I discovered the poet, Amanda Lovelace, when was recommended to fans of Rupi Kaur. And I understand why. They have a similar style. Short, simplistic poems about powerful topics. I hate to ever say I didn’t like a book. I read it, didn’t I? My only note would be that the writing felt a little lazy- perhaps not the perfect descriptor- after reading Kaur. A lot of statements and not much flourish or symbolism in between. That is just me, she may be fresh off the press, but very successful author. This is her first entry (before the first of four sections, “the trial”). Page 1: warning I: this is not a fairy witch tale there are no witches. there are no match-boys there are no burnings. there is no fiery revolution. this is simply a story where women fight against the manmade structure that has long overstayed its welcome. I can’t argue that her work gives me chills. And I don’t want to, she is strong for putting herself on the page. No matter my shaky review, I do recommend this author. The books are short, but action packed.
This one is the second in her first series of poetry, ‘women are some kind of magic,’ the other one being named the princess saves herself in this one (I really want to read that one!). Other books include those in ‘things that h(a)unt’ duology, #1: to make monsters out of girls. The last work is a collaboration with many different authors, such, Sara Bond, Nikita Gill, Canisia Lubrin, and R.H Swaney. [dis]connected: poems & stories of connection and otherwise is an anthological work. Lovelace writes about fearless women and justice and pain. And she does it well.
0 Comments
You can’t put a date on when Rupi Kaur became a writer. She says her art started when she was young, and I believe it. Rupi is an Indian born Canadian poet whose words stretch across ages and all over the world. She published her first collection of poetry with illustrations in 2014 when she was 21 years old (“Milk and Honey”). I bought this book knowing it was going to be good, and I was not disappointed. The journey is divided into five chapters of wilting, falling, rooting, rising, and blooming. The beginning feels like the rush of feelings after a breakup. It is understandable, and well done, but it is the pages toward the end that got me. The way she writes, so minimally; the way she draws, so minimally, is breathtaking. She spills her soul across the paper like ink, and you feel her presence with every word. The poems felt raw, the wording was bold, and the aftermath? I am a disaster, but loving it. This book doesn’t end when you close the cover. It’s message of love, strength, and rebirth seep into your thoughts until you go to sleep. And then you might just dream up your own lyric. |
Currently reading:
the Shadowhunter Chronicles Categories
All
Archives
December 2020
|