Reviews

Starry Night, Blurry Dreams by Henn Kim

kb_hg's review

Go to review page

4.0

Super cute and simple. Deep feelings and beautiful art

micahbean's review

Go to review page

3.0

I think part of my issue with this book is that it was billed as "graphic poetry". I went into it expecting a genre fusion between graphic novels and poetry, or an artbook with poetry woven in. And while the illustrations are lovely and unique and exactly my brand of surrealism, there's no real poetry in this book. And I don't mean that in a snobbish way, like "real" poetry is something to achieve. I mean this book is full of illustrated scenes and a one-to-six word caption. They're interesting captions, and they often bring new insight into the illustrations, but they're more pun than poetry.

The other thing I would have loved to see in this collection (because from here on out I'll be treating it like a coffee table artbook) is more variety in the people depicted. Every woman in this book looks the same, and while this may likely be a stylistic choice, in a world where people have whale heads sometimes and go to octopus salons, I would really have liked to see any variation in body type, skin tone (yes it's black and white; no that's no excuse), even hair texture. After 300 pages, a skinny pale woman with big boobs and a curvy butt gets boring.

Additionally, my favorite art books are the ones with some overarching plot or narrative, and although there were a couple of 3 to 4-part storylines, there really wasn't anything more lasting.

Overall: 7/10, mostly just disappointed.

(I received a free copy of this book through netgalley in exchange for my honest review. thank you!)

sophierenee's review

Go to review page

reflective

4.0

sopranoreader's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

fritzh8u's review

Go to review page

2.0

An Instagram highlights reel in print

zinzee's review

Go to review page

2.0

I am very conflicted about how I feel about this book. On one hand, I love it and on the other, I don’t. Essentially I am angry at this collection and let me explain why. This book is marketed as a poetry collection when it isn’t that at all. I would describe this as an art collection. The artwork with stunning it gave you all the feels. However, the single sentences placed on the pages are simply not poetry. It was more like quotes or affirmations. My rating for this book is a reflection of being a critique of the genre and not of the enjoyment of this book.

vanessa_issa's review

Go to review page

5.0

One of the best graphic poetry books I've ever read. Henn Kim is a complete artist. Her illustrations can hold so many feelings. I've seen her art before on social media, but this was the first time I actually had contact with her words and I could see how everything is connected. I loved it! Totally recommend it!

* Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

saladarussa's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

lattes_lipstick_literature's review

Go to review page

4.0

*A Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this. This is my honest and unbiased review*

Hello Fellow Readers,

I've never heard of visual proetry, but I am so glad I decided to pick this up. Kim's artwork is superb and definitely created to trigger an emotional response, just like most written poetry would. I related a lot to what Kim drew and surprised myself at the fact that I responded so strongly to it. I did spend quite a long time staring at each picture and marveling over the different details that when into each piece. This is definitely a wonderful book to add to any poetry or art collection.

Overall, a wonderful and visually entertaining book.

venusinlove's review

Go to review page

lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

3.5

some of these are truly amazing! i had some really funny jokes about some of the art in this book but sadly i can't attach any of the pics i took. so you can imagine my very funny jokes about me and my whalien 52 whale. <3 

something about the whole book is so unique and i think it's the black and white tones.