Reviews

The Descent of Alette by Alice Notley

tjasa_f's review against another edition

4.0

Unlike anything I've ever read. I'd play this if it were an rpg tbh.

sophiejuhlin's review against another edition

5.0

Absolutely one of my favorite volumes of poetry. Powerful, mythic, writhing imagery in a dreamlike hellscape that every girl ever should sink her teeth into. Read this when you're sick and lonely and dangerous, read this when you're too comfortable and want to grow horns again.

Let me know when you wanna borrow it.

(And the punctuation isn't so bad at all, once you adapt to her rhythm.)

keight's review against another edition

4.0

I’ve tried and failed to get into two other Alice Notley books but was handed this one and told to “ignore the quotes”… on my second try I was able to focus and follow Alette into the depths of decaying subway stations on a mission to destroy the tyrant, a representation of masculine supremacy. Read more on the booklog

pjb314's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

jennamcclendon's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

renmarshallbrown's review against another edition

5.0

Wow.

venti's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

“‘Only your own blood” “is on you now” “is on you now,’” / “he said” “‘It washes” “his away’”

julziez's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

oneironaut's review against another edition

5.0

though i read this a few years back, it has stuck with me ever since then. notley's work just shook me to the bone, exploring whole sides of my psyche i didn't even know i had. not only is this a type of writing that absolutely should be brought back into existence (there aren't enough epic poems being written anymore), but the feminist stand point is just perfect for this work. i'm obsessed. been meaning to read it again ever since.

afroabsurdist's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25