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A review by trve_zach
To the Realization of Perfect Helplessness by Robin Coste Lewis
What is ostensibly a family photo album with some poetry next to it becomes so, so much more in the hands of Lewis. Her words take us on a multi-generational journey of Black Americans migrating west, fleeing the racial terrorism of the South. As such it expresses the struggle and systemic oppression of Black Americans but it also shows the particular strength and resilience and joy (forcibly) born out of such a (continued) experience. Through this, we come to know, loosely, her family and their importance to Lewis and a version of them-as-placeholder for versions of all families desiring equal share in life and aspiration (though the scope goes beyond even this, to the very creation of the universe and its people).
The poetry is enough on its own to be excellent, but here it is combined with the aforementioned found-family photo album, and this is a brilliant thing. The words and photos reframe and recontextualize one another, constantly shifting as you read along, creating and adding new meaning, moving through your mind like a dream or surreal movie.
This is a beautiful collection (even the layout with its very intentional black background and white text, bearing meaning and mood) so deftly handled that I don’t really have words for how great it is. I’ve included a few photos to help, and if they do anything for you at all, you’re going to love this. I’ve read it twice now and have been floored both times (noticing more each time like how the credits/publishing information are moved to the back of the book so that it (book) can pull you in right away, eschewing anything resembling business that would separate you from this expression) and look forward to another pass through.
[review copy provided by AA Knopf]
The poetry is enough on its own to be excellent, but here it is combined with the aforementioned found-family photo album, and this is a brilliant thing. The words and photos reframe and recontextualize one another, constantly shifting as you read along, creating and adding new meaning, moving through your mind like a dream or surreal movie.
This is a beautiful collection (even the layout with its very intentional black background and white text, bearing meaning and mood) so deftly handled that I don’t really have words for how great it is. I’ve included a few photos to help, and if they do anything for you at all, you’re going to love this. I’ve read it twice now and have been floored both times (noticing more each time like how the credits/publishing information are moved to the back of the book so that it (book) can pull you in right away, eschewing anything resembling business that would separate you from this expression) and look forward to another pass through.
[review copy provided by AA Knopf]