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A review by edebell
Algorithmic Shapeshifting: Poems by Bogi Takács, Lisa M. Bradley
5.0
This collection of poetry is beautiful and amazing.
I must preface: I am not a literary scholar nor a subject matter expert on the themes highlighted; all I can do is provide my thoughts, and hope they represent the collection adequately! But I want to provide those thoughts, in case they might convince you to pick this up. This deserves attention.
Even when writing pain, frustration, or satire, Bogi Takács writes with such inherent compassion and optimism that the experience settles deep within. Then, the feelings are especially resounding and radiant when e writes of joy. And there is always a light breeze of humor, often winding with hope. I found reading this collection very calming on the inside while sensory and prickly on the outside. Every word is chosen. Nuances considered. Brushstrokes within lines not intended. It is so much better than I am able to describe.
Addressing other reviews I've seen, if you must fully understand everything that you read, this may not be the best collection for you. It is unlikely most readers share the author's intersection of experiences and study. Yet, I found the collection openly accessible, in that e paints a picture - a scene, surrounding you. And you are really invited, I felt, to sense and learn from the journey. The invitation to let go of control and just experience - was poetry in itself. The mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity is part of the whole point, I think. It's brilliant.
I will note: I had the honor of meeting the author and e gave me this copy from eir own hands, so I felt like I received a personal pass to board. And just being around em (and eir family) for a short time gave me a slightly better sense of where these poems grew from. Yet, if you follow Mx. Takács on Twitter (@bogiperson), you should have a sense as well, and I think also this same invitation. E is fairly open about some aspects of eir experiences, likely for layered reasons. But, yes, a sense of this poet does I think enhance the experience. Perhaps that is true of all writing that is personal in nature. Or perhaps what I'm trying to express is how personal these poems feel, even when they hold a distance.
To Bogi if e sees this, I will say reading this collection brought me great sensation. And purpose. I've been struggling with anxiety issues that had delayed me reading this, and once it called me to it and I sat to absorb it in full, your words calmed me, both my chest and my mind, which is not so easy to do right now. Thank you. I will revisit it again, I am certain. Feeling something new each time. And I also want to say something that is important, having met you and read your book: I like you.
I probably didn't say all this right, so I will summarize:
I am very moved by this awesome collection, and hope you will also enjoy it.
I must preface: I am not a literary scholar nor a subject matter expert on the themes highlighted; all I can do is provide my thoughts, and hope they represent the collection adequately! But I want to provide those thoughts, in case they might convince you to pick this up. This deserves attention.
Even when writing pain, frustration, or satire, Bogi Takács writes with such inherent compassion and optimism that the experience settles deep within. Then, the feelings are especially resounding and radiant when e writes of joy. And there is always a light breeze of humor, often winding with hope. I found reading this collection very calming on the inside while sensory and prickly on the outside. Every word is chosen. Nuances considered. Brushstrokes within lines not intended. It is so much better than I am able to describe.
Addressing other reviews I've seen, if you must fully understand everything that you read, this may not be the best collection for you. It is unlikely most readers share the author's intersection of experiences and study. Yet, I found the collection openly accessible, in that e paints a picture - a scene, surrounding you. And you are really invited, I felt, to sense and learn from the journey. The invitation to let go of control and just experience - was poetry in itself. The mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity is part of the whole point, I think. It's brilliant.
I will note: I had the honor of meeting the author and e gave me this copy from eir own hands, so I felt like I received a personal pass to board. And just being around em (and eir family) for a short time gave me a slightly better sense of where these poems grew from. Yet, if you follow Mx. Takács on Twitter (@bogiperson), you should have a sense as well, and I think also this same invitation. E is fairly open about some aspects of eir experiences, likely for layered reasons. But, yes, a sense of this poet does I think enhance the experience. Perhaps that is true of all writing that is personal in nature. Or perhaps what I'm trying to express is how personal these poems feel, even when they hold a distance.
To Bogi if e sees this, I will say reading this collection brought me great sensation. And purpose. I've been struggling with anxiety issues that had delayed me reading this, and once it called me to it and I sat to absorb it in full, your words calmed me, both my chest and my mind, which is not so easy to do right now. Thank you. I will revisit it again, I am certain. Feeling something new each time. And I also want to say something that is important, having met you and read your book: I like you.
I probably didn't say all this right, so I will summarize:
I am very moved by this awesome collection, and hope you will also enjoy it.