Reviews

Inferno: A Poet's Novel by Eileen Myles

bananapudding's review against another edition

I faded out during the end of the first part through the beginning of the second part, but the second half ish of the book really brought me back and they wrote a lot of really interesting things. Really enjoy Myles’s voice 

micki138's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

katlouisee's review against another edition

2.0

eh, I can't really say that it had all the lesbian fantasy missing from OKCupid as there was only maybe half a chapter of it. The book definitely reinforced the stereotypes of poet culture as a bit dithery, pretentious, and fanciful, but there were also some interesting bits to think about and some relatable moments. Was not a fan of the level of detail that the dog killed the hedgehog then emptied its bowels in but we move. I liked the ending to be fair. All in all, not bad, glad I got it from the audible plus catalogue rather than outright

jnelsontwo's review

funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ruby_fiora's review against another edition

funny inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

"There's a moment in a woman's life when she discovers she can have sex with as many people as she wants. Suddenly everyone is a potential partner. That's when men get in the act which is why lesbianism isn't really a thing it's just this unbridled lust. It's like god. If writers are the only people, I mean the last ones who have lives lesbians are the only people who have sex. There's a point at which you know this."

Just really delicious prose. Myles takes her time to tell this story, allowing it to weave in and out and meander. At times I did find it dragged a little, other times it was so good it made my mouth water. Overall I'm very glad to have read it & to have gotten a small glimpse into both Eileen's life and the poetry / art world of mid to late 20th century New York. 

lautir's review

3.0

I don't know if I didn't like this book or if it just wasn't for me.

The whole thing felt all over the place, I wasn't sure what story the author was trying to tell. Myles is definitely a poet, and there were some really great passages that I enjoyed but as a novel I struggled to see how all the random stories were relevant.

It is autobiographical from what I can tell, and it was really interesting to hear about being a poet during the times that Myles lives through but it wasn't enough to hook me on her story.

patroclusbro's review

challenging funny inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Reading Myles always makes want to write; play shamelessly with words. Once again, their writing made me feel less alone and a little dykier.

c0rnflakeg1rl's review against another edition

5.0

yay lesbians!

bonz_authorshipdown's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

fschulenberg's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I went in pretty extreme waves with this book. Strong at first, slow in the middle, and wonderful in the end. One of those books that is kind of about nothing and everything at the same time. Im writing the review 2 days after finishing it - few plot points stick with me but the gist of a woman trying to make things work and trying to understand who she is sticks with me.