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ebbafdahlin's review
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
elliotvanz's review
3.0
I liked this but I didn't love it. The language and forms Kahn plays with in this volume are highly minimalist and spare. At a glance this collection might appear to fall into the insta-poet category, but there is a complexity here that can at turns surprise and others bewilder. This collection very much had a unifying theme holding the work together and many of the poems felt in conversation with one another, which I appreciated. These poems are raw and visceral, coming from a place born of deep romantic wounds and lingering trauma. The poems that worked for me were like being blindsided by a quick punch between the eyes. The ones that didn't just sailed on by with no connection at all. There were few that were in between.
lavender_ani's review
2.0
Although I think this is technically better than Lili's Swimming Lessons, this just didn't resonate with me on the same level. I like the way Kahn was experimental with the form and her more abstract style, and yet... The content itself felt very obvious to me. And I do not wish to be rude; I hope you will enjoy it. But the content often read like something a 14 year-old would write in their notebook after their first "heartbreak" when they think they have the truths of the world. And even though it was written in 1st person, the poetry simple didn't feel personal. At all times it felt distant and I found no heart in it. If beauty is emotion, I cannot call this beauty, because I found no emotion and there was no impact.
taliabasma's review
medium-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
I really don't want to be a poetry snob especially because poetry is very fluid and I myself am an amateur poet. However, lately, there has been a lot of "Instagram poetry" that I just don't find engaging or creative. I'm not saying all Instagram poetry is "bad" but I think they are mostly very identical. Like this isn't any different than reading random snippets of Kaur's poetry or some other online poets. Some poems outshine others, but these all come together as easy (for a lack of a better word) feminist poetry. I almost didn't even write a review because I know how all of this sounds but there really isn't a nice way to explain my thoughts on this. I had bought it with high hopes but wish I'd read a poem or two first.
lasloh's review
5.0
Throughout this entire collection I was trapped in a state of limbo between wanting to clap and scream "hell yes" and wanting to wrap my arms around myself and cry. This is genius prose that everyone should read. Powerful words, gripping topics, and raw honesty ripple through each poem and I don't think there's a single one I could pick out to like more or less than the others. I entreat everyone to read Elaine Kahn’s "Romance or The End", it's absolutely brilliant and reflective.
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