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A review by gaymoonreader
Wild Embers by Nikita Gill
4.0
(4.5)
Nikita Gill is one of my favorite contemporary poets, and I have been following her work for years. This poem collection definitely was not what I was expecting, but I definitely still enjoyed it. This book really is about how important it is to love yourself. It really touches on this really abusive relationship she had been in and how that changed her, and that was something super beautiful but also heart-breaking to read. I personally could identify with so many things that she was speaking about in regards to her abusive relationship because of my sister and what she went through with her ex-husband.
In this collection, she also ends up rewriting fairytales and mythology since we all know it is society's version, which by definition is the man version of how things went down in these fairy tales. For example, she turned Sleeping Beauty's tale into one on consent and how she would teach her own daughter that just because you find something pretty does not give you the right to kiss them without their consent. She rewrote them to show how powerful these women were and how they didn't need men for love or marriage. They were powerful, independent women who were not naive or overcome with love, but strong, willing to do whatever it takes to fight for what they believe in, which I absolutely loved, and it is a message I will be passing down to my nieces and nephews as they grow up.
I also just really enjoyed these really beautiful and lyrical metaphors she was using. It was very heavy in comparing the human body to space and the universe and stars and planets, and it was absolutely beautiful to read. I was struck by the realization whilst reading this that parts of these poems might have been spoken word poetry, and I imagined how absolutely riveting it must have been to see the passion in this woman as she performed these poems so close to her soul.
Overall, I just found this poem collection to be absolutely gorgeous and a must read for everyone, especially young women growing up in our patriarchal society today, and I cannot wait to read even more from Nikita Gill!
Nikita Gill is one of my favorite contemporary poets, and I have been following her work for years. This poem collection definitely was not what I was expecting, but I definitely still enjoyed it. This book really is about how important it is to love yourself. It really touches on this really abusive relationship she had been in and how that changed her, and that was something super beautiful but also heart-breaking to read. I personally could identify with so many things that she was speaking about in regards to her abusive relationship because of my sister and what she went through with her ex-husband.
In this collection, she also ends up rewriting fairytales and mythology since we all know it is society's version, which by definition is the man version of how things went down in these fairy tales. For example, she turned Sleeping Beauty's tale into one on consent and how she would teach her own daughter that just because you find something pretty does not give you the right to kiss them without their consent. She rewrote them to show how powerful these women were and how they didn't need men for love or marriage. They were powerful, independent women who were not naive or overcome with love, but strong, willing to do whatever it takes to fight for what they believe in, which I absolutely loved, and it is a message I will be passing down to my nieces and nephews as they grow up.
I also just really enjoyed these really beautiful and lyrical metaphors she was using. It was very heavy in comparing the human body to space and the universe and stars and planets, and it was absolutely beautiful to read. I was struck by the realization whilst reading this that parts of these poems might have been spoken word poetry, and I imagined how absolutely riveting it must have been to see the passion in this woman as she performed these poems so close to her soul.
Overall, I just found this poem collection to be absolutely gorgeous and a must read for everyone, especially young women growing up in our patriarchal society today, and I cannot wait to read even more from Nikita Gill!