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mikeybjones's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: War, Death of parent, Gun violence, Death, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, and Violence
lizziaha's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Hate crime, and War
Moderate: Homophobia
rhysecakes's review
5.0
Moderate: War, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Cannibalism
tinyjude's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Xenophobia
hngisreading's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Gun violence, Grief, Death, Sexual assault, War, Sexual content, Violence, Sexual violence, and Hate crime
gabbygarcia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
On nearly every page I went back and forth between loving and deeply disliking this book. At times I think it takes itself too seriously, especially in the first half (the second half is stronger, in my opinion). I did enjoy how the whole book felt like one long poem--the themes and verses often spilled into one another, complementing each other in thoughtful ways. However, some of the poems discussed too many things and could have been edited for clarity. They overflowed with so many images that it was hard to keep track of the main subjects. I also found myself frustrated with the way he wrote about women. I can't quite pinpoint why it made me so uncomfortable, but it did.
In his defense, Vuong is a master at crafting perfect lines--though they did not necessarily make whole poems great. Despite that, there are a lot of lines I will be coming back to for a long time, like:
Dear god, if you are a season, let it be the one I passed through / to get here ("Notebook Fragments" was excellent, one of my favorites from the collection)
and:
Know that I never chose/ which way the seasons turned. That it was always October/ in my throat/ & you: every leaf/ refusing to rust
and:
My son, tell them/ the body is a blade that sharpens/ by cutting
and:
Ocean. Ocean--/ get up. The most beautiful part of your body/ is where it's headed. & remember,/ loneliness is still time spent/ with the world.
and:
Red is only black remembering.
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, Drug abuse, Abandonment, Homophobia, Blood, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Racism
penofpossibilities's review against another edition
4.0
"maybe we pray on our knees because god only listens when we're this close to the devil"
"from men, i learned to praise the thickness of walls. from women, i learned to praise. if you are given my body, put it down."
"as if my finger, / tracing your collarbone / behind closed doors, / was enough / to erease myself."
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Grief, Sexual content, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Homophobia
Moderate: Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Minor: Cannibalism