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gabalodon's review against another edition
5.0
These poems were beautiful, complex, dark, and unnerving. Best slowly savored.
lsparrow's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book of poetry. I espeically loved the imagry of mythical creatures. The themes of home and love resonated in the poets words.
whatsmacksaid's review against another edition
5.0
This is honestly the best collection of poems I've ever read in my entire life. Not hyperbole. It took me weeks and weeks to get through, because every couple of days I'd read or reread a few pages, then go back and do it again. This is the poetry I'll spend the rest of my life pushing and hand-selling to people. Do yourself a favor and buy a copy to keep.
anyacrittenton's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this collection of poetry, mostly because it feels like one where you can see where the author is coming from and the stories she's telling through her poetry, but you can also map your own feelings and experiences onto several of the poems.
willthesecond's review against another edition
5.0
this collection is incredible, maybe even solidified itself in my top 5 poetry collections ive read so far. donika kelly explores deeply from the shadows the holy mysticism and horrors of being an animal with hope. these are some of my favorites:
“fourth grade autobiography”
“hermit thrush”
“how to be alone”
“whale”
“love poem: Centaur” **
“love poem: centaur”
“little box” **
“tender”
“love poem” **
recommended by, beverley sylvester
“fourth grade autobiography”
“hermit thrush”
“how to be alone”
“whale”
“love poem: Centaur” **
“love poem: centaur”
“little box” **
“tender”
“love poem” **
recommended by, beverley sylvester
lisathepoetlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
It has been some time since I picked up a book and refused to stop. In the last few hours of this gray Saturday I have grown with the speaker of these poems and once again believe no matter how wounded we can all learn to love better, deeper and more fearless than we once imagined.
judyapneeb's review against another edition
4.0
"Thought myself body enough for two, for we.
Found comfort in never being lonely."
This collection is gorgeous, heart-breaking, and beautiful.
Found comfort in never being lonely."
This collection is gorgeous, heart-breaking, and beautiful.
genrejourneys's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4/5
TW: SA, Sick Family Member
“Bestiary: Poems” was a wonderful collection dealing with monsters (or what we think are monsters), identity, and love.
While the title suggests a collection documenting animals (possibly monstrous), I found the book is better summarized as a mediation on aspects (both the good and the bad) of monsterhood (both the literal ones and figurative), love, and self identity as a Black girl (and also as an adult). I really appreciated how solidly Kelly woven her connective themes and experiences throughout the collection. Ideas are revisited and revised constantly. The poems specifically named after animals of legend were particular standouts.
This book would be wonderful for anyone interested in its themes or poetry in general, as long as the reader is mindful of the heavier content that the work is tackling.
TW: SA, Sick Family Member
“Bestiary: Poems” was a wonderful collection dealing with monsters (or what we think are monsters), identity, and love.
While the title suggests a collection documenting animals (possibly monstrous), I found the book is better summarized as a mediation on aspects (both the good and the bad) of monsterhood (both the literal ones and figurative), love, and self identity as a Black girl (and also as an adult). I really appreciated how solidly Kelly woven her connective themes and experiences throughout the collection. Ideas are revisited and revised constantly. The poems specifically named after animals of legend were particular standouts.
This book would be wonderful for anyone interested in its themes or poetry in general, as long as the reader is mindful of the heavier content that the work is tackling.