The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
noellesimonson's review against another edition
5.0
Peer. Friend. Role Model. Savannah Slone does it again. I have been reading her writing for several years in both a professional and personal environment and she never fails to blow me away. I am unsure how talent was bred so easily within her mind but she makes better use of it than anyone else I know. Five stars isn't enough to fully portray how I feel about this chapbook.
Hearing the Underwater is a powerful, enchanting, consuming collection of poems that encompass multiple different hard-to-talk-about topics. "...and I'll be stuck in two realms: unfounded fear and awestruck observation. That's how I feel most of the time, really". Savannah encapsulated the inner workings of her mind and put it on paper. She took the most difficult emotions and actually formed sentences to explain them. That is not something easily done and something we should all aspire to attempt in our own writing.
Cynicism and Other Synonyms is one of my two favorite poems within this collection because of its raw energy. I have never read something so mind-numbingly beautiful and understated all at once. It's the simplest concept transformed into an eye-opening poem that digs deep into both her personality and your own.
Self Care and Other Unattainables is my second favorite poem within this collection, though it was difficult to narrow it down. "You want to take better care of yourself, but you're not in the mood and neither am I". A simple striking sentence about the dangers of lack of self care. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and worse, but it's a difficult habit to get into. Loving oneself is not an easy feat and this poem demonstrates that seamlessly.
The rest of the poems in this collection discuss important topics such as abortion, racism, gun control, mental health, and others. It is an important look into our current society and how bad things can go when the wrong people are in control of our country. "...or you could always revolt against the United States of Hate and Privilege". Savannah uses her platform to educate and inspire people of all races, genders, and classes to look inside themselves and see what's really there. Her writing is an intense view of our world from a single perspective.
Savannah Slone should be seen as an inspiration to the poetry community because of her dedication, passion, and raw creativity. This collection of poems is unlike any I have ever seen because of her specific writing style and how she views the world through glasses that are anything but rose-colored.
Hearing the Underwater is a powerful, enchanting, consuming collection of poems that encompass multiple different hard-to-talk-about topics. "...and I'll be stuck in two realms: unfounded fear and awestruck observation. That's how I feel most of the time, really". Savannah encapsulated the inner workings of her mind and put it on paper. She took the most difficult emotions and actually formed sentences to explain them. That is not something easily done and something we should all aspire to attempt in our own writing.
Cynicism and Other Synonyms is one of my two favorite poems within this collection because of its raw energy. I have never read something so mind-numbingly beautiful and understated all at once. It's the simplest concept transformed into an eye-opening poem that digs deep into both her personality and your own.
Self Care and Other Unattainables is my second favorite poem within this collection, though it was difficult to narrow it down. "You want to take better care of yourself, but you're not in the mood and neither am I". A simple striking sentence about the dangers of lack of self care. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and worse, but it's a difficult habit to get into. Loving oneself is not an easy feat and this poem demonstrates that seamlessly.
The rest of the poems in this collection discuss important topics such as abortion, racism, gun control, mental health, and others. It is an important look into our current society and how bad things can go when the wrong people are in control of our country. "...or you could always revolt against the United States of Hate and Privilege". Savannah uses her platform to educate and inspire people of all races, genders, and classes to look inside themselves and see what's really there. Her writing is an intense view of our world from a single perspective.
Savannah Slone should be seen as an inspiration to the poetry community because of her dedication, passion, and raw creativity. This collection of poems is unlike any I have ever seen because of her specific writing style and how she views the world through glasses that are anything but rose-colored.
laurelinwonder's review against another edition
5.0
The only reason I am glad this was a short chapbook is because the content herein is volatile. So much is covered, from women's rights to our bodies, to racism, to motherhood, mental illness, and ultimately coming to find a way to love oneself the way we all deserve -- even if we don't know it. Thought provoking, and not for the closed minded, unless you are willing to learn, as all of us should be.
mconant's review against another edition
4.0
"Hearing the Underwater" is full of rich imagery on heavy topics. I recommend this book.
I received a copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
jaclyn_sixminutesforme's review against another edition
3.0
This is a really unique and short collection that immerses (or submerges is maybe more appropriate given title) the reader into a feminist discussion about various issues including motherhood, reproductive rights and identity.
My personal favorite from the collection was âBecause you asked about love, Iâll tell youâ - I loved the imagery and breathless feel reading it.
Definitely one to check or if you like feminist poetry and experimental structure (the piece entitled âErasure poem from Virginia Woolfâs âThe Voyage Outââ was really interesting in this regard)
My personal favorite from the collection was âBecause you asked about love, Iâll tell youâ - I loved the imagery and breathless feel reading it.
Definitely one to check or if you like feminist poetry and experimental structure (the piece entitled âErasure poem from Virginia Woolfâs âThe Voyage Outââ was really interesting in this regard)
carlasofiaferreira's review against another edition
4.0
A mesmerizing collection well worth rereading. I loved and learned from Slone's poetry. Looking forward to returning to this book.
Update: Did return to this book and still love it!
Update: Did return to this book and still love it!
sarah_alexis37's review against another edition
5.0
Breathtaking writing down to the last stanza.
It was very similar to all of the Button Poetry books I have read, and yet Slone's writing style is beautifully raw and all her own. Her diction is so thoughtful and creative, and I love how vividly she is able to paint a picture with her words, how she can capture a snapshot with imagery and enjambment. Hearing the Underwater was such an inspiration for me and I definitely think anyone who wishes to become a writer, or anyone who just wants to get into the poetry genre should check out this book!
