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susanearlam's review
5.0
Really enjoyed this. A mash up between Margaret Atwood and Shirley Jackson but poetry. Domestic horror done well ✅
michael_benavidez's review
5.0
Lady of the House is special. It is greatly unique. In a sea of indies Grace Reynolds goes about telling a story in a way that's all her own. Allowing her voice to shine without the constraints of normal storytelling. The structure is still there, of course. But is elevated by the way she decided to tell it.
A series of poems with the occasional recipe (the likes of which leads to an expected punchline that still manages to hit it's mark), detailing the emotional turmoil of our main character.
With the poetry allowing her to indulge in flowery prose, we get a guided tour of the emotional response of the narrator. And that's what this is. While we're told what's happening for the added context of what's she's feeling, the focal point is the emotions. Expressed in a way that's a punch in the gut distraught with sprinkles of dark humor, this is a very powerful book.
Despite the more abstract metaphors, there's never a moment where the reader is confused. Using the poems to seamlessly give reason within rhymes, we're fully on board with what's happening.
The imagery is much like the lemonade in this book, sweet flowery language detailing bitter and angry hurt.
One of my most anticipated books of the year (no exaggeration) this did not disappoint.
I do hope I made sense in this because this book deserves to be read. It's unique in the way it's told, it is greatly written, powerful, and darkly funny.
A series of poems with the occasional recipe (the likes of which leads to an expected punchline that still manages to hit it's mark), detailing the emotional turmoil of our main character.
With the poetry allowing her to indulge in flowery prose, we get a guided tour of the emotional response of the narrator. And that's what this is. While we're told what's happening for the added context of what's she's feeling, the focal point is the emotions. Expressed in a way that's a punch in the gut distraught with sprinkles of dark humor, this is a very powerful book.
Despite the more abstract metaphors, there's never a moment where the reader is confused. Using the poems to seamlessly give reason within rhymes, we're fully on board with what's happening.
The imagery is much like the lemonade in this book, sweet flowery language detailing bitter and angry hurt.
One of my most anticipated books of the year (no exaggeration) this did not disappoint.
I do hope I made sense in this because this book deserves to be read. It's unique in the way it's told, it is greatly written, powerful, and darkly funny.
emilyruthverona's review
5.0
Reynolds has done an extraordinary thing with Lady of the House. I've never read another poetry collection like it. The narrative really resonates and her writing is riveting. Read it!
bucher_freund's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
This poetry collection tells a complete story in three parts: Resent, Descent, Content. It follows Lady, a former WWII riveter turned dissatisfied housewife, as her unhappiness with her marriage and her place in the world festers. I enjoyed the taut emotions, the vivid imagery, and the desperately violent inner thoughts Reynolds conveys in Lady. A fast, sharply fashioned poetry narrative highly recommended for horror poetry enthusiasts.
sinceslicedbread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
maddys_needful_reads's review
5.0
Lady of the House is a narrative poetry collection about a 1940s woman trapped in the role of housewife, struggling with her marriage. We see her descent as her frustration and anger fester within the confines post-WWII society and her feelings of isolation.
Normally I read poetry collections slowly - one or two poems a day, let them stew, read another the next day - but I could not put this collection down. The narrative made me want to keep reading to find out what happens to the Lady and her husband, and I read it in a day. My favorite poems are "Nickel Finish," "Nightmare," and "Cadaver."
The poems themselves are modern, but their structures still have elements of traditional form. Each poem matches the Lady's mental state at the time, so some are frustrated and rambling, some are stilted and angry, some are elegant and feminine. They are all raw, and even the rambling poems are methodical rather than chaotic. I also love that some poems are accompanied by recipes.
The narrative element makes this a great collection for someone new to poetry, but I recommend it to anyone who loves dark poetry, horror, or a deep dive into mental illness. You may also appreciate this collection if you are interested in the life of the post-WWII housewife, but be prepared for a different experience than that of June Cleaver.
Normally I read poetry collections slowly - one or two poems a day, let them stew, read another the next day - but I could not put this collection down. The narrative made me want to keep reading to find out what happens to the Lady and her husband, and I read it in a day. My favorite poems are "Nickel Finish," "Nightmare," and "Cadaver."
The poems themselves are modern, but their structures still have elements of traditional form. Each poem matches the Lady's mental state at the time, so some are frustrated and rambling, some are stilted and angry, some are elegant and feminine. They are all raw, and even the rambling poems are methodical rather than chaotic. I also love that some poems are accompanied by recipes.
The narrative element makes this a great collection for someone new to poetry, but I recommend it to anyone who loves dark poetry, horror, or a deep dive into mental illness. You may also appreciate this collection if you are interested in the life of the post-WWII housewife, but be prepared for a different experience than that of June Cleaver.
hailstorm3812's review
dark
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Probably enjoyable for people who like poetry. Unfortunately I do not (The back doesn't specify poetry and the person who recommended it didn't tell me lol) There was a few that I actually liked and the concept is very fun. I do wish that she hadn't killed her husband's mistress as I feel it takes away from the structural pressures she was succumbing to and makes it more about being cheated on.
enchantressreads's review
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
“You say I am not a bird trapped in a cage, but you were the one who clipped my wings.“
The Lady of the House takes care of her man. She feeds him, launders his clothes, and washes the dishes.
But who takes care of Lady?
She’s had enough. Through poetry and recipes, we follow Lady’s discontent in her unfulfilling marriage. We watch her go through and live through trauma. And we watch her handle it.
This poetry collection had me in tears. A lot of us can relate to Lady—she’s taken advantage of. She’s under appreciated. She’s not allowed to live her own life.
All for a man, with another woman’s perfume on his collar.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, and Mental illness
roxiethebookslayer's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
LADY OF THE HOUSE
Grace R. Reynolds
Curious Corvid Publishing
December 15, 2021
“I hope when you think
Of me, you walk past mirrors
That show your decay.” –Mirrors
Some pain is multi-generational.
LADY OF THE HOUSE is an ode to women everywhere who have felt trapped by the man in their life. Unequal, unworthy, reduced to a house servant in her own home, Lady festers and ferments. Part reverie part Silvia Plath love song, Reynold’s strings words like a bow–tight and resinated.
Personal favorites:
Chicken Noodle Soup
Mercy
Nickel Finish
QTip Knowledge
Melodies of Pain
Mirrors
Words I learned:
Hoary - greyish white
Abysm - a poetic term for abyss
Genuflected - a quick kneel of respect
Filemot - brown color like a dead leaf
Grace R. Reynolds
Curious Corvid Publishing
December 15, 2021
“I hope when you think
Of me, you walk past mirrors
That show your decay.” –Mirrors
Some pain is multi-generational.
LADY OF THE HOUSE is an ode to women everywhere who have felt trapped by the man in their life. Unequal, unworthy, reduced to a house servant in her own home, Lady festers and ferments. Part reverie part Silvia Plath love song, Reynold’s strings words like a bow–tight and resinated.
Personal favorites:
Chicken Noodle Soup
Mercy
Nickel Finish
QTip Knowledge
Melodies of Pain
Mirrors
Words I learned:
Hoary - greyish white
Abysm - a poetic term for abyss
Genuflected - a quick kneel of respect
Filemot - brown color like a dead leaf
More...