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A review by exlibrisnina
Best Barbarian: Poems by Roger Reeves
4.0
As other reviewers noted, this is pretty dense poetry. Reeves frequently references/integrates the styles and works of others, and if you're not familiar (and don't check the notes at the back), you'll be left a little lost. Not that this complexity is a bad thing- I think it forced me to spend more time thinking about each piece, rather than skimming as I may have with 'easier' poetry. It's just a little intimidating, especially if you're not a frequent poetry reader- which I am not. I don't mind having to do a little research as I read, but I also know I wasn't able to fully appreciate some of the poems because I lacked background.
I found myself most engrossed when Reeves really played with rhyme and rhythm/meter (I keep coming back to "Cocaine and Gold" for this reason). I also felt that the poems in which Reeves confronts his feelings on his father's death and police brutality to be the most impactful- particularly "After the Funeral" and "Rat Among the Pines".
My thoughts are still a little complicated, but overall I would say this collection is highly worth picking up if you’re willing to commit the time and energy to unpacking it carefully. Read them aloud, read them again and again!
I found myself most engrossed when Reeves really played with rhyme and rhythm/meter (I keep coming back to "Cocaine and Gold" for this reason). I also felt that the poems in which Reeves confronts his feelings on his father's death and police brutality to be the most impactful- particularly "After the Funeral" and "Rat Among the Pines".
My thoughts are still a little complicated, but overall I would say this collection is highly worth picking up if you’re willing to commit the time and energy to unpacking it carefully. Read them aloud, read them again and again!