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zoeelisabeth's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
1.5
thewordwitch's review against another edition
4.0
A worthwhile read
This isn't a collection to consume all at once. You have to go slow with it and give it time to stew so you can think over her words. Wanda Coleman has a unique rhythm and voice that I loved reading. The words aren't to be taken lightly though. They are hard topics that force you to come to grips with what is inside yourself.
This isn't a collection to consume all at once. You have to go slow with it and give it time to stew so you can think over her words. Wanda Coleman has a unique rhythm and voice that I loved reading. The words aren't to be taken lightly though. They are hard topics that force you to come to grips with what is inside yourself.
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
5.0
I was not familiar with Wanda Coleman or her work before picking this up, so I really am grateful for the introduction to such a beautiful, powerful and skilled poet, I am only annoyed (but sadly not surprised) that it’s taken so long for these to be published in the UK, but thank you to penguin for finally giving Wanda the spotlight she deserved, albeit sadly so long after her passing. Wanda was so talented and had a such an incredible and powerful use of language, she writes intimately and beautifully about inequalities, racism, sexism and human nature, all drawn from her own experiences. These poems will touch you so deeply, you won’t necessarily connect with them all, but you don’t have to feel connected to appreciate the skill and craft in the poems. You won’t always connect as deeply because you haven’t lived these experiences, you can only empathise but not fully understand, but it makes these no less power or beautiful. I am thankful for the introduction to Wanda Coleman,I highly recommend that you pick this up and experience her work yourself, you will only be the better for it
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
taliabasma's review against another edition
Just wasn’t my vibe at this time but still intriguing enough to have gotten that far
greeniezona's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
4.5
I picked this up just because it was on my favorite bookseller's rec shelf at Hooked. And I would like to know HOW HAD I NEVER HEARD OF WANDA COLEMAN BEFORE? Her frank writing, especially about the perpetually exploitive systems of poverty, blew me away.
I wrote down lots of favorite poems to return to and read again, but a few highlights were the anxiety/vulnerability of "Giving Birth," the heartbreak of "Emmett Till," the playfulness/wistfulness of "Thiefheart."
What people talk about when they call poetry powerful.
I wrote down lots of favorite poems to return to and read again, but a few highlights were the anxiety/vulnerability of "Giving Birth," the heartbreak of "Emmett Till," the playfulness/wistfulness of "Thiefheart."
What people talk about when they call poetry powerful.
strabbyfieldz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I don't think I've ever read a poet so fervently, so intensely. Coleman's work is absolutely unlike any other because she expresses herself so fully, entirely. I am so happy to have access to such works and it is a crime that I have never heard of her lyrical mastery until this point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Child death, Colonisation, Self harm, Ableism, and Chronic illness