Reviews

Mr. West by Sarah Blake

saintcormorant's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.5

car8line's review against another edition

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4.0

A very interesting and unique poetry collection. What other living artist could have an entire poetry collection formed around them other than Kanye? He has been around for long enough, he has enough controversy, he has enough depth, he has enough mystery and known private knowledge.

Lines I liked:
From I want a house to raise my son in: "and if my desires are not unique, / what is?"
Twilight: starring Kanye: "I'm thinking the black man can't be a monster because he is one, because we won't let a fantasy form around him."

kenningjp's review against another edition

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4.0

If I was more familiar and especially if I was more in love with Kanye this would have been a five star book. It tugs at your sensations in several directions all at one time. This is a book of nuances. Over-the-top and subtle both simultaneously and alternating. Erasure becomes exposure. Contempt is turned inside out so we can commune with the subject behind the sentiments. The larger than life is reduced to piecemeal stanzas. Bite sized humor and empathy.

mehar_anaokar's review against another edition

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challenging funny

3.0

toriisavannah's review against another edition

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quotes:
"the mouths we speak with are hidden by our other mouths"
"women are familiar with how not to scare / someone who's in danger"
" I want to spend my poem smiling."
"the blood helps because the heart helps because the electricity moves us"
"when I wanted to put my fingers through your hair, I wasn't saying, Can I / touch it? / I was saying caress."
"you used over forty exclamation marks and I think that's how America needs to be spoken to."
"I am encouraged to paint myself the fool...To humble me. Humiliate me."

vulpasvulpas's review against another edition

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3.0

this morning I woke up and I just really wanted to read a book of poems about Kanye West

kenningjp's review against another edition

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4.0

If I was more familiar and especially if I was more in love with Kanye this would have been a five star book. It tugs at your sensations in several directions all at one time. This is a book of nuances. Over-the-top and subtle both simultaneously and alternating. Erasure becomes exposure. Contempt is turned inside out so we can commune with the subject behind the sentiments. The larger than life is reduced to piecemeal stanzas. Bite sized humor and empathy.

wcsheffer's review

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5.0

Thoroughly enjoyed Sarah Blake's poetic exploration of Kanye West's life, especially surrounding the death of his mother, in relation to society and her own life. I am amazed and still thinking about her combination of astute cultural observations bridged with intimate descriptions of her romantic relationship and pregnancy. A stunning collection of poems.
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