Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Andrews McMeel Publishing (2017), 208 pages
Description
"From Amanda Lovelace, a poetry collection in four parts: the princess, the damsel, the queen, and you. The first three sections piece together the life of the author while the final section serves as a note to the reader. This moving book explores love, loss, grief, healing, empowerment, and inspiration."--Publisher's website.
User reviews
LibraryThing member lamotamant
I feel slightly coated in dastardly horribleness for rating this two stars. It's sticky and rather uncomfortable. Ick. I'm also being trailed by a comic thought bubble whose intentions are dubious at best. Right now it's vacillating between rating this one or two stars. Earlier it captured a
I respect the hell out of Amanda Lovelace for putting herself out there. Her medium of doing so may not have ticked the boxes for me but nothing diminishes my awe for the fortitude such vulnerability takes. I think that's my biggest takeaway from this collection. Well, this and
when i had
no friends
i reached inside
my beloved
books
& sculpted some
out of
12 pt
times new roman.
–& it was almost good enough.
Yep, the presentation makes me harken back to Tumblr posts (not going to equivocate here, both posts reblogged and created by yours truly) with odd spacing and typewriter font. Still, it's a sentiment that resonates with anyone that's experienced the escapism the books lining our shelves have brought us. Emotion is the thing plainly clad in Lovelace's collection; her love of books equally visible. It's not surprising that plenty would find poignant comfort or enjoyment in The Princess.
It's also not surprising that reviews would span the polarized gamut. We're such a visual society– a cultural propensity that is a huge mainstay of the success of social media pillars, like Tumblr, where we might find this format easier to consume. We're also a society that is hammered over the head in machine gun staccato by what a poem should look like, sound like, feel like, and how it should be autopsied by the established and well-trod Lit class formula. If I'd stumbled onto Lovelace's collection as a high school version of myself, it might have held the same seductive quality as my first introduction to slam poetry that took place in a small classroom where a few students gathered under the name of the Dead Poet's Society to revel in junk food, poetry, and a considerable amount of black eyeliner between us. I had quite a lot of fun with what felt/feels like
random
spacing
then
as well.
In the face of structure, anything can seem a rebellion. In the face of experience, the evolution of the emotions caused should have a release. I'm all for that release; I'd consider form a minor consideration in comparison. Form certainly adds to whatever you're putting out into the world but it is also heavily about its consumption. It's a bridge to that third wall that you must travel no matter the medium of your release, the Ouroboros of any work. Someone isn't going to like the result while someone else may be profoundly moved by it.
Regardless of what camp you rally around, it feels like this was something Lovelace needed to write. Regardless of whether it ended up being a selection of Tumblr-esque posts floating from one blog to the next on the reblog tide, a journal entry, a book that would win a GR Choice Award in its category– it was a spark lit long before concept met form. I'm not sure that anything better could be said of an author than that they wrote what they needed to. I guess this must be why any earlier vacillation between one and two stars was unavailing. One-star ratings tend to signify a particular loathing for a book, in the absence of GR implementing a 'dump this in a pit of doom after it's been trampled by a herd of pogo sticks' rating option. I don't foresee me coming back to this book at any point but I like that it has a place out there in the world and there are people that appreciate it, are moved by it, may have needed something just like it. Future two-star ratings might have to become synonymous with 'eh, no pogo stick trampling or doom pits necessary.' That sounds about right.
I can't say
I ever thought
I might
discuss
POGO STICKS
in a
book review.
–the image of a herd of pogo sticks being oddly fascinating for no apparent reason.
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watercolor representation of my heart shrinking four sizes à la Grinch. I respect the hell out of Amanda Lovelace for putting herself out there. Her medium of doing so may not have ticked the boxes for me but nothing diminishes my awe for the fortitude such vulnerability takes. I think that's my biggest takeaway from this collection. Well, this and
when i had
no friends
i reached inside
my beloved
books
& sculpted some
out of
12 pt
times new roman.
–& it was almost good enough.
Yep, the presentation makes me harken back to Tumblr posts (not going to equivocate here, both posts reblogged and created by yours truly) with odd spacing and typewriter font. Still, it's a sentiment that resonates with anyone that's experienced the escapism the books lining our shelves have brought us. Emotion is the thing plainly clad in Lovelace's collection; her love of books equally visible. It's not surprising that plenty would find poignant comfort or enjoyment in The Princess.
