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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
The right medium but a questionable form, Couplets hampers Maggie Millner’s immense talent with the constraints of rhyming couplets.
Narratively, this is great, and much of the poetry is strong, but there are many effective images and lines that seem hamstrung by the need to force their syntax or closing word into the sing-songy, Dr. Seuss-like rhyme scheme. Perhaps it’s an intentional decision to evoke the absurdity of love—that every move towards eros reaches for depth while undermining itself. Perhaps not. Either way, I’m eager to see more of Millner’s work in the future, albeit in a setting where it can generate the form it needs.
Narratively, this is great, and much of the poetry is strong, but there are many effective images and lines that seem hamstrung by the need to force their syntax or closing word into the sing-songy, Dr. Seuss-like rhyme scheme. Perhaps it’s an intentional decision to evoke the absurdity of love—that every move towards eros reaches for depth while undermining itself. Perhaps not. Either way, I’m eager to see more of Millner’s work in the future, albeit in a setting where it can generate the form it needs.
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
fast-paced
this was a quick and relatable reflection on a lot of important topics such as love, life experiences and queerness
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i enjoyed this. very much in the style of maggie nelson, whom I love. felt just a smidge whiney in tone, or like a self-centered sad search. which is fine, but simply not my favorite. well written. good story. i especially enjoyed the bit about how her love life is not more profound than anyone else's (that is to say, not at all). an interesting idea, a balance between the infinitely heavy and consuming importance of a love life to the actor, with an inherent frivolity to all others. what can we bring with us in talking about love and dating? can the pursuit of love bring people to something larger, as she quotes. but even further than that, what's larger than love? why is it a sidequest to general concepts of "truth" or "justice," etc.. not to be discounted. also feels misogynistic. or I suppose, love for love's sake historically is something explored mainly by women, as men historically use women as tools or passages towards other more noble realizations. interesting. will think about this more.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
emotional
fast-paced