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kyarabereading's review
emotional
sad
fast-paced
4.0
I don't often read poetry collections, so I was really excited to check this one out. It is beautifully written, it is tragically painful, it is overwhelmingly reflective - I loved those things about Beastiary. I'll admit that I don't know enough about the animals referenced in this poetry collection, and I think if I knew more, it would help me understand Kelly's poetry more profoundly. I gave it a pretty quick read, so I'm hoping to re-read it, spend a little bit more time with it, and do some research as I read so I can understand it further. I look forward to the day I pick this book up again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
james1star's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
I did enjoy reading this poetry collection, Kelly uses animals and mythical creatures throughout to put forward various messages and topics. As someone not too experienced with poetry, there were some that I didn’t quite understand but for the most part I could extrapolate meaning. They are all well crafted and poetic (who’d of guessed) so is a pleasant experience. However, the author does touch on some TW topics like child abuse, sexual abuse, sexual content, sexuality, mental health and others but is done so from a personal perspective that really connects with the reader. I personally didn’t get too much of the ‘love’ aspects the collection stated in its synopsis but maybe I’m not able to fully comprehend the nuances?? Not sure and I also felt the ending was slightly rushed with little structure - but obviously it doesn’t need to do so being a collection and Yhh… ignore me
Some quotes that spoke to me:
‘When they cover their legs,
I can feel beautiful, too.’
‘Fences break a landscape
the way a body makes
a road’
‘You hate your loneliness
as you hated yourself as a child. You are bored
with your hatred.’
‘Each body is a body on display…’
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual content, Child abuse, Incest, and Pedophilia
Minor: Self harm, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
dianahincureads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest and Rape
Moderate: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Body horror, and Abandonment
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