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randi_jo's review against another edition
5.0
Minor: Rape
mandareads222's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
kim3040701's review against another edition
4.0
Minor: Rape
cassiecraycray's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Abortion
pand_books's review against another edition
2.0
- while Halsey does bring up important topics that are personal to her, - feminism, abortion, abusive relationships, etc. - the execution of these topics is not the best.
- the ideas for these poems are great...
- ... but they could do with stronger imagery, more self-reflection, fewer fluff/cutting of lines, more thoughtful line breaks, and more unique use of diction.
- these poems, unfortunately, read like first drafts. I know that's a harsh critique (and my apologies to the poet) but I see the potential there. With some more editing, I could see these poems being stronger and getting their point across in a more impactful way.
- the poet tells us directly in lines and even in the title what the poem is "about" as if we may not get the message. instead of showing us what the poem is "about," letting the reader piece it together with the elements used throughout the poem, the poet jumps the gun and tells the reader outright - perhaps there isn't enough imagery or poetic devices for the reader to see the message.
- lots of use of cliche metaphors and similies.
- cannot get over the lines: "But my head down / on a mattress / famous actress / and she skrrrt'n me" (American Woman, 64).
While I gave this two stars, which I rarely do, there are a few select poems worth reading from this collection. The two stars are because so much was lacking from the collection as a whole.
Poems worth reading from this collection:
- The Professional
- Lullabye
- The Painter
- Fun Girl
- The Cave
Graphic: Sexual violence and Abortion
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
fadeddpages's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Alcohol
earthflesh's review against another edition
1.75
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Mental illness
Minor: Child death
emmehooks's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Drug use and Miscarriage
siriface's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
jbabbm's review against another edition
3.75
I read this while also listening to it at the same time which allowed me to experiment how Halsey actually meant the poems to be read instead of just providing a rhythm for them myself.
Halsey is actually, from my opinion, a great songwriter and singer and a lot of her poems were reminiscent of her songs for me. However, some of the poems in here did seem to me to diverge from the common theme and mood of the collection. Additionally, the audiobook version does add or skips words as well as excluding one whole poem from the narration.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, and Miscarriage