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juanjmorales's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
agardenofweeds's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Sean Hill opens his debut poetry collection with a quote from James Baldwin: "The responsibility of a writer is to excavate the experience of the people who produced him," and it is with this quote that Hill illuminates his every observation.
Through the portrayal of a fictional family in his very real hometown of Milledgeville, Georgia, Hill is able to excavate not only the historical past, but the way that past shaped both the Black community he grew up within as well as himself. Spanning six generations and various lyrical forms, this poetry collection is deeply moving in its ability to connect history with both place and the individual (which is always how history is remembered in the first place). Hill manages to be relentless in his adherence to the truth, condemning the effects white supremacy has had on each generation of this fictional family, while never allowing the reader to lose sight of each character's humanity; every character feels held by the hands that wrote them.
Through the portrayal of a fictional family in his very real hometown of Milledgeville, Georgia, Hill is able to excavate not only the historical past, but the way that past shaped both the Black community he grew up within as well as himself. Spanning six generations and various lyrical forms, this poetry collection is deeply moving in its ability to connect history with both place and the individual (which is always how history is remembered in the first place). Hill manages to be relentless in his adherence to the truth, condemning the effects white supremacy has had on each generation of this fictional family, while never allowing the reader to lose sight of each character's humanity; every character feels held by the hands that wrote them.
aliciaprettybrowneyereader's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I first read this poet in the anthology, African American Poetry: 250 Years of Struggle and Song edited by Kevin Young. I was impressed and wanted to read more of his work.
This collection starts with a quote from James Baldwin, “The responsibility of a writer is to excavate the experience of the people who produced him.” Hill gives the reader an insight into the people and places who produced him. He is a Georgia native and the history of the state and region shine through in the poems. He references slavery, lynching and historic events.
The title of the collection is perfect. The poet includes a family tree in the collection amid poems that focus on family.
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