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paige_oliviaa's review against another edition
5.0
Powerful. Humor + heart and soul touching + grounded. Loved this.
sarabearian's review against another edition
This phenomenal collection of poems is unlike anything I have read before. As a published author with an online presence, Kate Baer is familiar with strangers on the internet and their hateful comments or messages. One day Baer decided to transform the ugly messages into something beautiful. Through what she calls “erasure poetry”, Baer took a screenshot of the original message and then erased words to create a poem. She posted the original message alongside the created poem on her Instagram giving new context and meaning to the words. I Hope This Finds You Well is a collection of these erasure poems that are heartbreaking, funny, and empowering. Some of my favorites include “Re: When Chad Is a Dad”, “Re: Your Random Profile”, and “Re: The Male Ego”. I think Kate Baer says it best at the end of the introduction to the book “My hope is that by sharing these pieces we continue to hold on to the truths that sustain us, and when we do encounter the inevitable noise-we tune our ears to hear the song.” -Jenny L.
laurabishopha's review against another edition
4.0
A cutting little book of repurposed prose. Although I love the gorgeous poetry that Baer writes outside of this repurposing, it is pretty clever to see how words so often used to hurt can be changed and not merely silenced but made into something challenging and/ or uplifting of their own. I love that instead of feeling just the hurt or emotion likely caused by the initial message, these redacted poems show challenge me to filter what I hear and the frustrating messaging around me into something more bearable.
rachelcunningham04's review against another edition
2.0
The involvement of hate mail stressed me out I was unfamiliar with this style!
buddha_chic's review against another edition
3.0
A clever and emotionally moving collection of poetry by Kate Baer that uniquely takes written (typically judgmental or disparaging) commentary sent to the author that she transforms by selective erasure into a brand new message - often one of strength, hope, courage or empowerment. I Hope This Finds You Well: Poems is a short and easy read; I finished in a few hours. Highly recommend! (3.5/5 stars.)
ktbee123's review against another edition
3.0
My relationship with Kate Baer’s poetry is so interesting. Now that I’ve read all 3 collections, I can say that she gets better with each one & is definitely a poet to watch.
This collection was clever and enjoyable to read, though I think it is strongest as Instagram poetry. Not sure how I feel about clapbacks to comment section trolls (and politicians) being published in a physical book, but who am I to be a hater?
This collection was clever and enjoyable to read, though I think it is strongest as Instagram poetry. Not sure how I feel about clapbacks to comment section trolls (and politicians) being published in a physical book, but who am I to be a hater?