It was very similar to all of the Button Poetry books I have read, and yet Slone's writing style is beautifully raw and all her own. Her diction is so thoughtful and creative, and I love how vividly she is able to paint a picture with her words, how she can capture a snapshot with imagery and enjambment. Hearing the Underwater was such an inspiration for me and I definitely think anyone who wishes to become a writer, or anyone who just wants to get into the poetry genre should check out this book!
bethsbookshelf's review
4.0
so so so so beautiful, lush descriptions & careful word choices
absolutely in awe of these pieces
some poems i didnât quite catch the content but hey, all still gorgeous pieces
absolutely in awe of these pieces
some poems i didnât quite catch the content but hey, all still gorgeous pieces
littlerah's review
4.0
I was provided with a free advanced reader eCopy of âHearing the Underwaterâ in exchange for an honest review. Her collection will be available as of January 4th 2019!
âThey leave empowered, and then she sits in her own hypocritical silence. Sitting across from her therapist, she follows up every childhood tragedy with a laugh that might as well be paired with finger gunsâ (12).
One thing Iâm very passionate about is the development and showcasing of young writers and their work. When Savannah mentioned she was looking for people to read her debut poetry chapbook, I was ready to raise my hand. âHearing the Underwaterâ does not disappoint in this and adds to my hope for more voices of young diverse writers.
The collections cover is hypnotic and beautiful, an array of water colours blended into a beautiful ocean. Different from many collection covers these days with their simplicity, Slone does not try to be anything but herself. You take your first breath.
Readers are welcomed into a dedication that sets up the entire piece, âfor all the selves Iâve been and will be,â Slone reminds readers of her age, and her growth as a person. âHearing the Underwaterâ is a development of ideas, beliefs and of language itself as she experiments with style and form. Her writing is politically stirring as she maintains a strong and consistent voice. I can imagine her writing spoken word poetry as well.
âWe see the delicate peach pits
in the urns of your overall
pockets. We hear your
shadow. The watercolour
humming of bees
and their kazoos make us swallow
the florescent Morse code rot
of our mindsâ inner workingsâ (18).
One thing that I struggled with was a degree of inconsistency, with capitalisation, with incomplete metaphors. With such powerful and stark language, I needed to be sure of the lines and at times it was a struggle. I however would attribute this to the development of writing. Through her collection you can see Slone experimenting with style, with form â some prose poems (Ode to the Uterus stands powerfully), a jump in stanza enjambment. Slone is gaining her voice and this should be applauded as we stand alongside young writers and watch them progress into future selves.
And all of this comes back to the water. Water that polishes our writing, water of the womb that enables us and children much like Sloneâs son to grow and develop. You canât always see the water in the poems, but you can feel it ebbing and flowing. Understand that Slone is hearing the water, and the way it will craft and work with her life, she is listening, and to her, we should be too.
âI turn the doorknob,
to dig for my rootsâ (21).
Savannah Slone is a queer American writer. Her poetry has appeared in many collections and she serves as a poetry editor for a number of publications. She is developing her sense of style, and her sense of self. Sharp words and powerful opinions, this is just the beginning for Slone who should be watched as she continues to develop her self and her writing. I look forward to more.
âThey leave empowered, and then she sits in her own hypocritical silence. Sitting across from her therapist, she follows up every childhood tragedy with a laugh that might as well be paired with finger gunsâ (12).
One thing Iâm very passionate about is the development and showcasing of young writers and their work. When Savannah mentioned she was looking for people to read her debut poetry chapbook, I was ready to raise my hand. âHearing the Underwaterâ does not disappoint in this and adds to my hope for more voices of young diverse writers.
The collections cover is hypnotic and beautiful, an array of water colours blended into a beautiful ocean. Different from many collection covers these days with their simplicity, Slone does not try to be anything but herself. You take your first breath.
Readers are welcomed into a dedication that sets up the entire piece, âfor all the selves Iâve been and will be,â Slone reminds readers of her age, and her growth as a person. âHearing the Underwaterâ is a development of ideas, beliefs and of language itself as she experiments with style and form. Her writing is politically stirring as she maintains a strong and consistent voice. I can imagine her writing spoken word poetry as well.
âWe see the delicate peach pits
in the urns of your overall
pockets. We hear your
shadow. The watercolour
humming of bees
and their kazoos make us swallow
the florescent Morse code rot
of our mindsâ inner workingsâ (18).
One thing that I struggled with was a degree of inconsistency, with capitalisation, with incomplete metaphors. With such powerful and stark language, I needed to be sure of the lines and at times it was a struggle. I however would attribute this to the development of writing. Through her collection you can see Slone experimenting with style, with form â some prose poems (Ode to the Uterus stands powerfully), a jump in stanza enjambment. Slone is gaining her voice and this should be applauded as we stand alongside young writers and watch them progress into future selves.
And all of this comes back to the water. Water that polishes our writing, water of the womb that enables us and children much like Sloneâs son to grow and develop. You canât always see the water in the poems, but you can feel it ebbing and flowing. Understand that Slone is hearing the water, and the way it will craft and work with her life, she is listening, and to her, we should be too.
âI turn the doorknob,
to dig for my rootsâ (21).
Savannah Slone is a queer American writer. Her poetry has appeared in many collections and she serves as a poetry editor for a number of publications. She is developing her sense of style, and her sense of self. Sharp words and powerful opinions, this is just the beginning for Slone who should be watched as she continues to develop her self and her writing. I look forward to more.
bethsbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
so so so so beautiful, lush descriptions & careful word choices
absolutely in awe of these pieces
some poems i didnât quite catch the content but hey, all still gorgeous pieces
absolutely in awe of these pieces
some poems i didnât quite catch the content but hey, all still gorgeous pieces
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