Scan barcode
njdarkish's review against another edition
2.0
I had a lot of trouble following the free-flowing thoughts of a lot of these poems. I'm talking Joycean levels of stream of consciousness. I thought that was unfortunate, because many poems had really great lines with great, fresh images (even if I felt like I had no context for them), and a couple poems really worked for me, like "Depression for Catholics" and "Can Three Be God Without Ghosts?"
aloonamuna's review against another edition
3.0
She Used to Be on a Milk Carton reads like a mess of words that somehow compell you to continue turning the page. Some of these poems are pure gold, carefully constructed verses that twist your soul. Two especially beautiful poems are "Dark Matters" and "Oh, Adored Cadaver". Kailey Tedesco has a wonderful way with words, spinning then in such a way that everything is not as it seeks. You'll have to dig deep into this poetry, delve past what it appears, so you can get to the core of what Tedesco means. There are times when the ramble of words make little sense, but I promise, these poems will surely make your heart twist. With themes of the female experience, religion, birth, and the abstraction of life, you'll delve deep into the meaning of life, the enormity of the universe, and the unpredictable pattern of living.
It wasn't my favorite collection of poetry, but there were a few poems that managed to captivate me, and even feel the deep rumble of emotion.
It wasn't my favorite collection of poetry, but there were a few poems that managed to captivate me, and even feel the deep rumble of emotion.
thejosiemarie's review against another edition
4.0
It was very reminiscent of Milk and Honey, but unique all the same. If you’re riding the poetry train, add this one to your cargo!
mothgender's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The collection is full of vivid imagery. It was a little too religious for my tastes, but then again I probably should have read the description a little closer. I'm not a fan of the first 30 or so pages but the poems get a lot better as you get further into the book. I think this book could have been better, but I would love to read more from this author in the future.
The collection is full of vivid imagery. It was a little too religious for my tastes, but then again I probably should have read the description a little closer. I'm not a fan of the first 30 or so pages but the poems get a lot better as you get further into the book. I think this book could have been better, but I would love to read more from this author in the future.
lifeinpoetry's review against another edition
5.0
A witchy series of poems on Catholic girlhood. The witchiness and references to Mary felt natural amongst the poems on media devoured by teenage girls such as My Girl, The Virgin Suicides, and Flowers in the Attic. Films that both haunted and defined the adolescence of many and to see poems on them was a gift.. My favorite poem was the first in the collection, "The Space Before Crossing Over," the last few stanzas helped set the tone and beckoned me into the collection. I devoured this enchanting book in one sitting.
jessicabeckett's review against another edition
4.0
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Review also found here.
As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.
Up until the release of She Used to Be on a Milk Carton, I'd heard very little about author Kailey Tedesco. After reading it in one sitting (the collection itself is short but packs a serious punch), I just can't imagine why. Compared to her contemporaries, there's something about her that stands out. She Used to Be on a Milk Carton was unlike anything I've read in recent memory.
Tedesco's prose is a mix of darkness and whimsy; an honestly unique and tantalizing series of poems that feels part fairy-tale, part Neil Gaiman, part Rupi Kaur. Kailey Tedesco hits her stride about mid-collection and provides her readers with a steady flow of intricate tales told in the form of poetry. It feels classic in many ways. It feels feverish at times. And that is what drew me to it.
Honestly, words cannot describe how incredibly tense and thoughtful the reading experience was when it came to this particular collection. I dare not try because even a world of praise cannot bring justice to it.
(This isn't to say it had no flaws or weak points. There were a couple of poems that I could have done without.)
I loved the way each poem started with something that may-or-may-not be recognizable to readers. It includes other forms of literature or real-life occurrences (in the case of one, the mysterious Elisa Lam's disappearance and death) that keeps the prose entangling itself into the readers mind. What stands out about She Used to Be on a Milk Carton, more than its general uniqueness, is the focus that you have to have while reading it.
I thought that the brief illustrations found surrounding the prose was a great addition to an already strong collection. It added something to it without taking away the attention from Tedesco's work. Whitney Proper shines in her own right.
