Reviews

The Backwater Sermons by Jay Hulme

thebookstack's review

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5.0

I’m not usually interested in poetry - both writing and reading. Perhaps it’s my aversion to flowery writing and excessive metaphors, but I tend to avoid it but respect those who like them.

This, on the other hand, is one of the best books I’ve ever read.

To put it simply, this is a collection of poems primarily exploring the complex intersection of queerness and religion; they were stunningly deep, emotional, and heartfelt - and sometimes breaching topics that cause discomfort in the most necessary way.
I adore this book, and I keep returning to my favourites in times of strife.

As a fellow trans christian, I’d highly recommend this to anyone looking for a new perspective.

puurplewitch's review

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challenging inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

rebeccaclarke's review

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

_dancingwithdragons's review

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

supitslois's review

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reflective slow-paced

3.5

coreylanesmith's review

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challenging hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

book_fish's review

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emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

5.0

This beautiful collection of poems by Jay gives words to the pandemic grief I've never known how to feel, plus the unique grief and joy of being a queer Christian. Part memoir, part love story, all brilliant poetry. 

bronzeageholly's review

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reflective fast-paced

4.0

Thought-provoking musings on queerness, spirituality, and society. It was interesting to explore religion and the pandemic with Jay through his poetry. I particularly loved ‘On Realising God Exists’ and ‘Jesus at the Gay Bar’.

However, the movement throughout the collection between the hard-hitting and moving poems and the lighthearted moments felt a little incongruous. For me, the collection didn’t feel entirely sequential, and I would have preferred a separation between the tones, such as through chapters or sections.

But, saying that, the central themes of faith, strength, and hope were so warm and inviting. This poetry collection is like a cup of tea and a chat with a good friend.

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felixculpa's review

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emotional reflective slow-paced

3.0

adampjt's review

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funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

3.5