A review by toad_maiden
Scriptorium: Poems by Melissa Range

3.0

This is an unusual collection that weaves together some disparate topics. Range writes of medieval manuscripts and pigments, Christian theology and dogma, her southern "hillbilly" roots, and the idea of vernacular throughout history. I particularly appreciated her use of meter and poetic discussion of pigments, and I thought the theme of vernacular helped to tie together her widely ranging topics. However, I think it was still a little too scattered for my taste, and while at times her language and meter were vigorous and chilling, at others it felt stilted and slow. Overall, I thought this book worth a read, although it lacked that sought-after spark that burrows into your soul after reading great poetry.