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polkadotgirl's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars:
Favorite poems in this collection were:
- As a Human Being
- Bullet Points
- Riddle
- Duplex
- A.D.
- Stand
Favorite poems in this collection were:
- As a Human Being
- Bullet Points
- Riddle
- Duplex
- A.D.
- Stand
skrajewski's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A gorgeous collection of poetry that’s full of complex images and statements. Jericho Brown writes of Black, queer love and loss. America’s past and its present. Rape juxtaposed with beautiful flowers. “The opposite of rape is understanding.” I honestly have something to say about every poem in this collection. Makes sense why it won the Pulitzer a few years back. I’ll be sitting with this one—and likely rereading—for a long time.
brice_mo's review against another edition
2.0
I admire Jericho Brown's transparency, but this collection didn't feel like it had too much to offer beyond that.
There weren't too many memorable images or creative linguistic turns, so the poems felt a bit preoccupied with their own "poemness," an issue exacerbated by the poet's staccato delivery on the audio version.
Definitely not a bad book per se, but one that feels bogged down by its own marketing as "bold and important."
There weren't too many memorable images or creative linguistic turns, so the poems felt a bit preoccupied with their own "poemness," an issue exacerbated by the poet's staccato delivery on the audio version.
Definitely not a bad book per se, but one that feels bogged down by its own marketing as "bold and important."
linguinismom's review against another edition
4.0
Blackness, queerness, and intimacy. Brown uses such striking language to keep these topics on my mind for days after reading his poetry. Sometimes heavy, I felt my heart physically sink during some pages. Haunting are the experiences he writes about, leaving me speechless. Jericho Brown reminds me that I would never want to change the life I have now. To embrace the flawless Black skin that I wear everyday. Just like him, I, too, begin with love, hoping to end there.
achilleanshelves's review against another edition
5.0
Every piece in this collection slipped into the next seamlessly. I loved all the mirroring and intentional structuring of the stanzas that made the poems that much more enjoyable to read. The themes of identity in regards to race and sexuality were explored to great effect and it is clear that Brown poured his heart and soul into his words.