A review by secre
The Poet by Louisa Reid
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Poet is a novel that made me feel deeply uncomfortable and that is a credit to the author. It's not my usual type of novel; I enjoy poetry but tend to like it to be neat, rhyming and closed. This is not the case here. This is messy, tangled and yet has a form all of it's own and it shines a light on the messy, tangled relationship at the heart of the novel. It's lyrical and poignant, yet unnerving as it highlights the toxicity and abuses of power. It's not an easy novel to read, and it may well come with echoes of your own trauma as you read it. But it's a worthwhile read.
The narrative comes through clearly. As do the emotions; the anger, the hurt, the pain and the loneliness. In few words it captures how bad relationships can make you feel small, unworthy, not good enough. There are several homages to other notable literature, but the very personal and individual story is what stands out. The imagery stands out and makes you feel the rawness and the brokenness, even as it is also a tale of strength and of revenge.
The narrative comes through clearly. As do the emotions; the anger, the hurt, the pain and the loneliness. In few words it captures how bad relationships can make you feel small, unworthy, not good enough. There are several homages to other notable literature, but the very personal and individual story is what stands out. The imagery stands out and makes you feel the rawness and the brokenness, even as it is also a tale of strength and of revenge.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship