break your glass slippers by Amanda Lovelace
Expected to publish March 17, 2020
Andrews McNeel Publishing
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My rating: 4/5 stars
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This has not influenced my review. As always, this review is honest and spoiler-free.
WHAT I LIKED:
The first section of poems. The work in this movement read as very genuine, honest, and raw. The message that love is not a cure for internal struggles is so pertinent. I enjoyed the subtle nods to the Cinderella fairytale, and appreciated how the poems here incorporated subtle nods without being direct references. Lovelace struck a nice balance of fairytale and reality.
The strong sense of empowerment and the message that you can be your own hero. This concept is something that really stood out to me as an important and terribly relevant theme. These poems tell readers that love comes from within, and a partner should complement your life instead of completing your character. You are enough in your current state; you are always enough.
The illustrations. The images that accompany the poems are absolutely stunning, drawing on Cinderella’s classic blue. They juxtapose fairytale whimsy with items and images we’re accustomed to seeing every day, creating a sense of magic in the mundane.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
The second and third sections. That’s not to say that these sections were bad, but I wanted more imagery and imagination as I saw in the first section. Some of the poems bordered on being preachy rather than empowering, and I felt like we lost the sense of story. Maybe that was intentional though; the break from the Cinderella narrative could have something to do with empowerment and writing your own story.
What poetry are you reading now? Any poetry collection recommendations?
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Nice
Lovely review and its great that the theme of empowerment is such a big part of this collection! I’ve read one of Lovelace’s other poetry books, hopefully I’ll make time to check this one out. 💞