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yasmeexn's review against another edition
4.0
wow each poem and story was so meaningful and powerful. loved the messages.
leigheas's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
i honestly liked it a lot, the writing of the author and the emotions she poured in these poems reached my heart.
i honestly liked it a lot, the writing of the author and the emotions she poured in these poems reached my heart.
carey_78's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
5.0
delilah1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
epic_novella's review against another edition
3.0
When You Ask Me Where I'm Going by Jasmin Kaur is a collection of poetry and prose that explores themes of identity, feminism, and the immigrant experience. While the book contains moments of raw emotion and powerful imagery, it falls short of delivering a truly cohesive and impactful reading experience.
One of the strengths of the book is its unflinching portrayal of the challenges faced by women, particularly women of color, in navigating a world that often seeks to diminish their voices and agency. Kaur's poetry is at its strongest when it delves into the complexities of womanhood, offering moments of insight and empowerment that resonate deeply with readers.
However, the book suffers from a lack of cohesion and thematic focus. The poems and prose pieces feel disjointed and unevenly paced, making it difficult for readers to fully immerse themselves in the narrative. Additionally, some of the themes and messages explored in the book feel repetitive, with certain motifs and imagery reappearing throughout the collection without offering significant new insights or perspectives.
While Kaur's writing is undeniably powerful, the book's execution ultimately feels more like a series of loosely connected vignettes rather than a cohesive narrative arc. As a result, readers may find themselves struggling to engage with the material on a deeper level and may come away feeling unsatisfied with the overall reading experience.
In conclusion, When You Ask Me Where I'm Going is a collection that showcases Jasmin Kaur's talent as a poet and storyteller, but falls short of delivering a truly impactful and cohesive reading experience. While there are moments of beauty and insight to be found within its pages, the book ultimately lacks the thematic focus and narrative cohesion necessary to leave a lasting impression on readers.
One of the strengths of the book is its unflinching portrayal of the challenges faced by women, particularly women of color, in navigating a world that often seeks to diminish their voices and agency. Kaur's poetry is at its strongest when it delves into the complexities of womanhood, offering moments of insight and empowerment that resonate deeply with readers.
However, the book suffers from a lack of cohesion and thematic focus. The poems and prose pieces feel disjointed and unevenly paced, making it difficult for readers to fully immerse themselves in the narrative. Additionally, some of the themes and messages explored in the book feel repetitive, with certain motifs and imagery reappearing throughout the collection without offering significant new insights or perspectives.
While Kaur's writing is undeniably powerful, the book's execution ultimately feels more like a series of loosely connected vignettes rather than a cohesive narrative arc. As a result, readers may find themselves struggling to engage with the material on a deeper level and may come away feeling unsatisfied with the overall reading experience.
In conclusion, When You Ask Me Where I'm Going is a collection that showcases Jasmin Kaur's talent as a poet and storyteller, but falls short of delivering a truly impactful and cohesive reading experience. While there are moments of beauty and insight to be found within its pages, the book ultimately lacks the thematic focus and narrative cohesion necessary to leave a lasting impression on readers.
aradhnak's review against another edition
4.0
This tugs at my heart so much. I will come back with a full review when coherent.
bookswithmaddi's review against another edition
3.0
[3 stars ]
I’m realizing more and more as I delve further into poetry how much I really dislike “Instagram poetry”. I feel like no matter who it’s by it all sounds the same to me. I thought that this collection had a lot of timely, unique, important ideas. I enjoyed reading the pieces on race and injustice (perhaps enjoyed isn’t the right word as they spoke about horrible things, but these were the ones I found the most interesting). I think it’s because it’s a topic I haven’t seen covered much in poetry in the way it was here, at least the poetry I’ve read. I liked how it drew from personal experience, how you could feel kaur’s anger and betrayal through the pages.
My main criticism of this book was the pieces which talked about love and relationships and things along that line; they just didn’t feel original to me. A lot of them felt overdone like I had heard it before in another collection. I spent a lot of this book appreciating her diction and prose but not connecting to it because of the format it was in. I think her writing would be so well suited to a collection of short stories or essays. I would read that so fast. I feel like kaur has really important things to say, and the talent to say it, I just think she wrote it in the wrong medium. I genuinely think short stories or essays would work so well for her writing style.
Also, I realize there actually was a short story in the middle of this and I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I thought it was too short like there was more to be said and it was cut off. I hope kaur continues in this strain of writing in the future.
Overall, I genuinely appreciated this collection. It said very important things, especially about racism and current issues along that strain. Kaur’s voice is an undeniably powerful one. I truly believe she will only get better from here and I can’t wait to see what that is.
I’m realizing more and more as I delve further into poetry how much I really dislike “Instagram poetry”. I feel like no matter who it’s by it all sounds the same to me. I thought that this collection had a lot of timely, unique, important ideas. I enjoyed reading the pieces on race and injustice (perhaps enjoyed isn’t the right word as they spoke about horrible things, but these were the ones I found the most interesting). I think it’s because it’s a topic I haven’t seen covered much in poetry in the way it was here, at least the poetry I’ve read. I liked how it drew from personal experience, how you could feel kaur’s anger and betrayal through the pages.
My main criticism of this book was the pieces which talked about love and relationships and things along that line; they just didn’t feel original to me. A lot of them felt overdone like I had heard it before in another collection. I spent a lot of this book appreciating her diction and prose but not connecting to it because of the format it was in. I think her writing would be so well suited to a collection of short stories or essays. I would read that so fast. I feel like kaur has really important things to say, and the talent to say it, I just think she wrote it in the wrong medium. I genuinely think short stories or essays would work so well for her writing style.
Also, I realize there actually was a short story in the middle of this and I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I thought it was too short like there was more to be said and it was cut off. I hope kaur continues in this strain of writing in the future.
Overall, I genuinely appreciated this collection. It said very important things, especially about racism and current issues along that strain. Kaur’s voice is an undeniably powerful one. I truly believe she will only get better from here and I can’t wait to see what that is.
thebookishunicorn's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful novel in verse that uses poems, short stories, and illustrations to explore many topics such as: domestic abuse, sexual violence, police violence, racism, feminism, living as a Punjabi in white cities, sexism, mental illness (anxiety, depression), self love, and immigration.
I have some of my favorites below:
"i'm not here to be your example of the good girl
until i'm your warning sign for the wayward one"
"this art spans far beyond image.
it has the potential to heal you. to
break you. to expand you. to birth
a new you. your work. your heart.
mean so much more than the
hollow gaze of a hollow audience.
love, the way your art draws air
into your own lungs has always
been reason enough."
"of course pain matters.
but it's not a weapon that should
be pointed at anyone least of all
those who you call loved ones.
the pain explains but
it doesn't justify.
it never justifies."
I have some of my favorites below:
"i'm not here to be your example of the good girl
until i'm your warning sign for the wayward one"
"this art spans far beyond image.
it has the potential to heal you. to
break you. to expand you. to birth
a new you. your work. your heart.
mean so much more than the
hollow gaze of a hollow audience.
love, the way your art draws air
into your own lungs has always
been reason enough."
"of course pain matters.
but it's not a weapon that should
be pointed at anyone least of all
those who you call loved ones.
the pain explains but
it doesn't justify.
it never justifies."