brennispersona's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
A painful collection of poetry that deals with themes of abuse, racism, and other dark themes. It was very beautifully written and the audio book was phenomenal. Definitely read the trigger warnings on this one though.
losethegirl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
This collection is devastating. It hurts to read. But that doesn't make it any less of an incredible body of work.
monstergirlreading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.5
louisereads__'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.5
I appreciate the poetry, even as a poetry noob girly but some part are too sad and hard to read and fathom because of the heavy references on injustices the poet have experienced.
ilycianna's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
melhara's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
3.5
This was a very well-rounded collection of melancholic poems that deals with themes of immigration, abuse, racism, and numerous other dark and sad themes.
As with most poetry collections, there were some poems that stood out to me more than others, including Assimilation; Drowning in Dawson's Creek; My Father, The Astronaut; and, Bless This House.
Here's a passage from Assimilation:
As with most poetry collections, there were some poems that stood out to me more than others, including Assimilation; Drowning in Dawson's Creek; My Father, The Astronaut; and, Bless This House.
Here's a passage from Assimilation:
The refugee's heart often grows
an outer layer. An assimilation.
It cocoons the organ. Those unable to grow the extra skin
die within the first six months in a host country.
As much as I like listening to poetry via audiobook or reading it via ebook, I did have some difficulty navigating between the glossary at the end of the book and the poems (as there are many Somali words included in the poems).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racism, and Death
ashley_jewell's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
WOW this was amazing. Such beautiful writing. I listened to the audio book and now I want to buy a copy and re-read it immediately. This collection of poetry talks about the experiences of womanhood and family and so much more.