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bisexualbookshelf's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha's 'Bodymap' is a poignant celebration of queer disabled love and justice, intertwining themes of liberation and resilience in a lyrical exploration that challenges societal norms and embraces the beauty of diverse experiences.
Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha's "Bodymap" is a courageous exploration of queer disabled love and justice, intricately woven with themes of liberation, resilience, and belonging. From the very first stanza to the final word, this poetry collection invites readers into a world where the body is revered as a site of knowledge, remembrance, and unapologetic authenticity.
The collection begins with a profound sense of gratitude, setting the tone for an journey that delves deep into the complexities of claiming and redefining home. Through evocative language and poignant imagery, Piepzna-Samarasinha asks fundamental questions about what it means to find sanctuary in a world that often seeks to erase marginalized bodies and experiences.
"Bodymap" is structured into six sections, each offering a kaleidoscopic view of queer desire, survivorship, and transformative love. With a deft hand, this collection navigates through themes of cultural imperialism, ableism, and queer sexuality, illuminating the intersections of identity and activism with striking clarity. These poems serve as both a testament and battle cry, challenging the capitalistic and ableist norms that seek to silence and marginalize marginalized communities.
Piepzna-Samarasinha's poetry is fiercely political yet deeply personal, drawing upon their own experiences as a queer disabled femme-of-color to craft narratives that resonate with raw honesty and vulnerability. Whether celebrating the joy of community care or confronting the realities of navigating a world not built for disabled bodies, Leah's voice rings out with unwavering conviction and strength.
At the heart of "Bodymap" lies a celebration of diversity and resilience, where sapphic and Sri Lankan representation intertwine with themes of anticolonialism, anticapitalism, and antiableism. Through bountiful anecdotes and lyrical explorations, Piepzna-Samarasinha invites readers to embrace the messy, imperfect beauty of femininity and disabled love.
The author's commitment to disability justice is evident throughout the collection, as they unapologetically reject societal norms and insist on the inherent perfection of all bodies. By centering disabled experiences and perspectives, "Bodymap" challenges readers to reevaluate their perceptions of normalcy and embrace neurodivergent pride with open arms.
In addition to its powerful social commentary, "Bodymap" is also a testament to the transformative power of storytelling. Piepzna-Samarasinha's prose-like sequences weave together a tapestry of lived experiences, inviting readers to bear witness to the complexities of queer disabled life.
As a cultural and memory worker, Leah deftly crafts narratives that bridge the gap between past and present, offering glimpses into a history that is both universal and deeply personal. Through its words, “Bodymap” reminds us that the fight for justice is not just a collective struggle but also an individual journey of self-discovery and affirmation.
“Bodymap" is a triumph of queer disabled poetics—a love song to those who dare to exist outside society's narrow confines and a rallying cry for a more inclusive and compassionate world. Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha's voice is a beacon of hope in a sea of uncertainty, guiding readers toward a future where all bodies are celebrated, all love is valid, and all voices are heard.
📖 Recommended For: Advocates of Disability Justice, Supporters of Queer Liberation, Critics of Ableism, Fans of Audre Lorde's "The Cancer Journals."
🔑 Key Themes: Disability Justice, Queer Desire, Survivorship, Transformative Love, Cultural Imperialism, Anticapitalism, Anticolonialism, Community Care, Neurodivergent Pride.
Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha's "Bodymap" is a courageous exploration of queer disabled love and justice, intricately woven with themes of liberation, resilience, and belonging. From the very first stanza to the final word, this poetry collection invites readers into a world where the body is revered as a site of knowledge, remembrance, and unapologetic authenticity.
The collection begins with a profound sense of gratitude, setting the tone for an journey that delves deep into the complexities of claiming and redefining home. Through evocative language and poignant imagery, Piepzna-Samarasinha asks fundamental questions about what it means to find sanctuary in a world that often seeks to erase marginalized bodies and experiences.
"Bodymap" is structured into six sections, each offering a kaleidoscopic view of queer desire, survivorship, and transformative love. With a deft hand, this collection navigates through themes of cultural imperialism, ableism, and queer sexuality, illuminating the intersections of identity and activism with striking clarity. These poems serve as both a testament and battle cry, challenging the capitalistic and ableist norms that seek to silence and marginalize marginalized communities.
Piepzna-Samarasinha's poetry is fiercely political yet deeply personal, drawing upon their own experiences as a queer disabled femme-of-color to craft narratives that resonate with raw honesty and vulnerability. Whether celebrating the joy of community care or confronting the realities of navigating a world not built for disabled bodies, Leah's voice rings out with unwavering conviction and strength.
At the heart of "Bodymap" lies a celebration of diversity and resilience, where sapphic and Sri Lankan representation intertwine with themes of anticolonialism, anticapitalism, and antiableism. Through bountiful anecdotes and lyrical explorations, Piepzna-Samarasinha invites readers to embrace the messy, imperfect beauty of femininity and disabled love.
The author's commitment to disability justice is evident throughout the collection, as they unapologetically reject societal norms and insist on the inherent perfection of all bodies. By centering disabled experiences and perspectives, "Bodymap" challenges readers to reevaluate their perceptions of normalcy and embrace neurodivergent pride with open arms.
In addition to its powerful social commentary, "Bodymap" is also a testament to the transformative power of storytelling. Piepzna-Samarasinha's prose-like sequences weave together a tapestry of lived experiences, inviting readers to bear witness to the complexities of queer disabled life.
As a cultural and memory worker, Leah deftly crafts narratives that bridge the gap between past and present, offering glimpses into a history that is both universal and deeply personal. Through its words, “Bodymap” reminds us that the fight for justice is not just a collective struggle but also an individual journey of self-discovery and affirmation.
“Bodymap" is a triumph of queer disabled poetics—a love song to those who dare to exist outside society's narrow confines and a rallying cry for a more inclusive and compassionate world. Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha's voice is a beacon of hope in a sea of uncertainty, guiding readers toward a future where all bodies are celebrated, all love is valid, and all voices are heard.
📖 Recommended For: Advocates of Disability Justice, Supporters of Queer Liberation, Critics of Ableism, Fans of Audre Lorde's "The Cancer Journals."
🔑 Key Themes: Disability Justice, Queer Desire, Survivorship, Transformative Love, Cultural Imperialism, Anticapitalism, Anticolonialism, Community Care, Neurodivergent Pride.
lsparrow's review against another edition
5.0
I want to savour these poems but I ended up unable to read just one at a time. LLPS is one of my favorite poets and I feel that I can never get enough!
youreadtoomuch's review
I read an excerpt via audio messages to the girl I am talking to. Specifically the section where her dating life with one of her lovers consisted of more cancellations and reschedules than actually dating each other...
keetham's review against another edition
4.0
Good. A precursor to Dirty River. Nice to see some home in the pages
cronareads's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Ableism
lowbrowhighart's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0