laurelinwonder's review
5.0
The only reason I am glad this was a short chapbook is because the content herein is volatile. So much is covered, from women's rights to our bodies, to racism, to motherhood, mental illness, and ultimately coming to find a way to love oneself the way we all deserve -- even if we don't know it. Thought provoking, and not for the closed minded, unless you are willing to learn, as all of us should be.
mconant's review
4.0
"Hearing the Underwater" is full of rich imagery on heavy topics. I recommend this book.
I received a copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
jaclyn_sixminutesforme's review
3.0
This is a really unique and short collection that immerses (or submerges is maybe more appropriate given title) the reader into a feminist discussion about various issues including motherhood, reproductive rights and identity.
My personal favorite from the collection was “Because you asked about love, I’ll tell you” - I loved the imagery and breathless feel reading it.
Definitely one to check or if you like feminist poetry and experimental structure (the piece entitled “Erasure poem from Virginia Woolf’s ‘The Voyage Out’” was really interesting in this regard)
My personal favorite from the collection was “Because you asked about love, I’ll tell you” - I loved the imagery and breathless feel reading it.
Definitely one to check or if you like feminist poetry and experimental structure (the piece entitled “Erasure poem from Virginia Woolf’s ‘The Voyage Out’” was really interesting in this regard)
carlasofiaferreira's review
4.0
A mesmerizing collection well worth rereading. I loved and learned from Slone's poetry. Looking forward to returning to this book.
Update: Did return to this book and still love it!
Update: Did return to this book and still love it!
sarah_alexis37's review
5.0
Breathtaking writing down to the last stanza.
It was very similar to all of the Button Poetry books I have read, and yet Slone's writing style is beautifully raw and all her own. Her diction is so thoughtful and creative, and I love how vividly she is able to paint a picture with her words, how she can capture a snapshot with imagery and enjambment. Hearing the Underwater was such an inspiration for me and I definitely think anyone who wishes to become a writer, or anyone who just wants to get into the poetry genre should check out this book!
It was very similar to all of the Button Poetry books I have read, and yet Slone's writing style is beautifully raw and all her own. Her diction is so thoughtful and creative, and I love how vividly she is able to paint a picture with her words, how she can capture a snapshot with imagery and enjambment. Hearing the Underwater was such an inspiration for me and I definitely think anyone who wishes to become a writer, or anyone who just wants to get into the poetry genre should check out this book!
bethsbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
so so so so beautiful, lush descriptions & careful word choices
absolutely in awe of these pieces
some poems i didn’t quite catch the content but hey, all still gorgeous pieces
absolutely in awe of these pieces
some poems i didn’t quite catch the content but hey, all still gorgeous pieces
littlerah's review against another edition
4.0
I was provided with a free advanced reader eCopy of ‘Hearing the Underwater’ in exchange for an honest review. Her collection will be available as of January 4th 2019!
“They leave empowered, and then she sits in her own hypocritical silence. Sitting across from her therapist, she follows up every childhood tragedy with a laugh that might as well be paired with finger guns” (12).
One thing I’m very passionate about is the development and showcasing of young writers and their work. When Savannah mentioned she was looking for people to read her debut poetry chapbook, I was ready to raise my hand. ‘Hearing the Underwater’ does not disappoint in this and adds to my hope for more voices of young diverse writers.
The collections cover is hypnotic and beautiful, an array of water colours blended into a beautiful ocean. Different from many collection covers these days with their simplicity, Slone does not try to be anything but herself. You take your first breath.
Readers are welcomed into a dedication that sets up the entire piece, “for all the selves I’ve been and will be,” Slone reminds readers of her age, and her growth as a person. ‘Hearing the Underwater’ is a development of ideas, beliefs and of language itself as she experiments with style and form. Her writing is politically stirring as she maintains a strong and consistent voice. I can imagine her writing spoken word poetry as well.