It's also not surprising that reviews would span the polarized gamut. We're such a visual society– a cultural propensity that is a huge mainstay of the success of social media pillars, like Tumblr, where we might find this format easier to consume. We're also a society that is hammered over the head in machine gun staccato by what a poem should look like, sound like, feel like, and how it should be autopsied by the established and well-trod Lit class formula. If I'd stumbled onto Lovelace's collection as a high school version of myself, it might have held the same seductive quality as my first introduction to slam poetry that took place in a small classroom where a few students gathered under the name of the Dead Poet's Society to revel in junk food, poetry, and a considerable amount of black eyeliner between us. I had quite a lot of fun with what felt/feels like
random
spacing
then
as well.
In the face of structure, anything can seem a rebellion. In the face of experience, the evolution of the emotions caused should have a release. I'm all for that release; I'd consider form a minor consideration in comparison. Form certainly adds to whatever you're putting out into the world but it is also heavily about its consumption. It's a bridge to that third wall that you must travel no matter the medium of your release, the Ouroboros of any work. Someone isn't going to like the result while someone else may be profoundly moved by it.
Regardless of what camp you rally around, it feels like this was something Lovelace needed to write. Regardless of whether it ended up being a selection of Tumblr-esque posts floating from one blog to the next on the reblog tide, a journal entry, a book that would win a GR Choice Award in its category– it was a spark lit long before concept met form. I'm not sure that anything better could be said of an author than that they wrote what they needed to. I guess this must be why any earlier vacillation between one and two stars was unavailing. One-star ratings tend to signify a particular loathing for a book, in the absence of GR implementing a 'dump this in a pit of doom after it's been trampled by a herd of pogo sticks' rating option. I don't foresee me coming back to this book at any point but I like that it has a place out there in the world and there are people that appreciate it, are moved by it, may have needed something just like it. Future two-star ratings might have to become synonymous with 'eh, no pogo stick trampling or doom pits necessary.' That sounds about right.
I can't say
I ever thought
I might
discuss
POGO STICKS
in a
book review.
–the image of a herd of pogo sticks being oddly fascinating for no apparent reason.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Petroglyph
This book is a collection of motivational poster copy, straightforwardly worded social justice slogans and teenage woes that have collectively been typographically arranged to mimic the look of poetry. I get that this may be inspirational to some people, but it isn't to me. I get that the author
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had to write her childhood abuse into words, but I'm not convinced this was the best outlet. I don't even agree that many of these texts qualify as poetry. Show Less
LibraryThing member oddandbookish
This was an amazing read. So powerful and full of raw and real emotion. The first two chapters were really heavy content wise. I particularly loved the last 2 chapters (the queen and you) because they were really inspiring. I loved how feminist it was as well. Overall, an excellent poetry
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collection. Show Less
LibraryThing member Gingermama
I don't read a lot of poetry, so I was surprised at how strongly this little volume spoke to me. The topics range from child abuse to grief and loss, but they also offer themes of survival and hope. Highly recommended.
LibraryThing member ReadersCandyb
Few words and simple phrases can portray truth and utter beauty. They can open up your soul and flood you with deep rooted emotion. Words are wisdom. Words are encouragement. And Words are the way we exploit our true inner selves. This book had a way of making me want to dive deep into the pages
I forsee many re-reads in my near future. It was a flawless masterpiece that every person should read.
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and explore meanings hidden beneath the surface. It empowered me and gave me a better perspective of how to live. It moved me in ways I never knew possible. It proved that less is more and captured the essence of finding light in the darkness. I forsee many re-reads in my near future. It was a flawless masterpiece that every person should read.
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LibraryThing member Silvernfire
Last summer, I was on the bus from the Twin Cities to Milwaukee, and I was reading Eleanor & Park. I had a fun conversation with my seatmate, who recognized the book from the page layout—even though I was reading the ebook—and who told me how she'd read it and loved it. I hadn't been expecting
Okay, I'm not sure I loved this book, but I liked it a lot and I'm glad I have a print copy. I will definitely be tracking down its sequel. Accessible poetry: yay! It's not a gentle read by any means—it's got trigger warnings for a reason—but it was compelling and enticing and I read the whole book in about 40 minutes. And will probably be rereading parts of it, which doesn't happen with most books I read.
