ebazilereads's review
5.0
**Thanks to NetGalley, Erin Vance, and Guernica Editions for this ARC**
A History of Touch by Erin Vance is the author's debut poetry collection and will be out May 1st, 2022.
I LOVED this collection of poetry. Vance writes poems about women throughout history and folklore who were difficult, disabled, or "hysteric". The poems are stunning without the background information but I echo other readers in saying that the true magic in these poems lay in understanding who each poem was about. The author includes a brief explanation of each poem at the end of the book, which I almost wish I had read before I started the book or as I went along.
A History of Touch is a spooky, gothic, feminist collection of unsettling poems that kept me reading into the night.
5 stars! - I loved it
A History of Touch by Erin Vance is the author's debut poetry collection and will be out May 1st, 2022.
I LOVED this collection of poetry. Vance writes poems about women throughout history and folklore who were difficult, disabled, or "hysteric". The poems are stunning without the background information but I echo other readers in saying that the true magic in these poems lay in understanding who each poem was about. The author includes a brief explanation of each poem at the end of the book, which I almost wish I had read before I started the book or as I went along.
A History of Touch is a spooky, gothic, feminist collection of unsettling poems that kept me reading into the night.
5 stars! - I loved it
girlwhosometimesreads's review
2.0
2.5 stars (eARC provided on net galley)
an interesting collection which references prevalent issues in women’s lives using a beautiful, descriptive style, however, for me I found some of the messages and imagery to be too lyrical to understand. despite this, I feel this collection would work for some people and would still recommend
an interesting collection which references prevalent issues in women’s lives using a beautiful, descriptive style, however, for me I found some of the messages and imagery to be too lyrical to understand. despite this, I feel this collection would work for some people and would still recommend
genrejourneys's review
4.0
Rating: 4/5
(Gifted a copy on NetGalley in exchange for a review)
Teeming with body horror and injustices throughout the ages, “A History of Touch” was a vivid collection of poems. Best understood as stories of horror done by and to women throughout history, I found Vance’s poetry to be particularly unpleasant, in the best way, to read. It is worth noting that notes on the historical references can be found in the back and the added context improves the poems.
(Gifted a copy on NetGalley in exchange for a review)
Teeming with body horror and injustices throughout the ages, “A History of Touch” was a vivid collection of poems. Best understood as stories of horror done by and to women throughout history, I found Vance’s poetry to be particularly unpleasant, in the best way, to read. It is worth noting that notes on the historical references can be found in the back and the added context improves the poems.
elizabethlk's review
4.0
3.5 stars.
A History of Touch by Erin Emily Ann Vance is a collection of feminist poems exploring some of the persecuted and punished women of history.
The description specifies women who were ill, disabled, or considered hysteric, but I didn't feel like that element was a prominent aspect of the way the poems were represented (the focus was definitely on womanhood and misogyny and any disability or ableism featured was incidental. I'm not knocking it for being what it is, rather it was a bit disappointing to find it wasn't what was described. I feel baited into reading it (as a chronically ill disabled woman, I'm always trying to read more disability poetry), which is disappointing because I know it hurt my opinion of a book I otherwise enjoyed.
The poetry itself is good, the poet has a great sense of word flow and the feminist subject matter is right up my alley. I'm also a huge sucker for history, so it was great to explore a little of it through poetry. I appreciated the notes at the end that added historical context for the poems in case you aren't familiar with all of the subjects (I was familiar with many but not all and it was very helpful to have the extra info at the end). I do wish that its subjects hadn't been quite so white across the board, but if the author was trying to stay in her lane I definitely respect that. It's maybe not a favourite, but I definitely still enjoyed it quite a bit, and some of the poems especially stood out.
Overall, it's a very solid collection of feminist poetry that I would recommend (especially for those going in without incorrect expectations). I'll be keeping my eye out for the poet's name in the future, I'd be interested in reading more of her poetry.
A History of Touch by Erin Emily Ann Vance is a collection of feminist poems exploring some of the persecuted and punished women of history.
The description specifies women who were ill, disabled, or considered hysteric, but I didn't feel like that element was a prominent aspect of the way the poems were represented (the focus was definitely on womanhood and misogyny and any disability or ableism featured was incidental. I'm not knocking it for being what it is, rather it was a bit disappointing to find it wasn't what was described. I feel baited into reading it (as a chronically ill disabled woman, I'm always trying to read more disability poetry), which is disappointing because I know it hurt my opinion of a book I otherwise enjoyed.
The poetry itself is good, the poet has a great sense of word flow and the feminist subject matter is right up my alley. I'm also a huge sucker for history, so it was great to explore a little of it through poetry. I appreciated the notes at the end that added historical context for the poems in case you aren't familiar with all of the subjects (I was familiar with many but not all and it was very helpful to have the extra info at the end). I do wish that its subjects hadn't been quite so white across the board, but if the author was trying to stay in her lane I definitely respect that. It's maybe not a favourite, but I definitely still enjoyed it quite a bit, and some of the poems especially stood out.
