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avicos's review against another edition
4.0
What is haunting here is not just the beautiful language, but her command over thematic consistency. You'd think the story of Persephone told so many times could get boring. Not the case here. Her story acts as a vehicle of exploration of soul, afterlife, mind, mortality. All of those things, given their vagueness and connectedness, might seem like they are the same, but not the way Gluck tells it.
aurqra's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful collection. I loved the references to mythology.
draculas_ghost's review against another edition
5.0
This might be one of my favourite poetry collections to date. I was excited before reading, throughout reading and after reading. Glück really did wonders with this, from the experience of being a woman and daughter to the overwhelming emotions surrounding death and grief. Will definitely go back and reread these poems many times!
lisa_nog's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of underwhelming? I need to read The Wild Iris, I guess. Surprised this won a Nobel.
helenskaa's review against another edition
5.0
The myth of Hades and Persephone with a twist. Poetry that brackets this story and takes us on a journey to understand the poet's point of view of the myth. I adored this collection and really need to read more Louise Glück.
beccahailu's review against another edition
This collection is my first Gluck. It is a very intellectual 'catch me if you can' collection. The writing is constantly going back and forth and hoping that the ambivalence will create something which ends up falling flat and feeling empty although in the velvet glove of a certain undoubtable lyricism. Gluck has a way with words no doubt but it doesn't leave any impact. It felt like reading nothing. The few glimmering moments were quickly undermined perhaps out of the fear of landing in a cliche. Ultimately, the poems offer a quick trip nowhere.
chrisralonso's review against another edition
4.0
I'm so glad I read this. Many of these poems are inspired by the myth of Hades and Persephone and the consequences that resulted from that. Glück has some sharp, killer lines in here. I'm not used to reviewing poetry, but I think if reading a line makes you stop and think about it for a while, then the writer did what they wanted you to.