger tragedy.”
.....
“I never knew what they meant when they said, "you'll know,"
until
I knew.
And I never knew what they meant when they said, "time
heals,"
until
I felt free.”
.....
“Please don’t make me
grieve you
while you’re still alive.”
Excerpt From
The Nectar of Pain
Najwa Zebian
I love the happiness that you showed me I could feel.
I love that you walked away.
I love that you did not stay.
I would have suffered if you stayed,
because of the person that you are
today.”
.....
“To choose to fall in love is
to choose to take
a risk.
To be hurt or
let go is
a tragedy.
And it is
possible.
But to choose to
not
take the risk and
miss the chance of finding the love of
your life is
a bigger tragedy.”
.....
“I never knew what they meant when they said, "you'll know,"
until
I knew.
And I never knew what they meant when they said, "time
heals,"
until
I felt free.”
.....
“Please don’t make me
grieve you
while you’re still alive.”
Excerpt From
The Nectar of Pain
Najwa Zebian
mahum221's review against another edition
2.0
repetitive, cliché, and made me scoff and cringe multiple times. on the bright side, it’s good for crying over during the first few days of a middleschool heartbreak.
fadoua_05's review against another edition
3.0
Found myself in some pages but I have a problem with the length of the collection. It's a bit too long !
aarahi's review against another edition
3.0
Rating - 3.8
This is a book I'll call an essential read. The poems speak of self love and how to feel when in an abusive relationship. The repetition may make this book feel a little bland and boring yet the message across poems is pure. For those who feel conflicted within themselves and the mirage they have become, this is an amazing read.
This is a book I'll call an essential read. The poems speak of self love and how to feel when in an abusive relationship. The repetition may make this book feel a little bland and boring yet the message across poems is pure. For those who feel conflicted within themselves and the mirage they have become, this is an amazing read.
anz16's review against another edition
5.0
It’s beautiful. Made my pain feel not like pain but more of a gift, to grow and to learn. This book touched my heart and I honestly think I’m forever changed by it. Please, go read it. ❤️