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books_and_cha's review
3.0
To be honest, a lot of these poems were out of my depth. While I understood what was happening in most of them, and I liked a few as well, I was at as loss to understand the rest. Who was Lem? How did he die? Did Beulah's dad rape her or did her mother stop him? Was she happy with Thomas? Why was Willemma so important to Beulah? So many unanswered questions. That being said, the poems are good. I enjoyed them. Some were dark, others sad but also beautiful.
raloveridge's review
5.0
Shoot. Jeannine told me I should read this, given the current trajectory of my thesis, and she wasn't wrong. These poems are elegant imaginings of Dove's family history rendered in such an understated way. Offering the two halves of the story of Thomas and Beulah, the book paints such a stark picture of Depression-era and WWII family life. I'm going to have to work my way back through this again.
afro8921's review
it was a really quick read. I was startled by the change in voice between thomas and beulah. It's amazing how two people in a relationship can see things so differently.
katyclynn's review
5.0
How to make me sob: walk me through a love story from the first light of day to the death of the last star.
deborahplace's review
3.0
3.5 stars
This is a very good collection of poetry. A two part narrative, one detailing the life of Thomas and the other of Beulah's. Their lives together, their shared moments exposed in different perspectives, the more personal, contemplative moments between the narrator and the reader. However, and this is entirely my fault, I didn't love it because I don't enjoy poetry. I find it difficult to connect to and leave feeling cold or touched by a few lines at best. I read the collection on its own first and left a little lost. I found a documentary on YouTube with Dove detailing the lives of her grandparents and explaining the poems before she read them. I needed the historical and personal context to understand and enjoy her work. I also think I like poetry more read aloud. A new discovery! Overall, I'm glad I gave it a chance and I'm excited to hear her speak at my graduation!
This is a very good collection of poetry. A two part narrative, one detailing the life of Thomas and the other of Beulah's. Their lives together, their shared moments exposed in different perspectives, the more personal, contemplative moments between the narrator and the reader. However, and this is entirely my fault, I didn't love it because I don't enjoy poetry. I find it difficult to connect to and leave feeling cold or touched by a few lines at best. I read the collection on its own first and left a little lost. I found a documentary on YouTube with Dove detailing the lives of her grandparents and explaining the poems before she read them. I needed the historical and personal context to understand and enjoy her work. I also think I like poetry more read aloud. A new discovery! Overall, I'm glad I gave it a chance and I'm excited to hear her speak at my graduation!