Reviews

Toxic Flora: Poems by Kimiko Hahn

azicedtea's review against another edition

funny reflective fast-paced

• 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? N/A

4.25

ursulawren's review against another edition

The focus on scientific topics was weird, the politics that poked through in places were not my cup of tea, and the poems started to feel formulaic. Not for me.

j_e_s_s's review

5.0

re-read, still great

silodear's review

4.0

This book was really interesting. It is definitely the most scientific poetry I’ve ever read, which engaged me. That being said, I don’t love poetry and I did grow somewhat weary of reading this book. But I think it was so smart that it deserves four stars, even if it was worth fewer stars in my heart.

(SPL 2018 book bingo: about the environment)

444christina's review against another edition

informative reflective tense slow-paced

• 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? N/A

2.75

cowgirltings's review

4.0

I laughed, I cried, I did a very complicated and cathartic jig.

delaneyswann's review

emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• 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? N/A

4.0

Beautiful use of language, the concept is so strong and all of the poems are well connected. The book is put together so well. 

katieg's review against another edition

challenging relaxing fast-paced

• 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? N/A

4.0

Of course there were some poems in this collection that fell flat for me, but overall I appreciated the cohesion of the collection and its unique approach of taking natural observations and relating them to human experiences. The way that Hahn engaged with disgust and discomfort was also very enjoyable. My favorite part of the book was not actually a single poem, but the framing device interspersed between different sections that engaged with different understandings of praying mantises and sexual cannibalism. 

amandam's review

4.0

Some wonderful gestures in this book that bring together science reporting, formal experimentation, and glimpses of narrative that bind these elements with personal relevance.

gracew's review

4.0

I bought this book after hearing Kimiko Hahn read at the National Book Fair. An interesting mix of science and poetry. I enjoyed some more than others but on the whole I found them to be very interesting in their use of metaphor. I would have liked to see her play with some different forms in the book. Hahn is very talented. I look forward to reading more of her works.