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andthatsonliterature's review
4.0
I feel like poetry is something that really taps into your emotions because it’s usually written from a personal space. It takes a courageous spirit to open up about their life and share it with people all over. I believe the author did an amazing job telling her story in prose. I felt like I was on a never ending emotional roller coaster as I read through each poem. The author strung together vivid images to reveal her troubled childhood and how she managed to survive. I appreciate the author’s honesty about her childhood. Her story shows people that everyone’s life isn’t all roses. Reading this was like listening to my favorite album, front to back with no skips. Beautifully written, each poem was better than the last.
runningjenw's review
3.0
This poetry collection is full of pain, explanation, and understanding. The theme of generational trauma weaves throughout and leaves the reader wondering if indeed home was survived or even survivable. The poems read like a fever dream and a memoir and beg to be studied and pulled apart.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC of this book.
tayler_liberationislit's review
4.0
Content Warning: Child Abuse and Neglect, racial trauma
I read Surviving Home in one Day. About 100 pages of poetry filled with trauma and abuse. There weren't many poems that were hopeful to counteract the pain, but that is intentional and powerful. We shouldn't have to add sweetness to make other people's pain palatable.
"My pain is sculpted into art for you to consume" is one of the poems that best summarizes the collection. Katerina Canyon turns her painful memories into art. This is why she doesn't have to add poems about hope or love. She is already turning her pain into something beautiful.
Reading these poems were powerful, but sometimes the really fanciful words took something out of it for me. They almost become a way of distance. But dissociation was also a theme within these poems, with the use of the first, second, and third person. These were ways to distance from all the pain.
I also like all the nature comparisons. We are animals, and we have similar habits. Survival and destruction are natural things.
I definitely recommend this poetry collection. Let it be pain turned into art that pushes us to do something, and not just another thing for us to look at and thank the universe our lives aren't filled with that pain.
I read Surviving Home in one Day. About 100 pages of poetry filled with trauma and abuse. There weren't many poems that were hopeful to counteract the pain, but that is intentional and powerful. We shouldn't have to add sweetness to make other people's pain palatable.
"My pain is sculpted into art for you to consume" is one of the poems that best summarizes the collection. Katerina Canyon turns her painful memories into art. This is why she doesn't have to add poems about hope or love. She is already turning her pain into something beautiful.
Reading these poems were powerful, but sometimes the really fanciful words took something out of it for me. They almost become a way of distance. But dissociation was also a theme within these poems, with the use of the first, second, and third person. These were ways to distance from all the pain.
I also like all the nature comparisons. We are animals, and we have similar habits. Survival and destruction are natural things.
I definitely recommend this poetry collection. Let it be pain turned into art that pushes us to do something, and not just another thing for us to look at and thank the universe our lives aren't filled with that pain.
readbylola's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Surviving Home by: Katerina Canyon (IG: @poehtickat )
Thank you to Katerina Canyon & Book Publicity Services for this gifted copy of ‘Surviving Home’.
This is a collection of poems that really takes you to a place of reflection and I took my time with it because it is so powerful! Some pieces are so hauntingly beautiful that I found myself re-reading them over & over just to make sure I absorbed all of what was written! I found myself using my highlighter so much that I typically would just keep the top off whenever I sat down to read! I had moments when I had to step away from a piece because I could relate to it in a kindred kind of way. Katerina draws on her own life experiences, and those of some loved ones, as inspiration for this collection.
‘Surviving Home’ is a prime example of why poetry is my absolute favorite genre! We get to dive into the psyche of the writer and are sometimes given just a glimpse into their life and/or creative source. An exceptional work of art will answer questions and create even more…this does that!
Some of my favs are below:
Involuntary Endurance (that first line!)
I Wish I Could Tell You This Has a Happy Ending
I Say You Can’t Go Home Again
Small Bear to Great Bear
Playing With Roses
An Afterthought of a Netflix Show (Carol Burnett…that’s all I will say!)
