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pand_books's review against another edition
2.0
- while Halsey does bring up important topics that are personal to her, - feminism, abortion, abusive relationships, etc. - the execution of these topics is not the best.
- the ideas for these poems are great...
- ... but they could do with stronger imagery, more self-reflection, fewer fluff/cutting of lines, more thoughtful line breaks, and more unique use of diction.
- these poems, unfortunately, read like first drafts. I know that's a harsh critique (and my apologies to the poet) but I see the potential there. With some more editing, I could see these poems being stronger and getting their point across in a more impactful way.
- the poet tells us directly in lines and even in the title what the poem is "about" as if we may not get the message. instead of showing us what the poem is "about," letting the reader piece it together with the elements used throughout the poem, the poet jumps the gun and tells the reader outright - perhaps there isn't enough imagery or poetic devices for the reader to see the message.
- lots of use of cliche metaphors and similies.
- cannot get over the lines: "But my head down / on a mattress / famous actress / and she skrrrt'n me" (American Woman, 64).
While I gave this two stars, which I rarely do, there are a few select poems worth reading from this collection. The two stars are because so much was lacking from the collection as a whole.
Poems worth reading from this collection:
- The Professional
- Lullabye
- The Painter
- Fun Girl
- The Cave
Graphic: Sexual violence and Abortion
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
bashsbooks's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Body shaming, Miscarriage, and Vomit
nat_kiverse's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
lily_kruse's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
siriuslyjenn_'s review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Grief
wanderonwards's review against another edition
2.0
Moderate: Addiction, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, and Pedophilia
angel_kiiss's review against another edition
4.25
I actually vibed with a lot of Halsey’s poems, but if anything I think that says more about me and my relationship to my angst-filled years than it does Halsey. However, I strongly respect the criticism that this collection has garnered because it does deserve it. Like many have pointed out before, the poems are strong in foundation but feel as if they are drafts in the making. Some don’t flow well or are a little too clunky or have several out-of-topic lines that don’t read well with the rest of the poem. It’s good but it needed more time in the over, as they say.
She’s a lyricist and it shows, almost every fifth line hitting as if it’s a kick to your soul. She even includes the poem she read at the Women’s March in 2017 which is, honestly, spectacular. Every third or so poem reads like a diary entry and not a poetic stanza but that’s okay only if your a big fan of Halsey, which I am, but doesn’t ring the same if you came here to read her poetry, not a Dear Diary post.
It’s also littered with the poems that either inspired or began a lot of her songs from Manic and some from Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. Many are taken straight from poem to lyric, but there are some which differ ever so slightly and it’s cool to see the different stages of the writing process. My favorite lines from Clementine are seen in the original stanza in Stockholm Syndrome Pt. 1 and as a fan that was enjoyable to see.
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, and Abortion
kylajaynebooks's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence