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A review by cstefko
For Your Own Good by Leah Horlick
5.0
It always feels lame to describe a work as "powerful," but honestly, that's the best way to put it here. Powerful, important, necessary, and more. Horlick harnesses the power of her voice to speak about an issue (abuse within queer relationships) that isn't often discussed, even in LGBTQ communities, as well as to speak out against the racism she's experienced as a Jewish woman. But they don't feel like ~issue~ poems, if you know what I mean (not that there's anything wrong with those). They feel like someone you care about is opening up to you, trusting you with the toughest moments of their life. This is confessional poetry at its finest.
It's pretty impressive how the poems are so strong on their own, yet still combine to form such a vivid, cohesive story. I liked all the references to circuses and tarot (TRC fans, holla). And y'all know how much I love poetry that evokes the region it came from.
Some standout poems for me were "Apprentice,""Horoscope," and "Anniversary." I don't want to quote anything because I want everyone to read this collection :3
Also just want to give a quick shoutout to independent bookstores, because if I didn't visit bookstores like Powell's and Elliott Bay Book Company, both of which had great feature sections on Pacific NW authors, I never would have found this book. (Y'all know I love my B&N, but the poetry section is so, so lacking.) I wish I'd had more time to explore EBBC, but I went on the day they had the Bruce Springsteen signing, and it was a madhouse :O But yes, kudos to them for featuring local and marginalized voices.
It's pretty impressive how the poems are so strong on their own, yet still combine to form such a vivid, cohesive story. I liked all the references to circuses and tarot (TRC fans, holla). And y'all know how much I love poetry that evokes the region it came from.
Some standout poems for me were "Apprentice,""Horoscope," and "Anniversary." I don't want to quote anything because I want everyone to read this collection :3
Also just want to give a quick shoutout to independent bookstores, because if I didn't visit bookstores like Powell's and Elliott Bay Book Company, both of which had great feature sections on Pacific NW authors, I never would have found this book. (Y'all know I love my B&N, but the poetry section is so, so lacking.) I wish I'd had more time to explore EBBC, but I went on the day they had the Bruce Springsteen signing, and it was a madhouse :O But yes, kudos to them for featuring local and marginalized voices.