A review by jenmachin_
Feminine Gospels by Carol Ann Duffy
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Just a brief review.
Another gorgeous poetry collection by Carol Ann Duffy. I loved 'Bees' too. As soon as I saw this collection I had to pick it up and I wasn't disappointed.
Not quite as good as 'Bees' in my opinion, but the poem 'The Laughter of Stafford Girls High' really brought up my rating and, although I initially found it intimidating in its length, I found it really beautiful.
The message I got from it is that laughter is freeing, particularly women's laughter. The unity created by it helps them find themselves and achieve their goals. The female community uplifts and inspires them. The teachers initially try to repress it, upholding matriarchal values, but they too are influenced and find freedom. It also represents a beautiful queer relationship which I particularly enjoyed.
She describes laughter in the most poetic ways. My favourite was as 'a cauldron of noise' where 'the classroom came to the boil with a brothy mirth,' but I also loved how she describes it as 'like distant thunder, the opening chord of a storm.'
I also really enjoyed 'The Diet' which really touched on female beauty standards. A quick quote is "skipping breakfast, lunch, dinner, thinner".
The others were also lovely, but these two really touched on me the most, and I highly recommend you checking them out!
Overall I rated it 4.5⭐ out of 5!
Another gorgeous poetry collection by Carol Ann Duffy. I loved 'Bees' too. As soon as I saw this collection I had to pick it up and I wasn't disappointed.
Not quite as good as 'Bees' in my opinion, but the poem 'The Laughter of Stafford Girls High' really brought up my rating and, although I initially found it intimidating in its length, I found it really beautiful.
The message I got from it is that laughter is freeing, particularly women's laughter. The unity created by it helps them find themselves and achieve their goals. The female community uplifts and inspires them. The teachers initially try to repress it, upholding matriarchal values, but they too are influenced and find freedom. It also represents a beautiful queer relationship which I particularly enjoyed.
She describes laughter in the most poetic ways. My favourite was as 'a cauldron of noise' where 'the classroom came to the boil with a brothy mirth,' but I also loved how she describes it as 'like distant thunder, the opening chord of a storm.'
I also really enjoyed 'The Diet' which really touched on female beauty standards. A quick quote is "skipping breakfast, lunch, dinner, thinner".
The others were also lovely, but these two really touched on me the most, and I highly recommend you checking them out!
Overall I rated it 4.5⭐ out of 5!