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tothemoonandback's review
5.0
read for autobiographical creative writing. definitely one of my new favorite books, the writing is a completely immersive experience, and i have honestly never felt so heard in a piece of literature before.
bookstobarbells's review
4.0
Wow. I absolutely adored this collection. Right from the start, you can see that Price is not going to shy away from things that are hard, things that are complicated, and things that are taboo. Instead, Price dives in head first and forces you to see things from a new perspective.
I really liked the references, the queer-driven plot poems, and the style of the book itself. The references were allusion-forward and often added to the themes or ideas being discussed. Being a pop-culture fiend, I wasn't lost by the mentions, as I had seen some reviews struggling with. The queer focus was also welcomed because it showcased a lot of the identity struggles it presents in modern culture and how it shaped their view of various aspects in life. I also LOVED the format/style. Having art pieces woven through the text and before specific poems made it seem really well planned and thought out.
I didn't give it four stars because I just didn't feel like it was something I'd continue to keep coming to, but I did save a few poems because I loved the structure and styles so much. Also be sure to check for trigger/content warnings, as there are a lot of complicated issues discussed in the text.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
I really liked the references, the queer-driven plot poems, and the style of the book itself. The references were allusion-forward and often added to the themes or ideas being discussed. Being a pop-culture fiend, I wasn't lost by the mentions, as I had seen some reviews struggling with. The queer focus was also welcomed because it showcased a lot of the identity struggles it presents in modern culture and how it shaped their view of various aspects in life. I also LOVED the format/style. Having art pieces woven through the text and before specific poems made it seem really well planned and thought out.
I didn't give it four stars because I just didn't feel like it was something I'd continue to keep coming to, but I did save a few poems because I loved the structure and styles so much. Also be sure to check for trigger/content warnings, as there are a lot of complicated issues discussed in the text.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
deluneth's review
2.0
2/5 I am not sure poetry is really for me! The description was really interesting and the imagery is so vivid! It’s just the style makes it super hard for me to keep up! But definitely really deep and vivid!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC!
bibliotequeish's review
2.0
It is so hard to rate poetry because it is such a personal form of expression.
It feels weird to give a rating to another persons inner most thoughts and feelings.
It feels even worse to give it a lower rating.
This just wasn’t for me.
I found it very abstract and hard to follow.
Someone else could definitely read this and have the poems resonate, but unfortunately it was a miss for me
It feels weird to give a rating to another persons inner most thoughts and feelings.
It feels even worse to give it a lower rating.
This just wasn’t for me.
I found it very abstract and hard to follow.
Someone else could definitely read this and have the poems resonate, but unfortunately it was a miss for me
mallaeuswastaken's review
5.0
I really really loved this.
I like it when poetry sounds like it was written by a person and not a Poet (TM). Price's images are effective and flagrant and bright but are created with simple language and an affinity for the confessional and the conversational.
The poems feel intimate, drawing us into a space of queer love (and sometimes just queer sex) without relegating us to the borderline-cliche status of voyeur.
Throughout, the poems are tinged with an apocalyptic sensibility, into the face of which Price spits, defying despair and reaching instead for something deeper.
Thank you to NetGalley for the proof, and to Price for the poetry.
I like it when poetry sounds like it was written by a person and not a Poet (TM). Price's images are effective and flagrant and bright but are created with simple language and an affinity for the confessional and the conversational.
The poems feel intimate, drawing us into a space of queer love (and sometimes just queer sex) without relegating us to the borderline-cliche status of voyeur.
Throughout, the poems are tinged with an apocalyptic sensibility, into the face of which Price spits, defying despair and reaching instead for something deeper.
Thank you to NetGalley for the proof, and to Price for the poetry.
aserra's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
5.0
A brilliant book from one of the most brilliant poets of the 21st century thus far. The quality of their poetry is comparable to Elizabeth Bishop, Mina Loy, Frank O'Hara--dare I say even Audre Lorde? Price's metaphors and language soar into a realm of distinction set aside from anything else (which I mean in the most positive way). The organization of the book, with the soundtrack, the rituals, the definitions, is glorious.
Price is a necessary, unapologetic voice bellowing their survivor stories, middle fingers up to those who try to censor and marginalize them. The book's description alerts you to the difficult content with which this deals. Don't say you weren't warned. If you can read the book safely, you absolutely should, and should absolutely not punish it for the productive discomfort it may cause.
Written with love and admiration from a fellow survivor xx
Price is a necessary, unapologetic voice bellowing their survivor stories, middle fingers up to those who try to censor and marginalize them. The book's description alerts you to the difficult content with which this deals. Don't say you weren't warned. If you can read the book safely, you absolutely should, and should absolutely not punish it for the productive discomfort it may cause.
Written with love and admiration from a fellow survivor xx
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Minor: Transphobia, Sexual violence, Rape, Mental illness, Child abuse, Racism, Pedophilia, Homophobia, Drug use, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
librarypatronus's review
3.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Northwestern University Press for the ARC of this!
I’m not really a poetry reader, but the cover and description of this just called to me! I really liked that the author referenced so many songs throughout the poems and then identified them in the back, I’d caught a few but definitely not all of them. Overall, it didn’t really click for me as a reader but I can see other people liking it. It was weird (as expected), and pretty heavy, so go in carefully if you might be triggered.
I’m not really a poetry reader, but the cover and description of this just called to me! I really liked that the author referenced so many songs throughout the poems and then identified them in the back, I’d caught a few but definitely not all of them. Overall, it didn’t really click for me as a reader but I can see other people liking it. It was weird (as expected), and pretty heavy, so go in carefully if you might be triggered.
justabookholic's review
4.0
Their first full-length collection, Price’s candid and unflinching lyricism seeks to mark you; deeply and indelibly. These poems are not made of comforting purple prose, but rather provide an unclouded mirror reflecting a veracity that is unmistakingly Americana. Exploring queer sexuality and gender identidy, C. Russell Price writes of their resilience and grief as well as of fury and pain.
Trigger/Content Warnings: rape/sexual assault, child abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, homophobic language, and gun violence
Thank you NetGalley and Northwestern University Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Trigger/Content Warnings: rape/sexual assault, child abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, homophobic language, and gun violence
Thank you NetGalley and Northwestern University Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!