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reba_reads_books's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure how to rate this. Some poems felt like taking medicine. Others felt like swallowing a blessing at church. I didn't follow some of the language, similar to how I can't follow some of e.e. Cumming's language. But I still love e.e. Cummings for what of his work I do get, and that's how I feel about Sharon Olds too. As far as I can tell, the popular critical reviews of this text are written by men criticizing the legitimacy of a woman's experience being left for another woman, implying a collection-length work about a woman's divorce is emotionally indulgent, and insensitive to her ex-husband's emotions to boot. Needless to say, this is one of those times I am very grateful for Goodreads... showing me that highbrow sexism is alive and well.
zombiezami's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
4.5
I like how this book incentivizes you to slow down. That might not be unique and is actually just an aspect of poetry in general. But poetry as a craft is not something I thought about that much before meeting my wife.
It took vulnerability for this author to reveal her messy feelings to the world, thoughts that I have thought during heartbreak as well. The idea of sharing that with anyone, let alone complete strangers you'll never meet, is very scary to me. It's one of those books that reveals the beauty and comedy within sadness.
It took vulnerability for this author to reveal her messy feelings to the world, thoughts that I have thought during heartbreak as well. The idea of sharing that with anyone, let alone complete strangers you'll never meet, is very scary to me. It's one of those books that reveals the beauty and comedy within sadness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Moderate: Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, Gaslighting, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent, Cursing, and Death