tempest_1313's review
5.0
It feels criminal that this poetry collection has only two reviews. I finished it, yesterday, and have the hugest book hangover from how amazing it was. I was trying to sneak reading it on my phone during work, which is definitely not my usual. But it's just so brilliant. And, if this is what Elliott is putting out into the world, now, in his 20s, I can't wait to see how that talent blossoms over time.
aebross's review
5.0
Note: I was given a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
If it's any indication, you can see that I started and finished this collection of poetry and prose in less than a day. Yes, that is how good it was. As soon as this work began, I knew it was going to be for me. I LOVE poetry that incorporates different writing and seeing poetry that experiments with coding and what that means in a technological aid is one of my favorites. Also, the layout experimentation just added so much to the messages and themes of the chapbook. Just beautiful.
All that AND a table of contents WITH content warnings for each work? I am here for this.
Diving into the chapbook collection itself, I have to say that I really, really enjoyed how the prose pieces in this collection really popped against the poems. They both break each other up and complete each other, coming together to form this beautiful cacophony that makes this collection work.
I will discuss some of my favorites poems. While I enjoyed the prose, many of the poems in this collection really hit hard and fast, and that's where I want to focus most of the feedback for this book.
"Generation Renewed" is one of the poems that leapt out at me. I actually read it, went back to see the trigger warnings, then went and reread it. The content warning tags dissociation and paranoia (from a certain perspective). To me, it read as the poem's speaker clutching at reality, understanding how tenuous that grasp can be. It speaks to how piecemeal reality really is, but there's a truth there. Paranoia that's justified because beneath the thin veneer there is TRUTH.
"Old Friends and Strangers" is another poem that spoke to me on a deeper level. This is most likely because I had a friend like the person described in the poem. Shared experiences help people identify with others, and while I would never wish that sort of experience on someone, it's always nice to know that we are not alone.
Honestly, though, out of the entire collection, the "Reprogramming" poems (4 in all) were some very high highlights for me. There's a simplicity and raw vulnerability to them that strips the reader bare and inserts itself, sticking with the reader long after the book has been put on the shelf (the electronic shelf, in my case). Integrating code in the poem's body gives it the appearance of seeing behind the curtain. We are given a glimpse into the coding that makes the person move. Maybe it's because I dabble in code, but it just speaks to me in a way that other wording wouldn't. Reprogramming 4.0 literally brought me to tears. It was beautiful.
Overall, I would highly recommend this chapbook, especially if you're into innovative and interesting expression through more than just what's normally seen. The author does an amazing job of bringing together pieces that shouldn't work, but using them to weave a gory, messy, exquisite work of pain, beauty, and life.
If it's any indication, you can see that I started and finished this collection of poetry and prose in less than a day. Yes, that is how good it was. As soon as this work began, I knew it was going to be for me. I LOVE poetry that incorporates different writing and seeing poetry that experiments with coding and what that means in a technological aid is one of my favorites. Also, the layout experimentation just added so much to the messages and themes of the chapbook. Just beautiful.
All that AND a table of contents WITH content warnings for each work? I am here for this.
Diving into the chapbook collection itself, I have to say that I really, really enjoyed how the prose pieces in this collection really popped against the poems. They both break each other up and complete each other, coming together to form this beautiful cacophony that makes this collection work.
I will discuss some of my favorites poems. While I enjoyed the prose, many of the poems in this collection really hit hard and fast, and that's where I want to focus most of the feedback for this book.
"Generation Renewed" is one of the poems that leapt out at me. I actually read it, went back to see the trigger warnings, then went and reread it. The content warning tags dissociation and paranoia (from a certain perspective). To me, it read as the poem's speaker clutching at reality, understanding how tenuous that grasp can be. It speaks to how piecemeal reality really is, but there's a truth there. Paranoia that's justified because beneath the thin veneer there is TRUTH.
"Old Friends and Strangers" is another poem that spoke to me on a deeper level. This is most likely because I had a friend like the person described in the poem. Shared experiences help people identify with others, and while I would never wish that sort of experience on someone, it's always nice to know that we are not alone.
Honestly, though, out of the entire collection, the "Reprogramming" poems (4 in all) were some very high highlights for me. There's a simplicity and raw vulnerability to them that strips the reader bare and inserts itself, sticking with the reader long after the book has been put on the shelf (the electronic shelf, in my case). Integrating code in the poem's body gives it the appearance of seeing behind the curtain. We are given a glimpse into the coding that makes the person move. Maybe it's because I dabble in code, but it just speaks to me in a way that other wording wouldn't. Reprogramming 4.0 literally brought me to tears. It was beautiful.
Overall, I would highly recommend this chapbook, especially if you're into innovative and interesting expression through more than just what's normally seen. The author does an amazing job of bringing together pieces that shouldn't work, but using them to weave a gory, messy, exquisite work of pain, beauty, and life.
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