theliteraryteapot's reviews
285 reviews

This could have been a good introduction to feminism but instead it's homophobic and transphobic. Disappointed.

Started reading for my bachelor's in English-speaking literature and linguistics (probably around 2016). Flashforward to 2022 and I decided to pick it up again. I firmly believe this Langston Hughes' selection changed my relationship to poetry. I used to hate it (school and stuff), now, I have read a lot more and I even write poems.

I enjoyed this book, particularly his former collections. I really like Hughes' jazz poetry style and the use of orality and the themes. I'm loving his ability to have such an impact in such short yet powerful and poetic lines. A great poet, he contributed so much to Black/African American poetry and literature. I wish he didn't use the g-word though, it's a slur used against the Roma. Plus every time I see a mention of the Roma or a romani representation, it's usually that old fortune teller cliché and I've had enough.

All that being said, here are some of my favourite poems:
"My People"
"Sea Calm"
"Border Line"
"Suicide's Note"
"Lament over Love"
"Southern Mammy Sings"
"Note on Commercial Theatre"
"Who But the Lord?"

This essay, A Small Place, is a very well written literary portrayal of Antigua, where the author Jamaica Kincaid was born and grew up.

The first section is mainly written in the second person singular and I really liked it. The author is directly talking to white people, in particular tourists.
The author definitely does not hold back, she had things to say and is very honest. There is so much anger, which she explains by talking about colonisation, corruption, tourism, the way Antiguans have constantly been treated. But there's clearly much love as well, for her native country.

I also appreciated the preface Jamaica Kincaid wrote for the 2018 edition. She gave a glimpse of the publishing history and reception of the essay.

This is a quick read I recommend to everyone.

"For, poet, once you’re given a voice,
From you all else is taken." 

This is one of those cases where I wish I could read a work in its native language. Translating poetry is an incredibly difficult task and it can never truly give justice.

Marina Tsvetaeva's poetry was very emotional and that's usually what I look for the most when reading poetry. But I felt a bit lost sometimes, it was at times a bit hard to get what she was talking about. I think because of how her poetry seems to be drawn from such a personal and heartbroken space, you need to know about her, her tragic life as well as Russian history beforehand.

It's still very much interesting to read about how she chronicled this time period in Russia, while keeping in mind this is the point of view of a rather pro-imperialist person.
3.5/5.