A review by ivyninareads
Throat by Ellen van Neerven

4.0

Really loved this collection of poetry – I can see why it was the recipient of multiple literary awards and nominations. I am so glad that I've come around to a greater fondness of Ellen Van Neerven's work after reading a second collection from them. After reading 'Comfort Food', I knew that there was something that I liked about their poetry, but that collection felt as though it were missing both a strong connecting through line and a raw sense honesty. None of that is missed in 'Throat'. 'Throat' explores Indigenous Australian and queer identity, colonialism and Australia and relationship to land, love and culture. I particularly loved the simple but beautiful lines that appeared in some of Van Neerven's sparser poems, that read almost like mantras in their concise clarity and lyricism. The lines "I used to have a name/I want to relax again" in their poem 'I used to have a name for this (for this)' I feel particularly pertain to this description. Towards the beginning of the poetry collection there were also a lot more short and specifically punchy lines that I enjoyed.

All in all, I felt this collection to be immensely well crafted and well written. With each poem I felt the impact of something greater being reached out to me through Van Neerven's words. Thousands upon thousands of years of history. A very poignant read, highly recommend.