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stephen_reads's review
2.0
Why has everyone been recommending this book as the pinnacle of creative non-fiction?
It even reminded me that I could be reading a much better book that aimed to accomplish a similar goal (Derek Jarman’s ‘Chroma’).
Not a 1 star simply because the language was gripping enough to keep me reading, but otherwise this was such a miss.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Suicide, Medical trauma, and Grief
Minor: Ableism
siebensommer's review against another edition
75. Mostly I have felt myself becoming a servant of sadness. I am still looking for the beauty in that.
a lot to ponder
but i struggled w feeling detachment from the depth of feelings in this one
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Alcohol, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
stuffinmybrainhole's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
katepowellshine's review
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Medical trauma
penofpossibilities's review
5.0
Graphic: Medical trauma, Mental illness, Animal death, Sexual content, and Misogyny
Moderate: Suicide and Grief
Minor: Ableism
lcyarnall1's review
4.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
dylan2219's review
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content and Medical trauma
laraamaee's review against another edition
4.25
As an eighteenth birthday gift, my friend bought me Bluets from the famous Shakespeare and Company in Paris. For this reason, and for my own lifelong, intrinsic connection to the colour blue, Bluets is extremely precious to me. (Although, apparently, according to Nelson, half of American adults also describe blue as their favourite colour. As a British just-turned-adult, can I count myself out?) Well, actually, Bluets stayed on my bookshelf for several months until I got a chance to read it, despite its short length, because I knew that it would shake me to my core. I mean, my poet friend must have gifted it to me for a reason.
So yes, maybe I came in with the preconceived notion that I would like this book. But I was indeed proved right. Nelson's series of 240 intertwining prose poems about heartbreak, sex, caring for her friend with quadriplegia, and of course, the colour blue, were so succinct yet sharp. 'Saturated', perhaps, with both the intense calm and reassurance of a blue ocean, but also the deep, dark blue of loneliness and depression.
This is my first time reading Nelson, and what I thoroughly enjoyed was her honesty and self-assured style of writing. Many moments in the book struck me, made me put it down and reflect or just sit in awe, as good poetry usually does. However, what I wasn't expecting was so many references to other people, mainly philosophers. Often, Nelson quotes these people and uses them to somewhat loosely tie them into her arguments/considerations. Like, I'm sorry, but after studying Literary Theories at uni, I don't necessarily want to bump into Jacques Derrida when I don't have to. But maybe this is a me thing.
I would recommend this mostly to people who are going through a hard time, especially a breakup. I think it would resonate with them most. (And also fellow blue lovers.)
Moderate: Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Blood
christinereichard's review
4.0
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident, Medical trauma, and Mental illness
annikaa's review
5.0
Moderate: Car accident, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol