RaveLibrary JournalThough some of the poems riff on failure or sadness, Belieu also uses puns and everyday sayings to capture daily life, and her language varies throughout from slang to the sublime ... These poems continuously examine life, sometimes with reverence, sometimes with wry humor, as the poet offers an intelligent take on being a woman in the 21st century. The poet\'s en point observations of the world are truly delightful, and not since Ann Sexton has a poet captured girlhood so well ... The occasional poem could use some tightening, but this is a sterling collection that ends much too soon. Highly recommended.
Joshua Bennett
RaveLibrary JournalOccasionally, Bennett stretches his similes or overwrites, when less detail would have made the work more powerful. In the end, however, not only are these poems eloquent but also lyrical, intelligent, and, occasionally, funny. Most reflect upon and communicate the pain, joy, and intensity of the current Black experience ... In a time when many confront and protest the racism prevalent in our society, Bennett’s new book is vital.
Victoria Chang
MixedLibrary JournalAt times, it becomes a hodgepodge but is also rich with beautiful lines that connect readers to emotion. A series of tanka about parenting become side notes to the narrative flow and are, on the whole, less effective ... Often incorporating short declarative sentences, Chang’s poems can veer toward being list-like but move forward quickly to endings that surprise and even amaze as they burrow deep into those grieving places all of us have experienced. Recommended for most collections.
Carolyn Forché
PositiveLibrary JournalThroughout her career, Forché has forged poems of witness, and she does so here with beauty and lyricism. The one misstep is an overabundance of list poems; Forché can bring to life objects better than nearly anyone, but we want the revelatory journey behind them. Yet, finally, this bounty of rich poetry is recommended for all collections.
Rowan Ricardo Phillips
MixedLibrary JournalUnfortunately, too many poems use repetition and sometimes rhyme to poor effect ... An uneven but interesting collection showcasing life in New York City today, sometimes veering toward dull, ordinary language and sometimes singing with their take on society. For larger collections.
Arthur Sze
PositiveLibrary JournalSze creates tensile energy by balancing the cerebral with the physical ...and almost every poem incorporates unique details not united by theme or likeness ... The poems often require rereading, as speaker and location can change abruptly, and it\'s challenging when Sze seizes upon the negative, what is not happening now ... But in the end...each poem provides a sensual, intellectual take on the world ... Provocative work; a solid addition to academic and popular collections.
Fanny Howe
PositiveLibrary JournalIn her 24th collection, Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize Lifetime Achievement award winner Howe searches for a philosophy of living ... Sometimes, the poet slyly pokes fun at life ... Some metaphors shimmer... Yet others leave readers perplexed ... Occasionally, the writing becomes clunky—breaking the reader\'s flow ... In the end, Howe is best at capturing the everyday ... In nearly every poem, the poet delves deeply. Her questing invites us to read and reread. For all academic and larger public library collections.
Ada Limón
RaveLibrary Journal\"Limón\'s vision is realistic, at times bleak, yet these poems often brim with optimism, revealing a reverent, extraordinary take on the world. Don\'t miss this life-affirming collection.\
