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stefhyena's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Another case in point for why I have learned not to give a star rating to poetry (I learned this late, the ones I rated were ones I read before I realised this).
I did not even remotely understand this book at first, I had to warm into it slowly and I am still not sure if that is because it got better as it went or because I acclimatised to it. By the end it was glowing for me. I was stopping to read poems slowly, aloud (I don't know what my son thought about that when I got up at 5am and read poems aloud to myself). I was rereading passages, pages or whole poems. So beautiful...but also at times difficult and I did not always get into them.
What is better? A poem that strikes a chord and makes a deep truth obvious so that you go "yes! yes! me too!" or a poem that confuses you, then draws you in, has wordplays and hints at truths you can't even grasp yet but start to want to? This book was more the latter- but it did also have physical words and experiences, especially toward the end and I love that in a poem as well!
I did not even remotely understand this book at first, I had to warm into it slowly and I am still not sure if that is because it got better as it went or because I acclimatised to it. By the end it was glowing for me. I was stopping to read poems slowly, aloud (I don't know what my son thought about that when I got up at 5am and read poems aloud to myself). I was rereading passages, pages or whole poems. So beautiful...but also at times difficult and I did not always get into them.
What is better? A poem that strikes a chord and makes a deep truth obvious so that you go "yes! yes! me too!" or a poem that confuses you, then draws you in, has wordplays and hints at truths you can't even grasp yet but start to want to? This book was more the latter- but it did also have physical words and experiences, especially toward the end and I love that in a poem as well!
veecaswell's review against another edition
3.0
A poetry collection that leaves you slightly unsettled, deep in thought and enchanted by the array of vocabulary, Plot certainly doesn't leave you with a literary hole to fill.
A use of language that's displayed throughout with such force, this book is certainly a stunning way to share the fear, anxiety and emotional toll of having a baby - the inside of Liv's brain is put to paper with incredible feeling and certainly feels like something that the author needed to write for herself.
Different styles and techniques allow for the poetry to really grab you, I particularly found the 'boxed' style poems really interesting and unique, however this whole collection is certainly delivering a variety of poetic styles that make for an intriguing read.
However I do think this collection just wasn't for me, I think sometimes it felt confusing and though I appreciate the language and think I have a wide vocabulary, I've never felt so at sea with trying to figure out the meaning sometimes of certain words and fully understand what the intent of the author was.
overall a really thoughtful, emotional collection of poetry.
(Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC for review).
A use of language that's displayed throughout with such force, this book is certainly a stunning way to share the fear, anxiety and emotional toll of having a baby - the inside of Liv's brain is put to paper with incredible feeling and certainly feels like something that the author needed to write for herself.
Different styles and techniques allow for the poetry to really grab you, I particularly found the 'boxed' style poems really interesting and unique, however this whole collection is certainly delivering a variety of poetic styles that make for an intriguing read.
However I do think this collection just wasn't for me, I think sometimes it felt confusing and though I appreciate the language and think I have a wide vocabulary, I've never felt so at sea with trying to figure out the meaning sometimes of certain words and fully understand what the intent of the author was.
overall a really thoughtful, emotional collection of poetry.
(Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC for review).
clapton_pond's review against another edition
5.0
I rarely read poetry but when I do, I make sure it's Claudia Rankine. Sublime.
introvertsbookclub's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
3.5
This is the kind of writing that it is difficult to believe came from the mind a fellow human being. It is complex and layered and difficult at times, but it is also rooted in some of the most common emotions and experiences.
It is an immersive exploration of pregnancy and impending motherhood. It is so rare to read writing about doubting motherhood or questioning whether it is something that you want, so it still feels refreshing and affirming to read. The fear of losing a sense of self and identity to all-encompassing motherhood was expressed in such a unique way and yet felt like it was conveying something almost universal.
The collection is definitely one that you need to take your time with and reread, and I wonder what I will find if I pick it up again.
It is an immersive exploration of pregnancy and impending motherhood. It is so rare to read writing about doubting motherhood or questioning whether it is something that you want, so it still feels refreshing and affirming to read. The fear of losing a sense of self and identity to all-encompassing motherhood was expressed in such a unique way and yet felt like it was conveying something almost universal.
The collection is definitely one that you need to take your time with and reread, and I wonder what I will find if I pick it up again.
litany's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25