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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
A powerful collection of 77 poems (for the city's 77 neighborhoods) spanning +300 years of Chicago history. Written in the vein of historian Howard Zinn; a different version of events from what one might find in other stories of Chicago history. Not a comprehensive retelling, but an interesting selection of significant events in the city's history. No one gets off easy here, especially the city's mayors. Knowledge of Chicago history will help, but not required to access the work. Essential reading for all Chicagoans.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
informative
fast-paced
Poetry should not be guzzled. It's not munched like junk food. A person should savor it. Let it roll around the palate. The aroma should suffuse the mind and with each bite, the tongue and teeth should enjoy the texture of each phrase.
Kevin Coval understands that. And this his history works best with someone who takes their time, listens, and feels the experience of what this city has been and could become.
Kevin Coval understands that. And this his history works best with someone who takes their time, listens, and feels the experience of what this city has been and could become.
Wow thoughtful and real. Well researched and presented as very genuine and sentimental. At times the poems read as a bit repetitive, and at other times a bit redundant. He is very endearing. The project shows that his love is for the city and the people who created it, but at times the affection seems to be centered on his own wording than the actual history. Also- and I know this isn't so fair- I really really wanted this to be an actual people's history text as opposed to poems about the narrative of Chicago. Nonetheless, very worth the read! I will certainly come back to this many times throughout my life. Especially during the winter months when I need to be reminded why Chicago is unlike any other place on earth.
Really great provocative poetry, best poems are towards the end of the collection. Lovely art as well
these poems are truly extraordinary and thought-provoking. i definitely want to read more from kevin coval - he writes so intimately, and his poems have such a great rhythm to them. the visual presentation of the poems also works very well. i knew i would enjoy this collection when i read the foreword written by chance the rapper (he just loves to talk about chicago so gd much haha). i've learned a lot about chicago, more than i could probably ever gain from a history textbook.
UPDATE: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/column-kevin-coval-out-at-young-chicago-authors-following-controversy-over-handling-of-sex-assault-allegations/ar-BB1ehTYk
so he was outed as executive director of YCA after he ignored sexual assault allegations, it kind of changes my opinion of some of the poems in this book, like "hugh hefner, a Play Boy". idk how to feel, it just puts a sour taste in my mouth.
UPDATE: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/column-kevin-coval-out-at-young-chicago-authors-following-controversy-over-handling-of-sex-assault-allegations/ar-BB1ehTYk
so he was outed as executive director of YCA after he ignored sexual assault allegations, it kind of changes my opinion of some of the poems in this book, like "hugh hefner, a Play Boy". idk how to feel, it just puts a sour taste in my mouth.
more poetry bashing of rahm emmanuel please. it needs to be an entire genre on it's own.
coval's "a people's history of Chicago" is split into its distinct 77 poems for its unique communities. maybe I'm just a bit poetry burnt to enjoy this more but i can recognize the heart put into this. it's clear coval has a strong understanding of the city and their communities.
chief keef's epiphany at lollapoolza ranks high on my favorite from the bunch.
coval's "a people's history of Chicago" is split into its distinct 77 poems for its unique communities. maybe I'm just a bit poetry burnt to enjoy this more but i can recognize the heart put into this. it's clear coval has a strong understanding of the city and their communities.
chief keef's epiphany at lollapoolza ranks high on my favorite from the bunch.