Overall, it's a very solid collection of feminist poetry that I would recommend (especially for those going in without incorrect expectations). I'll be keeping my eye out for the poet's name in the future, I'd be interested in reading more of her poetry.
julshakespeare's review
4.0
4.3/5 stars, full review to come! Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review. I still have a hard time with modern poetry that lacks like.. a rhyme scheme or specific meter... but thematically she was POPPIN' and I highlighted a fair few lines. I really loved that there were notes at the end to give context to some of the poems!
Writing: 3/5
Enjoyment of subject/ideas: 5/5
Aesthetic: 5/5
Writing: 3/5
Enjoyment of subject/ideas: 5/5
Aesthetic: 5/5
tendernesstour's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Difficult women are at the core of Erin Vance's poetry collection "A History of Touch," a literary journey about women in folklore and history who were ill, disabled, or otherwise labeled as "hysteric." If you're expecting a particularly touchy-feely collection of poetry, "A History of Touch" may not satisfy as it aims as much for the mind as it does the heart and it demands a commitment to thought and contemplation. Appreciating "A History of Touch" is made easier by a knowledge of women's history, though Vance has aided in that effort at book's end with at least brief notes giving foundation to the majority of her work here. "A History of Touch" is described as discussing an aspect of or a moment in a woman’s life, connecting these moments to different aspects of embodiment and the natural world. "A History of Touching" is an examination of women vilified or left behind for their strength or their weakness. One's own history will likely help determine which poems resonate most deeply. While it would seem that "A History of Touch" is most targeted toward women, it's easily appreciated by a universal audience and this adult male with significant disabilities had no problem connecting with Vance's material. The title poem resonated deeply, though I'll confess that's as much because if I were to have a life word "touch," or perhaps tenderness, would be it. I also connect with more confessional poems like "Bloodletting" and "Whiskers." The biographical poetry, on the other hand, didn't as deeply resonate and some of the experimental works left me with mixed responses. "Projections of a Glass Womb" is nothing short of remarkable. As someone who grew up with the story of Rosemary Kennedy, I found myself deeply moved by "Rosemary's Lobotomy." There are still others that resonate more deeply once a deeper understanding is provided. At times thought provoking and other times immersive in its imagery, "A History of Touch" is a memorable collection providing voice to women who in history were so often denied theirs. Stimulating both intellect and emotion, "A History of Touch" is a sublime poetry choice for those who understand and appreciate women's history and its great history of diverse voices and experiences.
cherryactually's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
4.0
horor poetry about women by women is literally my entire aesthetic. 😔🤘
first of all, this is the one of the most incredible collections i've ever read. the imagery is extremely vivid, which makes for an incredibly haunting experience. the metaphors are sublime. the final lines pack a punch.
most (if not all?) the poems had allusions to nature and the environment, which reminded me a lot of sylvia plath's work. these poems, however, are much darker and more feminist.
also, each poem tells an entire story almost. even the shorter ones. it's truly a talent.
some entries had names at the beginning of who they were inspired by, and even names inserted mid-poem. i wish ALL the poems specified who they were inspired by, to be honest. that's actually my only qualm. the quick notes at the end weren't enough. at least, i don't think they were a complete list?
anyway, this book is about to send me into a deep dark rabbit hole of twisted history. researching about "mad" women is almost a hobby of mine. i love powerful poetry about women and their struggles.
i recommend this collection to poetry lovers, horror lovers who are interested in getting into poetry, to feminists, to women, to everyone.
*arc provided by netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
first of all, this is the one of the most incredible collections i've ever read. the imagery is extremely vivid, which makes for an incredibly haunting experience. the metaphors are sublime. the final lines pack a punch.
most (if not all?) the poems had allusions to nature and the environment, which reminded me a lot of sylvia plath's work. these poems, however, are much darker and more feminist.
also, each poem tells an entire story almost. even the shorter ones. it's truly a talent.
some entries had names at the beginning of who they were inspired by, and even names inserted mid-poem. i wish ALL the poems specified who they were inspired by, to be honest. that's actually my only qualm. the quick notes at the end weren't enough. at least, i don't think they were a complete list?
anyway, this book is about to send me into a deep dark rabbit hole of twisted history. researching about "mad" women is almost a hobby of mine. i love powerful poetry about women and their struggles.
i recommend this collection to poetry lovers, horror lovers who are interested in getting into poetry, to feminists, to women, to everyone.
*arc provided by netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
amberherbert's review
4.0
This collection is beautiful, innovative, and heart-wrenching. Though I didn't love every piece, the vast majority were poignant and full of emotion.
tk95's review
dark
4.0
I really enjoyed this poetry, it painted such vivid images with beautiful words. I had high expectations for this and it definitely lived up to it!