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soupdumpling's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
It feels wrong to give something (so gut-wrenching, authentic, personal, words I can't think of right now?) like this a rating. To be queer, Palestinian, non-binary, raised in amerikkka, and more -- George Abraham puts so many experiences onto paper and shares such intimate thoughts.
Normally I'm able to list several poems that I really enjoyed but the entire book needs to be read all together. I borrowed this from my local library but I will definitely be purchasing my own copy soon.
Normally I'm able to list several poems that I really enjoyed but the entire book needs to be read all together. I borrowed this from my local library but I will definitely be purchasing my own copy soon.
elleneam's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A beautiful collection by Palestinian poet George Abraham. I love the way they discuss Palestine and the impact of imperialism with such rage and honesty. The way they expertly balance bleakness, defiance, and inspiration. The way he draws a line from himself back through the generations of struggle that came before him in so many of their poems.
“To laugh after being put on the watchlist, say finally you fuckers – to be a laughing-in-God’s face type of immortal-
To lean into the light, as if it was jealous enough to take us back; as if we weren’t ancestored before even drawing our first breaths-“
tsedi's review
5.0
the most moving book ive read in a minute,, here’s some things i’m thinking ab without giving details away.
this book “owe[s] nothing to Truth,” but everything to memory, so the writing is real inventive (at one point they call it an exhibit, which i def see). it feels like breaking apart and piecing together george abraham’s memories and familial histories with them; i often found myself holding my breath. (transformational) repetition, erasure, mirroring, contradiction, and borders appear very literally in the structure of these poems, reflecting how abraham feels their shifting experiences as a queer Palestinian-American.
the collection also translates (is always translating) and curses zionist tactics imbued in a lot of dialogue about Palestine. reflects on how language chosen by israel and americans especially has erased, warped, justified, and weaponized reality. it addresses the dangers of viewing the ongoing nakba and genocide with learned helplessness/as solely a watered down political talking point. instead, birthright roots out unambiguous humanity outside of the hyper strength/resilience/needing to prove yourself narrative (!!!), familial + spiritual + corporeal/biological impacts, living & mourning, longing + relation to queer love and fear, and the many intimate violences of colonialism while keeping Palestinians’ liberation at the center.
outside of the review of the book — part of the moving power for me is the familiar history and “central contradiction” for children of brutal diasporas/born as a result of exile/forced migration. im thinking about south africa ofc, but there’s something larger to be said about the future of long-standing Black and Palestinian connection and solidarity; idk yet. the thank you to Black writers Danez Smith, Terrence Hayes, and DéLana Dameron really brought that to mind for me. so did
“?reverse in read to hardest history isn’t
?repetition in digest to hardest it isn’t”
(isn’t history hardest to read in reverse? isn’t it hardest to digest in repetition?)”
birthright is a big rec if you learn/feel deeply from experimental poetry (poetry as critical theory and history! art/imagination as a part of tangible change! and outside of the colonial imagination— read his poem ekphrasis on a fragmented nationalism.) reminded to let guilt, grief, and rage be catalyzing emotions— another fav quote below:
“if i let this become an elegy, that means i failed.” this exhibit comes with a call to action, responsibility to life, and a lot a lot a lot of love.
there’s so much more that birthright had me wanting to say/hear, but this is a long ass review already. also! he has this set of instructions about reading in the end that i wish i read before the book started so look there if u want! it’s better to read from abraham than me, and tbh the book might be read better fresh with none of my notes — but if you want my copy, let’s share and talk more
this book “owe[s] nothing to Truth,” but everything to memory, so the writing is real inventive (at one point they call it an exhibit, which i def see). it feels like breaking apart and piecing together george abraham’s memories and familial histories with them; i often found myself holding my breath. (transformational) repetition, erasure, mirroring, contradiction, and borders appear very literally in the structure of these poems, reflecting how abraham feels their shifting experiences as a queer Palestinian-American.
the collection also translates (is always translating) and curses zionist tactics imbued in a lot of dialogue about Palestine. reflects on how language chosen by israel and americans especially has erased, warped, justified, and weaponized reality. it addresses the dangers of viewing the ongoing nakba and genocide with learned helplessness/as solely a watered down political talking point. instead, birthright roots out unambiguous humanity outside of the hyper strength/resilience/needing to prove yourself narrative (!!!), familial + spiritual + corporeal/biological impacts, living & mourning, longing + relation to queer love and fear, and the many intimate violences of colonialism while keeping Palestinians’ liberation at the center.
outside of the review of the book — part of the moving power for me is the familiar history and “central contradiction” for children of brutal diasporas/born as a result of exile/forced migration. im thinking about south africa ofc, but there’s something larger to be said about the future of long-standing Black and Palestinian connection and solidarity; idk yet. the thank you to Black writers Danez Smith, Terrence Hayes, and DéLana Dameron really brought that to mind for me. so did
“?reverse in read to hardest history isn’t
?repetition in digest to hardest it isn’t”
(isn’t history hardest to read in reverse? isn’t it hardest to digest in repetition?)”
birthright is a big rec if you learn/feel deeply from experimental poetry (poetry as critical theory and history! art/imagination as a part of tangible change! and outside of the colonial imagination— read his poem ekphrasis on a fragmented nationalism.) reminded to let guilt, grief, and rage be catalyzing emotions— another fav quote below:
“if i let this become an elegy, that means i failed.” this exhibit comes with a call to action, responsibility to life, and a lot a lot a lot of love.
there’s so much more that birthright had me wanting to say/hear, but this is a long ass review already. also! he has this set of instructions about reading in the end that i wish i read before the book started so look there if u want! it’s better to read from abraham than me, and tbh the book might be read better fresh with none of my notes — but if you want my copy, let’s share and talk more
brompton_sawdon's review
4.0
At times this collection of poems are particularly hard to read given the content. The verse is personal, filled with emotion. It makes you realise how hard it must be to live in a land where you have no say in your affairs.
nuhafariha's review
3.0
Thank you to Button Poetry and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available April 7th!
In "Birthright", Palestinian American poet George Abraham cultivates a sense of mania. He speaks eloquently about loss, hope and ultimately captures a truth about living. Living in a country that renders you invisible, living in a state that renders you an enemy, living in a culture that considers your mental health and sexual orientation a blasphemy. Each poem is saturated with energy and love, a deep respect for his Palestinian heritage and a strong appreciation for American spirit. A great collection from a rising poet!
Available April 7th!
In "Birthright", Palestinian American poet George Abraham cultivates a sense of mania. He speaks eloquently about loss, hope and ultimately captures a truth about living. Living in a country that renders you invisible, living in a state that renders you an enemy, living in a culture that considers your mental health and sexual orientation a blasphemy. Each poem is saturated with energy and love, a deep respect for his Palestinian heritage and a strong appreciation for American spirit. A great collection from a rising poet!