Reviews

The Way of the Earth: Poems by Matthew Shenoda

geekwayne's review

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3.0

‘The Way of the Earth: Poems’ by Matthew Shenoda is a collection of poems with some common themes.

With themes of the temporal and temporary, nature and culture are explored. Memory of loved ones and social injustices interweave with scenes of nature. “Time,” Shenoda says “never goes back but the imagination must.’

I feel like I would have benefitted from reading more than once, or perhaps taking the time to contemplate the work longer. There is a profoundness here that eluded me.

smolbean_reads's review

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4.0

Thank you Netgalley & Northwestern University Press for a copy of this ARC in return for an honest review.

These are the kind of poems that you don't just read once and rush to the next page, you want to read through them a few times, sinking into the depth and meaning of them. There are warm poems in this collection exploring the fleeting and mysterious yet beautiful nature of life; rich descriptions of landscapes and wildlife and everyday scenes that form like memories in the mind's eye. And there are jarring, heartfelt poems that look at the themes of loss and crisis. Shenoda's writing style is rich and emotive, whilst also feeling quiet and meditative.

I also really like the cover of this edition, it's really beautiful and would look good on any shelf.

readsbynikkip's review

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challenging dark fast-paced

3.5

ameliareads_'s review

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reflective fast-paced

3.0

taylorjayne's review

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reflective relaxing

3.0

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