I did not know that Barbara Kingsolver was a poet, and was delighted to encounter this book which address both personal and political stories with the power to change our lives. As Margaret Randall says in her introduction, "we will read them to ourselves and to our children, quietly and aloud, as anthems to a possible future as well as memories of a past that is not dead. We will read them in English and Rebeca Cartes' Spanish-- because these two languages linked give birth to a third”. Kingsol...

I've always struggled with poetry, but I love her fictional works so much that I wanted to attempt her poetry as well. I still struggled, but there were portions from numerous poems that made me stop and contemplate my immediate connection to them. That alone makes me, an admittedly unskilled poetry reader, really appreciate this work.

I'm a huge Kingsolver fan, but reading this collection I couldn't shake the feeling that her brand of revelations comes across better in prose. Maybe that's because I'd already read her novels and essay collections that dealt with the themes in this poetry collection, and found them more moving the first time. There are 5 sections in here (with poems mostly about war, parenting, personal/national trauma, and social justice), and the 4th section ("The Believers") really stood out as the one that

This is a tough book to read, a tough book to give a rating to. Did I like it? No, not exactly. It is dark and disturbing at many points with poems on war, torture, rape, etc. Do I think it is important book? Yes. The best way I can describe this book is if Margaret Atwood and BloodAxe publishers created a group project, it would be this. I commend the author for her strength.

One of the most powerful books of poetry I've read. What more to say? Not for the faint of heart, though--some of them had me in tears, but they said what needed to be said. Especially "Your Mother's Eyes"--last poem of the volume written to a young woman who was born as a result of rape. Whew.

Margaret Atwood is a novelist and poet who also writes essays on occasion. Ron Rash is an equally and highly skilled writer of fiction, short stories and poetry. Joyce Carol Oates is an amazing writer in many genres. Her short stories and novels are equally good, but her poetry disappoints me. I'm afraid that this collection of poetry by Barbara Kingsolver is also disappointing. Kingsolver writes beautiful novels, excellent short stories, and great nonfiction. But her poetry fails to move me. Do...

I have read this book twice. I found myself in thrall after the first reading, her poetry stayed with me for years. After this second reading, I found myself amazed at how fresh it was, how relevant to our days and times. I had forgotten so much; I just remembered the beauty of her writing. This time I saw for the first time again the pain, the blood, but still, the beauty.This book speaks of love, of tenderness, of cruelty, of loss. This book speaks of life in all its beauty and its grit, and d...

This book is a collection of poems about “Another America,” that is different for those with privilege than for those who don’t. Each poem tells a story and examines racism and discrimination that the author witnessed at a close range. Overall, this is a good poetry book to read over several sittings. The poems themselves are powerful and each able to tell a unique story. This is a book that I would like to read again and would recommend to poetry readers.

Kingsolver and translator Cartes present a bilingual collection of poetry, written by Kingsolver during her time living in Tucson, Arizona after graduating from college.To me, the most striking part of the book was the new introduction which contextualized the volume in the 2020s (it was originally published in 1998). As someone who moved to Arizona after college and experienced the different world that existed there, it really resonated with me. Some of the poems also resonated but many seemed

This was interesting because it was a Spanish translation of a previously published poems. So each poem is listed in both Spanish and English as well as the intro section. But oddly that leaves about 50 pages of actual content (x2 for the translation) and then the English and Spanish translation of the introduction. It was just extremely short for a book collection.

I found this book to be a very strong book, with strong prose, discussing strong feelings and emotions about difficult topics. There is little nuance here for the faint of heart. It is a good read for those who view America through the lens of "Mayberry", or "Happy Days" and wish to broaden their horizon. I enjoyed reading this book and gaining an additional [email protected]

I recently read her newest poetry book. This was her very first book. Her talent was onvious then, as now. The subject matter as relevant now as then. She can fit the horrors of authoritarianism into poetry to bring such touching clarity.

A fine collection of poems based on Kingsolver's experiences in Arizona.

Kingslover writes a powerful book.

Considering this was first published in 1992, it’s amazing (and depressing) how relevant these themes remain today.

A collection of amazing poetry from one of my favourite writers. I only read the English version, obviously. The poems are rich, varied and I was impressed by the language and imagery.

I love Barbara Kingsolver. She definitely has a way with words. But somehow I like her prose better. I liked the Spanish translations of the poems, I liked the flow of words and images, but these poems were a little too raw and angry for me. That impression may have something to do with the fact that I read many of them with my 2-year-old beside me asking me to read them to him. He seemed to enjoy the cadence of the words, but sometimes I had to stop reading just in case he was capturing the ima...

Kingsolver's poetic themes range from dealing with war, man's inhumanity to man, abuse, and rape to family and human rights. She tends to be quite political...but not offensively so. I especially like "Middle Daughters," which she read outloud at the American Library Association conference in SLC, "Deadline" and "The Loss of My Arms and Legs." My copy of the book is signed by Kingsolver.

I love Kingsolver, but she is not a poet. Some of these poems are good, but some I know I liked just because they're political.

I am still haunted by "This House I Cannot Leave".

Her poetry is equal to her prose, excellent.

Some wonderful poems, especially if interested in women's rights and immigration rights with some light hearted topics dropped in. Highly recommended even if you don't read much poetry.

3.5. Love the Barbara!

The difference between American poetry and our own is interesting

Beautiful, earthy, political, and socially-conscious poetry from the great Barbara Kingsolver.

I love her prose, but was not as taken by her poetry. I appreciate her point of view, and the Spanish translation was beautifully done.

Amazing, I love poetry books and this is one of my favourites.

I wouldn't have understood many of the poems if I hadn't first read The Country Under My Skin by Gioconda Belli and Blood on the Border by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz.

have read none of her novels. hoping to find more poems. wow.

Searing, hard, and haunting.