The Last Lecture (goosebumps every time!)
All Day Long
My Guardian Angel
Partial Aphorism (this!!!)
I Am the Complete Secret (this again!!)
Link in her bio!
Also, please check out her website for her upcoming events!
Thank you to Katerina Canyon & Book Publicity Services for this gifted copy of ‘Surviving Home’.
This is a collection of poems that really takes you to a place of reflection and I took my time with it because it is so powerful! Some pieces are so hauntingly beautiful that I found myself re-reading them over & over just to make sure I absorbed all of what was written! I found myself using my highlighter so much that I typically would just keep the top off whenever I sat down to read! I had moments when I had to step away from a piece because I could relate to it in a kindred kind of way. Katerina draws on her own life experiences, and those of some loved ones, as inspiration for this collection.
‘Surviving Home’ is a prime example of why poetry is my absolute favorite genre! We get to dive into the psyche of the writer and are sometimes given just a glimpse into their life and/or creative source. An exceptional work of art will answer questions and create even more…this does that!
Some of my favs are below:
Involuntary Endurance (that first line!)
I Wish I Could Tell You This Has a Happy Ending
I Say You Can’t Go Home Again
Small Bear to Great Bear
Playing With Roses
An Afterthought of a Netflix Show (Carol Burnett…that’s all I will say!)
The Last Lecture (goosebumps every time!)
All Day Long
My Guardian Angel
Partial Aphorism (this!!!)
I Am the Complete Secret (this again!!)
Link in her bio!
Also, please check out her website for her upcoming events!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
blkbelle_reads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
🌸Book Review🌸
Title: Surviving Home
Author: Katerina Canyon
Genre:Collection of Poems
🎭🎭🎭🎭
Trigger ⚠️Warnings: domestic violence, rape, substance abuse, police brutality, racism, mental illness,politics,covid
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you @bookpublicityservices for this copy!
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of poetry.
🎭🎭🎭🎭
The title ,Surviving Home really piqued my interest. Unfortunately for some, it’s home that people have to survive and not the world itself.
🏠🏠🏠🏠
In this collection, the author wrote about uncomfortable but much needed topics through poetry. I could feel the pain in the author’s writings. There were times when I just had to sit and think, “what did she mean by that?” or “Wow that’s heartbreaking.”
🏠🏠🏠🏠
The author was able to create beautiful poetry through painful topics such as domestic violence, rape, substance abuse,generational trauma, ,homelessness,unhealthy family dynamics police brutality,slavery and racism w/ metaphors that forced you to think even deeper about issues she experienced.
This collection of poetry is pertinent today and would make for a great discussion in both an educational setting or bookclub setting.
📖📖📖
The poetry engaged me as a reader/interpreter. I enjoyed the authors use of metaphors the most. I had to read the poems more than once to try to understand the meanings of some poems and some I’m still not clear. I would like to ask the author myself. 😅 But Ill settle for a discussion with a book friend bc I would love to discuss to see another’s viewpoint. These topics are heavy but I love dissecting another persons mind.
✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾
I really enjoy poetry because it forces you to think deep and attempt to interpret what the poet is conveying through poetry.
I highlighted and marked poems that really stuck to me.
Here are some of my favorites
🤎🤎🤎🤎
🎭Involuntary Endurance
🎭I Wish I Could Tell You This Has A Happy Ending
❤️🩹My Pain Is Sculpted Into Art For You To Consume
❤️🩹Witness
❤️🩹A Petition For Unrecognized Children
❤️🩹Sojourner
❤️🩹I Left Out “Bells And Whistles” Written With a Little But of Help from Webster’s Dictionary
❤️🩹Partial Aphorism
❤️🩹Epilogue
Title: Surviving Home
Author: Katerina Canyon
Genre:Collection of Poems
🎭🎭🎭🎭
Trigger ⚠️Warnings: domestic violence, rape, substance abuse, police brutality, racism, mental illness,politics,covid
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you @bookpublicityservices for this copy!
