lifeinpoetry's review against another edition
5.0
These poems and the introduction to each poem are more little packets of history than anything. Introduced me to many historical figures and some modern ones, all black women (per the title). Definitely worth reading though less for the poetry than the history imparted.
luke_from_the_ritual's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
hannahbananali's review against another edition
4.0
This poetry collection is a history, a tribute, and a love letter to black women. And it’s pretty amazing.
I know poetry can seem daunting. But this collection kind of defies the traditional form. It’s history spoken in poetry. It’s a narrative written in verse. While I loved the poems dedicated to the women (a few favorites were “Black Bird Medley”, “#SandySpeaks is a Choral Refrain”, and really all the poems devoted to Assata Shakur), I was surprised by how moved I was when Hill shifted to her own personal life. The poems written to and about her son gave this collection a focused, personal touch compared to the wider scope of the odes to the women. I didn’t realize that the collection needed them until I read them.
I know poetry can seem daunting. But this collection kind of defies the traditional form. It’s history spoken in poetry. It’s a narrative written in verse. While I loved the poems dedicated to the women (a few favorites were “Black Bird Medley”, “#SandySpeaks is a Choral Refrain”, and really all the poems devoted to Assata Shakur), I was surprised by how moved I was when Hill shifted to her own personal life. The poems written to and about her son gave this collection a focused, personal touch compared to the wider scope of the odes to the women. I didn’t realize that the collection needed them until I read them.