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robotswithpersonality's review
Lonely. Moved between more dream-like, evocatively descriptive passages and more straightforward reflections on trying to find intimacy as a gay man, and encountering racism as an Asian man.
Stand Outs: Post One and Post Two perfectly encapsulate the photo v. reality of social media; State of Man, ensuring self-love the key to healthy relationships; Finally feels like it's reaching towards inner strength, an acknowledgement of bad survived.
Stand Outs: Post One and Post Two perfectly encapsulate the photo v. reality of social media; State of Man, ensuring self-love the key to healthy relationships; Finally feels like it's reaching towards inner strength, an acknowledgement of bad survived.
tinamayreads's review against another edition
5.0
MYTHICAL MAN by David Ly is an incredible poetry book! I loved these poems!! In this debut collection Ly’s poetry explores the topics of toxic masculinity, queer love, race, identity, dating apps, and social media.
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I immediately connected to this author as we’re both based in Vancouver and to the setting of the poems Granville and West Georgia and Celebrity Sighting. I stroll by the “dilapidated London Drugs” on the corner of Granville and West Georgia almost everyday. I loved all the other references in these poems as well including Lady Gaga and the rainbow crosswalk. The poems revealing how his Asian identity is perceived on dating apps were brutally honest and heartbreaking.
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This is a book that I read in one sitting. These poems absorbed me and at one point I was even teary eyed. I really enjoyed all the poems and my faves are Nice to Meet You and State of Man. If you’re looking for an amazing CanLit poetry book then read this one!! I can’t wait to read his second poetry book coming out this fall called Dream of Me as Water!
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Thank you to the author for this signed gifted review copy! It’s a treasure to add to my collection!
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I immediately connected to this author as we’re both based in Vancouver and to the setting of the poems Granville and West Georgia and Celebrity Sighting. I stroll by the “dilapidated London Drugs” on the corner of Granville and West Georgia almost everyday. I loved all the other references in these poems as well including Lady Gaga and the rainbow crosswalk. The poems revealing how his Asian identity is perceived on dating apps were brutally honest and heartbreaking.
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This is a book that I read in one sitting. These poems absorbed me and at one point I was even teary eyed. I really enjoyed all the poems and my faves are Nice to Meet You and State of Man. If you’re looking for an amazing CanLit poetry book then read this one!! I can’t wait to read his second poetry book coming out this fall called Dream of Me as Water!
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Thank you to the author for this signed gifted review copy! It’s a treasure to add to my collection!
cawleen's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this collection of poetry. It explored Asian identity, gay culture, fairytales, and more. David Ly’s poems have a special way of making you feel every thing he has gone through, as if you were there in the moment with him.
destrys's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Gorgeous, haunting, challenging, beautiful.
vanreads's review
This poetry collection by David Ly really cuts deep. David Ly is an Asian Canadian queer poet and his poetry reflects his experiences as an Asian gay man, expressing his dating experiences, experiences of racism, and experiences of being part of a larger Asian diaspora.
Racism in queer relationships and in dating as a queer person is something that Ly expresses really well, and I think is such an important issue to know about and discuss. MESSAGE RECEIVED and ANOTHER MESSAGE RECEIVED are two poems that express this really well.
Not all poems are sad though, as many of them end on a hopeful note. I FINALLY LEARNED HOW TO LOVE MYSELF is one that expresses hope in acceptance in his Asian identity. DISCO THE PUG IS MINE is just a very cute and heartwarming favorite of mine.
I'm a straight female, but so much of Ly's poetry struck a chord in me. It made me realize that racism and Asian fetishes aren't just something that Asian females experience. It's something that runs deep in western society toward Asians, and it's so problematic, particularly when it comes to dating. I hate that it's something we experience. I hate that we have to be on guard constantly and worry about whether the person we are interacting with has some sort of Asian fetish.
Some of these poems are too sexy for me (I'm very PG), but I would definitely recommend Ly's poetry to anyone who wants an emotional experience reading about LGBTQ dating experiences, dating as an Asian in North America, and queer identity. It will make you feel seen.
Thank you David Ly for sending me your poetry book for an honest review!
Racism in queer relationships and in dating as a queer person is something that Ly expresses really well, and I think is such an important issue to know about and discuss. MESSAGE RECEIVED and ANOTHER MESSAGE RECEIVED are two poems that express this really well.
Not all poems are sad though, as many of them end on a hopeful note. I FINALLY LEARNED HOW TO LOVE MYSELF is one that expresses hope in acceptance in his Asian identity. DISCO THE PUG IS MINE is just a very cute and heartwarming favorite of mine.
I'm a straight female, but so much of Ly's poetry struck a chord in me. It made me realize that racism and Asian fetishes aren't just something that Asian females experience. It's something that runs deep in western society toward Asians, and it's so problematic, particularly when it comes to dating. I hate that it's something we experience. I hate that we have to be on guard constantly and worry about whether the person we are interacting with has some sort of Asian fetish.
Some of these poems are too sexy for me (I'm very PG), but I would definitely recommend Ly's poetry to anyone who wants an emotional experience reading about LGBTQ dating experiences, dating as an Asian in North America, and queer identity. It will make you feel seen.
Thank you David Ly for sending me your poetry book for an honest review!
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