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of poetry.
🎭🎭🎭🎭
The title ,Surviving Home really piqued my interest. Unfortunately for some, it’s home that people have to survive and not the world itself.
🏠🏠🏠🏠
In this collection, the author wrote about uncomfortable but much needed topics through poetry. I could feel the pain in the author’s writings. There were times when I just had to sit and think, “what did she mean by that?” or “Wow that’s heartbreaking.”
🏠🏠🏠🏠
The author was able to create beautiful poetry through painful topics such as domestic violence, rape, substance abuse,generational trauma, ,homelessness,unhealthy family dynamics police brutality,slavery and racism w/ metaphors that forced you to think even deeper about issues she experienced.
This collection of poetry is pertinent today and would make for a great discussion in both an educational setting or bookclub setting.
📖📖📖
The poetry engaged me as a reader/interpreter. I enjoyed the authors use of metaphors the most. I had to read the poems more than once to try to understand the meanings of some poems and some I’m still not clear. I would like to ask the author myself. 😅 But Ill settle for a discussion with a book friend bc I would love to discuss to see another’s viewpoint. These topics are heavy but I love dissecting another persons mind.
✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾
I really enjoy poetry because it forces you to think deep and attempt to interpret what the poet is conveying through poetry.
I highlighted and marked poems that really stuck to me.
Here are some of my favorites
🤎🤎🤎🤎
🎭Involuntary Endurance
🎭I Wish I Could Tell You This Has A Happy Ending
❤️🩹My Pain Is Sculpted Into Art For You To Consume
❤️🩹Witness
❤️🩹A Petition For Unrecognized Children
❤️🩹Sojourner
❤️🩹I Left Out “Bells And Whistles” Written With a Little But of Help from Webster’s Dictionary
❤️🩹Partial Aphorism
❤️🩹Epilogue
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Racism
musingsbymichelle's review
4.0
This is a beautifully honest collection of poems. Sometimes, poems have a memoir-quality to them and that is how this collection reads. I admire the bravery of the person surviving the stories told in these poems-- there is tenacity and hope persevering in each line. Some of these poems will also serve as a reflection of the Tr*mp administration and the era of the "Me Too" movement. A very powerful collection of poems that I highly recommend.
A reflection on one poem "The Tyger, Interrupted":
This one, in particular, really connected with me. As I read more poetry written by people of color, it makes me reflect on how many white poets I was taught growing up, The Tyger by William Blake, being one in particular that I had to memorize. I wish I had grown up memorizing poems by Black women and I hope that this has changed for other young Black girls.
A reflection on one poem "The Tyger, Interrupted":
This one, in particular, really connected with me. As I read more poetry written by people of color, it makes me reflect on how many white poets I was taught growing up, The Tyger by William Blake, being one in particular that I had to memorize. I wish I had grown up memorizing poems by Black women and I hope that this has changed for other young Black girls.
chelleym's review
4.0
I received an early release copy from Book Publicity Services (which I greatly appreciate), in exchange for an honest review, so here it goes.
First off, let me start by saying there are a great deal of TW throughout. It was really quite dark, which is honestly why it took me a few days to get through.
I changed my favourite poem from this collection about three times, whilst making my way through but I think it has to be “Partial Aphorism”. That one felt a little too close to home.
Though sometimes gut-wrenching, the poems were honest and raw. There’s a lot of pain bleeding out of the words and that in itself, kind of draws you in.
The author writes about her childhood traumas as well as recent once’s and has experienced things I wouldn’t wish on my own enemy. She poured her soul into these poems and all I can say to that is, I’m glad you made it to the light. Or are at least working your way through the tunnel
First off, let me start by saying there are a great deal of TW throughout. It was really quite dark, which is honestly why it took me a few days to get through.
