Scan barcode
coleycole's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful. It's been awhile since I read a book of poetry and I'm so glad this was my re-entry.
laughingflowers's review against another edition
The “Duplex” poems hit.
“Steadfast and awful, my tall father
Was my first love. He drove a burgundy car.”
“Steadfast and awful, my tall father
Was my first love. He drove a burgundy car.”
grimmoire's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
lsparrow's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this poetry the way that the lines flowed into each other. He has a very specific style in many of his poems that seem to slip back over itself.
benphillios1978's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Bravo! Jericho Brown earned a Pulitzer for this 2020 collection and captures a contemporary black gay male experience in a way that translates potently for me as a white gay male reader. What an emotional, revealing journey it is! I encourage us all to explore this essential and vibrant voice.
Brown explores the weight of his experience as a gay black man in the age of police violence and renewed evidence of racism. He expresses righteous rage toward police and fury toward aggressors he encounters in his personal life. Brown reflects on his childhood, most particularly his parents’ corporal discipline and the opportunities they missed to
nurture him when the mom-shaped spot in the bed next to him stayed cold.
I appreciate the specificity and vividness of the language, but some moments are repeated with dramatic impact while others fall flat. Perhaps the book could be trimmed a bit. Please read this Important book and decide for yourself.
Certainly, none of these critiques kept me from greatly appreciating this visceral and thought-provoking work, which seers many distinct memories in my mind exactly as it is! So many moments resonate with me because despite apparent differences Brown and I share key characteristics and common concerns. 4.5/5
Brown explores the weight of his experience as a gay black man in the age of police violence and renewed evidence of racism. He expresses righteous rage toward police and fury toward aggressors he encounters in his personal life. Brown reflects on his childhood, most particularly his parents’ corporal discipline and the opportunities they missed to
nurture him when the mom-shaped spot in the bed next to him stayed cold.
I appreciate the specificity and vividness of the language, but some moments are repeated with dramatic impact while others fall flat. Perhaps the book could be trimmed a bit. Please read this Important book and decide for yourself.
Certainly, none of these critiques kept me from greatly appreciating this visceral and thought-provoking work, which seers many distinct memories in my mind exactly as it is! So many moments resonate with me because despite apparent differences Brown and I share key characteristics and common concerns. 4.5/5
dominiq_ec's review against another edition
I just can't read poetry collections at the moment. Maybe I'll pick it back up another time!
anitralee's review against another edition
5.0
I first borrowed this from the library, then bought a copy because I will have to mull over these for years.