hennasfern's Reviews (299)

Though the information in the book is likely slightly irrelevent now the book made me want to go befriend the stars and watchtower every night.

At moments I was able to feel feminine power in the writing along with gaining an understanding of native Alaskan history but..... I don't really enjoy spending most of my reading time having to Google more information about what I am reading. I spent more time trying to research what I was reading about than being able to just sit and enjoy the poetry.

I think going into this book with a better understanding of Alaskan history would be useful before sitting down and starting.

This book isn't the best poetry I have ever read but instead I think it works more as a self help book for young girls and teens. I would definitely recommend this book for girls struggling to fit in and learn to love themselves.

I wanted to love this collection of poems but in all honesty the book felt like a confusing mess with no correlation between poems. Some sections felt like they flowed off each other while other felt choppy and random. I didn't hate the book and some of the poems were good but over all its not a collection of poetry I would rant and rave about or try to convince my friends to read.

"But I couldn't have brought the child here, I never identified it as mine; I didn't name it before it was born even, the way you're supposed to. It was my husband's, he imposed it on me, all the time it was growing in me I felt like an incubator. He measured everything he would let me eat, he was feeding it on me, he wanted a replica of himself; after it was born i was no more use. I couldn't prove it though; he was clever; he kept saying he loved me."

This book is one of the first books I have ever felt an emotional and spiritual connection to. I was recommended this book as a method for inspiration for my artwork 9 years ago and have only just read it now. I am happy I only just now read it, after having gone through what I have gone through this book connected with me in more ways than one.

Atwood's prose poetry throughout this book reminds me of my own healing process after I left an abusive relationship that was very similar to the narrator's.There were lines in this book that related very similarly to poetry and narrative that I had written years ago during my healing.

This book would not have had the same impact on me if I had read it when it was originally recommended to me and I am so happy I have read it now and gained this deep love and connection for it.

I enjoyed this book but it took me a while to get through because of the jargon. Over all it was a good read but likely won't be able to get through it again for a while.