I changed my favourite poem from this collection about three times, whilst making my way through but I think it has to be “Partial Aphorism”. That one felt a little too close to home.
Though sometimes gut-wrenching, the poems were honest and raw. There’s a lot of pain bleeding out of the words and that in itself, kind of draws you in.
The author writes about her childhood traumas as well as recent once’s and has experienced things I wouldn’t wish on my own enemy. She poured her soul into these poems and all I can say to that is, I’m glad you made it to the light. Or are at least working your way through the tunnel
vassiliki's review
3.0
TW: child abuse, SA, racial trauma
❛ Our situation is what it is: We are stuck.
We can choose whether we are stuck
In darkness or in light. ❜
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Surviving Home is a poetry collection that gives insight into the traumatic childhood experiences one may face, making it seem almost like a memoir. Katerina Canyon, being an African American woman, navigates through her memories of child abuse and neglect, racial trauma and more with a ‘brutal’ honesty that might make this collection a heavy read, due to its vivid images.
❛ Our situation is what it is: We are stuck.
We can choose whether we are stuck
In darkness or in light. ❜
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Surviving Home is a poetry collection that gives insight into the traumatic childhood experiences one may face, making it seem almost like a memoir. Katerina Canyon, being an African American woman, navigates through her memories of child abuse and neglect, racial trauma and more with a ‘brutal’ honesty that might make this collection a heavy read, due to its vivid images.
shelleyanderson4127's review
3.0
It takes a particular kind of courage to look at pain. Especially your own pain. It takes another kind of courage to embrace pain, knowing the only way is through.
Poets have both types of courage. Katerina Canyon is a poet. The 40 or so short poems featured in "Surviving Home" look at the abuse she and her siblings endured as children; at the lasting legacy of abuse. Sometimes homeless, a child of addicts, often hungry, and both a witness to and a victim of violence, she "had parents but lived as an orphan."
There is neither self pity nor self congratulation in these poems, only clarity and a determination to survive. And to survive, both broken and with a sense of integrity and beauty intact. There are references to what helped: music (like jazz and fado), nature in "Silver Sunrise", and words. I loved the "The Tyger, Interrupted", which intersperses lines from Blake's poem with angry orders from an adult to stop reading.
There are also many references to the pain of on-going racism, as in the disturbing "My Pain is Sculpted into Art for You to Consume". There is pride too, as in "Sojourner", where Canyon writes: "You never forgot to say who a woman/ Could be, what a Black woman can do./ When we eschewed weakness and misogyny/ No one helped you. You just carved the trail.
There is a powerful honesty and many beautiful metaphors in Canyon's poetry. She was a Pushcart Prize nominee in both 2019 and 2020.I am glad she is writing. The world needs her kind of honesty and courage.
Poets have both types of courage. Katerina Canyon is a poet. The 40 or so short poems featured in "Surviving Home" look at the abuse she and her siblings endured as children; at the lasting legacy of abuse. Sometimes homeless, a child of addicts, often hungry, and both a witness to and a victim of violence, she "had parents but lived as an orphan."
There is neither self pity nor self congratulation in these poems, only clarity and a determination to survive. And to survive, both broken and with a sense of integrity and beauty intact. There are references to what helped: music (like jazz and fado), nature in "Silver Sunrise", and words. I loved the "The Tyger, Interrupted", which intersperses lines from Blake's poem with angry orders from an adult to stop reading.
There are also many references to the pain of on-going racism, as in the disturbing "My Pain is Sculpted into Art for You to Consume". There is pride too, as in "Sojourner", where Canyon writes: "You never forgot to say who a woman/ Could be, what a Black woman can do./ When we eschewed weakness and misogyny/ No one helped you. You just carved the trail.
There is a powerful honesty and many beautiful metaphors in Canyon's poetry. She was a Pushcart Prize nominee in both 2019 and 2020.I am glad she is writing. The world needs her kind of honesty and courage.