Reviews

Why Dust Shall Never Settle Upon This Soul by Ryka Aoki

krin's review

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Honestly I do not know how to rate a book of poems but I can say that I found many of the poems in this book beautiful, compelling and moving and I'm very glad I read it.

rainbowbookworm's review against another edition

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5.0

When I was thinking about how to review this book one phrase kept coming up in my mind. It is from [a:John Green|1406384|John Green|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1353452301p2/1406384.jpg]'s book [b:The Fault in Our Stars|11870085|The Fault in Our Stars|John Green|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660273739l/11870085._SX50_.jpg|16827462], "That's the thing about pain. It demands to be felt."

Ryka Aoki has wrapped pain up in lyrical word play and gifted it to the rest of us. I an in awe of the poet's use of words and I hope that sharing the pain with the rest of us brought some respite.

ashlikes's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

4.0

blubbflubbl's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring fast-paced

2.0

achilleanshelves's review against another edition

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5.0

Content warnings - transphobia, homophobia, abuse (sexual & physical), reference to AIDs, grief

This was such a profound and hard-hitting collection of poems. I'd advise caution based on the above CWs but I also highly recommend reading if you can.

nightjar656's review against another edition

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5.0

This is a hard book to review.
The poetry in this is so beautiful. It makes you appreciate writing as an art more. The way small moments make up the big concepts is just so wonderful. The themes of loss are poignant and strong and the three poems add so much to each other. It’s a remembrance of the lost and a celebration of the loving and it’s so gorgeous. It’s one of those books that I could probably reread again and again and get something each time- and I will def be rereading this.
Anyway. Beautiful collection of poems and it made me feel on a level that’s hard to articulate with words. Would recommend.

thepermageek's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Beautiful, raw, grief-laden poetry that left me feeling more hopeful than despairing. 

anna_23's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

4.0

danielardz's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

3.5

choirqueer's review against another edition

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5.0

Absolutely gorgeous. Trans poets are the BEST.