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konbak's review
5.0
I'm not typically a poetry reader, and the title of this was definitely what got my attention (Thank you Glad Day Bookshop for promoting the launch party so much, otherwise I would've missed out on a gem)
I knew vaguely what this poetry collection was going to be about before I went to buy it, I knew it was going to tug at my heart strings and maybe make me cry.
I did not expect how much the poems will shock you, I muttered "Holy Shit" after reading last lines so many times, the way Lannie ties concepts back into Greek myths and experiences and sensations and feelings just AHHH! It was so good.
I actually cracked the book open and read "The Plural of Cyclops is Cyclopes" to because I was on the fence about buying it and I'm glad I did because it is my favourite poem in the book.
It's definitely an emotionally harrowing read though, I had the book sitting by my computer and picked it up whenever I had spare time to read a page or two and that's definitely the way to go unless you want to end up laying on the floor numb (which if you want to do go right ahead, it's a well written way to have a lot of feelings)
I will say just as a last note - I'm not 100% sure about this because I have a long history of reading and loving Greek Mythology but I feel like if you're not someone who knows the myths well a lot of the nuances of this book that really packed a punch for me might go right over your head.
Although maybe having theoi.com 's page about Zeus open as you read and reading the myths after you've read the poems might be fun. There are a bunch of poems in the book that don't reference the myths themselves though like "God Help Us, Another Douchebag Has Named His Dog Zeus" despite the name (Another one that made me go "HOLY SHIT" after reading), so I don't feel like someone who isn't interested in the myths would be completely alienated from these poems, especially because Lannie does a good job of almost summarizing the parts of the myths as she evokes them really concisely, but there's brilliant little subtle references so expertly woven in that you might miss out on if you don't have that knowledge (but as I said, it might be fun to go in blind and then research the references and then reread the poems to get that "OH SHIT" moment.)
Also there's a really cute illustration in the beginning that will make me never look at a down filled coat the same again.
Overall, brilliant poetry, amazing book (and great length too, I'm a fan of poetry that doesn't overstay it's welcome). I'm looking forward to investigating more of Lannie's work!
I knew vaguely what this poetry collection was going to be about before I went to buy it, I knew it was going to tug at my heart strings and maybe make me cry.
I did not expect how much the poems will shock you, I muttered "Holy Shit" after reading last lines so many times, the way Lannie ties concepts back into Greek myths and experiences and sensations and feelings just AHHH! It was so good.
I actually cracked the book open and read "The Plural of Cyclops is Cyclopes" to because I was on the fence about buying it and I'm glad I did because it is my favourite poem in the book.
It's definitely an emotionally harrowing read though, I had the book sitting by my computer and picked it up whenever I had spare time to read a page or two and that's definitely the way to go unless you want to end up laying on the floor numb (which if you want to do go right ahead, it's a well written way to have a lot of feelings)
I will say just as a last note - I'm not 100% sure about this because I have a long history of reading and loving Greek Mythology but I feel like if you're not someone who knows the myths well a lot of the nuances of this book that really packed a punch for me might go right over your head.
Although maybe having theoi.com 's page about Zeus open as you read and reading the myths after you've read the poems might be fun. There are a bunch of poems in the book that don't reference the myths themselves though like "God Help Us, Another Douchebag Has Named His Dog Zeus" despite the name (Another one that made me go "HOLY SHIT" after reading), so I don't feel like someone who isn't interested in the myths would be completely alienated from these poems, especially because Lannie does a good job of almost summarizing the parts of the myths as she evokes them really concisely, but there's brilliant little subtle references so expertly woven in that you might miss out on if you don't have that knowledge (but as I said, it might be fun to go in blind and then research the references and then reread the poems to get that "OH SHIT" moment.)
Also there's a really cute illustration in the beginning that will make me never look at a down filled coat the same again.
Overall, brilliant poetry, amazing book (and great length too, I'm a fan of poetry that doesn't overstay it's welcome). I'm looking forward to investigating more of Lannie's work!
plathologist's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. These poems are honest and take on a very hard reality. I feel like I learned something from this, I liked the perspective of reading about Zeus as a predator without his violence being glorified. Definitely worth a re-read, too.
nicnevin's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Brutal and poignant, Lannie used Greek myth to discuss not only the aftermath of her rape but how society treats it. Honestly heartbreaking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
amymurnan's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
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