Scan barcode
geegee98's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
lovegriefandgender's review
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
So I love Hollie McNish's poetry — it is honest and direct and she reads it with such a clear and lovely cadence. I am less fond of her prose; I find it meandering and unfocussed and adds little by explaining the context or rationale of each poem, even when I agree with 95% of the political comment she makes. Sadly, this latter is the majority of the book. One example springs to mind: an anecdote about Hollie being sent out of an English classroom for staring at her teacher's cameltoe and then bursting into uncontrollable laughter. This is at best irritating and at worst sexual harassment. I am a transgender English teacher and not only see nothing funny or endearing about this story but also wonder at its inclusion — it does not paint Hollie in a good light, it is never referenced in her poems and it makes me feel icky to read; newly self-conscious in my classrooms about my already unusual body. Poets, in general, are commanders of expressing much with few words. This book is 475 pages long. I think that speaks for itself.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, and Sexual harassment
lauradvb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
More...