In short, it's an experience that almost ends too quickly for my taste. Kailey Tedesco's words are the very sort you want to soak yourself in; embrace their Gothic tone and imagery, lose yourself in the whimsical nature and shadows. There's something unsettling to the atmosphere readers will find in She Used to Be on a Milk Carton and that surely won't be for everyone--but for many, this will mark the beginning of a longstanding love affair of Tedesco's prose and mind.
As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.
Up until the release of She Used to Be on a Milk Carton, I'd heard very little about author Kailey Tedesco. After reading it in one sitting (the collection itself is short but packs a serious punch), I just can't imagine why. Compared to her contemporaries, there's something about her that stands out. She Used to Be on a Milk Carton was unlike anything I've read in recent memory.
Tedesco's prose is a mix of darkness and whimsy; an honestly unique and tantalizing series of poems that feels part fairy-tale, part Neil Gaiman, part Rupi Kaur. Kailey Tedesco hits her stride about mid-collection and provides her readers with a steady flow of intricate tales told in the form of poetry. It feels classic in many ways. It feels feverish at times. And that is what drew me to it.
Honestly, words cannot describe how incredibly tense and thoughtful the reading experience was when it came to this particular collection. I dare not try because even a world of praise cannot bring justice to it.
(This isn't to say it had no flaws or weak points. There were a couple of poems that I could have done without.)
I loved the way each poem started with something that may-or-may-not be recognizable to readers. It includes other forms of literature or real-life occurrences (in the case of one, the mysterious Elisa Lam's disappearance and death) that keeps the prose entangling itself into the readers mind. What stands out about She Used to Be on a Milk Carton, more than its general uniqueness, is the focus that you have to have while reading it.
I thought that the brief illustrations found surrounding the prose was a great addition to an already strong collection. It added something to it without taking away the attention from Tedesco's work. Whitney Proper shines in her own right.
In short, it's an experience that almost ends too quickly for my taste. Kailey Tedesco's words are the very sort you want to soak yourself in; embrace their Gothic tone and imagery, lose yourself in the whimsical nature and shadows. There's something unsettling to the atmosphere readers will find in She Used to Be on a Milk Carton and that surely won't be for everyone--but for many, this will mark the beginning of a longstanding love affair of Tedesco's prose and mind.
glitterandtwang's review against another edition
4.0
I received access to this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a delightful collection of poetry - especially if you're a pop culture obsessive. There are poems here that reference Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a poem for Elisa Lam, and one of the greatest concepts I've heard in a while, "The Planets Star in a Burlesque." "Mood Ring," which provides instructions for the color-changing gem in such a ring, is by far my favorite piece, though it's difficult to choose just one. Some people are wary of pop culture references in writing, but the allusions here are not just gimmicks; they're deliberately crafted to serve the function of each poem.
Whitney Proper's illustrations are lovely, but not necessary - the writing could have stood just as well on its own.
This is a delightful collection of poetry - especially if you're a pop culture obsessive. There are poems here that reference Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a poem for Elisa Lam, and one of the greatest concepts I've heard in a while, "The Planets Star in a Burlesque." "Mood Ring," which provides instructions for the color-changing gem in such a ring, is by far my favorite piece, though it's difficult to choose just one. Some people are wary of pop culture references in writing, but the allusions here are not just gimmicks; they're deliberately crafted to serve the function of each poem.
Whitney Proper's illustrations are lovely, but not necessary - the writing could have stood just as well on its own.
balancinghistorybooks's review
1.0
I downloaded this from Netgalley as it looked intriguing, but it simply wasn't for me. I am a fan of contemporary poetry, but the imagery in Tedesco's collection was incredibly strange. It felt as though the poet was trying too hard to be different. Despite it being short, I couldn't bring myself to read it in its entirety.
aquapages's review
1.0
Confusing poetry collection about going from girl to a woman, birth, death and everything in between with a lot of references to vampires and blood and bodies. Would not recommend it for people who are not really into poetry and want something unique. My biggest problem is how quickly the poems turn from chaotic into structured in format, I've seen many saying they liked the last part best, as it's most structured. Personally I would've liked to see one or the other throughout the collection.
More...