“We see the delicate peach pits
in the urns of your overall
pockets. We hear your
shadow. The watercolour
humming of bees
and their kazoos make us swallow
the florescent Morse code rot
of our minds’ inner workings” (18).
One thing that I struggled with was a degree of inconsistency, with capitalisation, with incomplete metaphors. With such powerful and stark language, I needed to be sure of the lines and at times it was a struggle. I however would attribute this to the development of writing. Through her collection you can see Slone experimenting with style, with form – some prose poems (Ode to the Uterus stands powerfully), a jump in stanza enjambment. Slone is gaining her voice and this should be applauded as we stand alongside young writers and watch them progress into future selves.
And all of this comes back to the water. Water that polishes our writing, water of the womb that enables us and children much like Slone’s son to grow and develop. You can’t always see the water in the poems, but you can feel it ebbing and flowing. Understand that Slone is hearing the water, and the way it will craft and work with her life, she is listening, and to her, we should be too.
“I turn the doorknob,
to dig for my roots” (21).
Savannah Slone is a queer American writer. Her poetry has appeared in many collections and she serves as a poetry editor for a number of publications. She is developing her sense of style, and her sense of self. Sharp words and powerful opinions, this is just the beginning for Slone who should be watched as she continues to develop her self and her writing. I look forward to more.
“They leave empowered, and then she sits in her own hypocritical silence. Sitting across from her therapist, she follows up every childhood tragedy with a laugh that might as well be paired with finger guns” (12).
One thing I’m very passionate about is the development and showcasing of young writers and their work. When Savannah mentioned she was looking for people to read her debut poetry chapbook, I was ready to raise my hand. ‘Hearing the Underwater’ does not disappoint in this and adds to my hope for more voices of young diverse writers.
The collections cover is hypnotic and beautiful, an array of water colours blended into a beautiful ocean. Different from many collection covers these days with their simplicity, Slone does not try to be anything but herself. You take your first breath.
Readers are welcomed into a dedication that sets up the entire piece, “for all the selves I’ve been and will be,” Slone reminds readers of her age, and her growth as a person. ‘Hearing the Underwater’ is a development of ideas, beliefs and of language itself as she experiments with style and form. Her writing is politically stirring as she maintains a strong and consistent voice. I can imagine her writing spoken word poetry as well.
“We see the delicate peach pits
in the urns of your overall
pockets. We hear your
shadow. The watercolour
humming of bees
and their kazoos make us swallow
the florescent Morse code rot
of our minds’ inner workings” (18).
One thing that I struggled with was a degree of inconsistency, with capitalisation, with incomplete metaphors. With such powerful and stark language, I needed to be sure of the lines and at times it was a struggle. I however would attribute this to the development of writing. Through her collection you can see Slone experimenting with style, with form – some prose poems (Ode to the Uterus stands powerfully), a jump in stanza enjambment. Slone is gaining her voice and this should be applauded as we stand alongside young writers and watch them progress into future selves.
And all of this comes back to the water. Water that polishes our writing, water of the womb that enables us and children much like Slone’s son to grow and develop. You can’t always see the water in the poems, but you can feel it ebbing and flowing. Understand that Slone is hearing the water, and the way it will craft and work with her life, she is listening, and to her, we should be too.
“I turn the doorknob,
to dig for my roots” (21).
Savannah Slone is a queer American writer. Her poetry has appeared in many collections and she serves as a poetry editor for a number of publications. She is developing her sense of style, and her sense of self. Sharp words and powerful opinions, this is just the beginning for Slone who should be watched as she continues to develop her self and her writing. I look forward to more.
bethsbookshelf's review
4.0
so so so so beautiful, lush descriptions & careful word choices
absolutely in awe of these pieces
some poems i didn’t quite catch the content but hey, all still gorgeous pieces
absolutely in awe of these pieces
some poems i didn’t quite catch the content but hey, all still gorgeous pieces
More...