Reviews

Ghost of by Diana Khoi Nguyen

cgcpoems's review

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

This had perhaps the best interior book design I’ve ever seen. The visuals and forms so perfectly matched these poems and the overall message of the book, and it was a treat to read these poems knowing their presentation was thought about with such care. “Ghost Of” makes for a really interesting addition to the subset of poetry collections about grief. These poems are not easy, but aren’t so complicated that you’ll be scratching your head wondering about the deeper meaning. If you’re looking for a poetry collection that’s a little funky, requiring a little analysis and time to appreciate, I’d definitely recommend this.

i_island's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective

3.25

There were parts that I loved a lot, but generally, it wasn't my favorite. Will have to think about this some more before writing a better review.

mixedreader's review

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

3.75

Incredible play with form

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death

clairechum's review

2.0

I had to read this for a literature class and it was a quick read so I could manage. I am not a huge poetry fan, so the chances I would like it were slim from the start, but it was not anything special to me. Diana Khoi Nguyen is an excellent writer and approaches grief in a manner that most are afraid to go about, but the collection of poetry was simply not my favorite I've ever read.

swamp_witch's review

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

5.0

sierrafroggy's review

emotional reflective

4.0

psukrainets's review

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide

elainarkk's review

emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

I love Diana Khoi Nguyen's poetry like I have never loved poetry before. Her implementation of enjambment, juxtaposition, word choice, and repetition, among other poetic devices are truly to be admired from a reader standpoint as well as a writer standpoint. This is a collection I will cherish and read again and again.  

lavagurl's review

5.0

Holy shit. Ok so I’m a student at the University of Pittsburgh and I got the opportunity to meet Diana and she’s incredible. I felt like this collection about grief really spoke to me and she even invented a type of form like what??!! She stays true to her audience and I’m really grateful as an Asian American poet to have her in the community to have as a mentor/guide.

brice_mo's review

4.0

I really loved this, particularly in conversation with its successor, Root Fractures.

Both books have similar subject matter, but I was struck by how the shapelessness of the grief that originates in this collection is clarified in Diana Khoi Nguyen's next book.

Perhaps loss cannot be healed, but it can be matured.