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that, but then again, this happens with novels. I really wasn't expecting it with a book of poetry, though, but that happened this afternoon with this one. I was at a bus stop, and a woman walking by left her companion for a moment to dash over to me and tell me how much she loved this book. "I recognized it by how the words are spaced on the page."Okay, I'm not sure I loved this book, but I liked it a lot and I'm glad I have a print copy. I will definitely be tracking down its sequel. Accessible poetry: yay! It's not a gentle read by any means—it's got trigger warnings for a reason—but it was compelling and enticing and I read the whole book in about 40 minutes. And will probably be rereading parts of it, which doesn't happen with most books I read.
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LibraryThing member CassieWinters
I went into this poetry collection with an open mind, but found myself not engaged with it. My 2 star review is how I felt about it, but others could very well be mesmerized by Lovelace's verse. I hate to be cliched, but I think this collection made me realize as a reader poetry is lost on me. As a
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result, my review probably isn't the best one to look at. I didn't find myself taken in by her words but instead felt put off by them. This collection probably means the world to someone else, so I will leave my review here. Show Less
LibraryThing member thebacklistbook
Wow....Not for the first time, the English language has failed me entirely. I just, wow. What will stick with me the most is the courage and faith that it took to write something this intensely personal.
I think that it takes an incredible amount of strength and self-love to be able to admit to
This book should absolutely be required reading at the high school level. I firmly believe that. If you do nothing else for the rest of the year; read this poetry anthology.
I think that it takes an incredible amount of strength and self-love to be able to admit to
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oneself that you have been emotionally abused, and that it doesn't stop you from still hoping that they will change. This book should absolutely be required reading at the high school level. I firmly believe that. If you do nothing else for the rest of the year; read this poetry anthology.
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LibraryThing member ecataldi
I started with her second collection first (which I loved!), but hell this book is just as good! Amanda Lovelace writes powerful poetry that women will instantly relate to. Even though this collection primarily deals with dark themes (depression, abuse, rape, suicide, and more), it ultimately ends
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hopeful. Each poem is about how the world and people can (and will) let you down, but then exalts the ways in which we can build ourselves back up and be our own heroes. Proud, feminist, and empowering; this poetry collection is great for women of all ages. Show Less
LibraryThing member haileymary
You know a book will be great when it starts out mentioning Harry Potter and it continues to get better with each page you turn.
This collection of poetry can be described as "the story of a princess turned damsel turned queen" like the back of the book says.
This is something that every female can
This is inspiring, empowering, and something that everyone needs to read, no matter their age because it's never too late to become your knight you've been waiting for.
I have a deep connection with this book of poetry, Amanda Lovelace took all those thoughts, feelings and words that I've been thinking for years and she put them on paper for everyone to read. This made me feel like I'm not as alone as I've always felt.
I will recommend this book to everyone I meet, to every person going through something difficult, to every girl out there feeling lost and alone, to everyone who needs a helping hand, to those ones silently begging to be saved.
This is a quick read, an easy read, but it's a powerful read. This is a book that you should take a chance on of you're unsure. I will be reading this again.
This collection of poetry can be described as "the story of a princess turned damsel turned queen" like the back of the book says.
This is something that every female can
Show More
relate to in one way or another. It starts out as being a child with that innocence, being naive and thinking that this time will be different. From there, it goes into your spiraling downfall, that feeling of being alone, empty and lost, needing someone to save you. Then, finally you realize the only way who can save you is yourself. It talks about that strength you get when you realize you deserve better, that you are better than you have ever given yourself credit for.This is inspiring, empowering, and something that everyone needs to read, no matter their age because it's never too late to become your knight you've been waiting for.
I have a deep connection with this book of poetry, Amanda Lovelace took all those thoughts, feelings and words that I've been thinking for years and she put them on paper for everyone to read. This made me feel like I'm not as alone as I've always felt.
I will recommend this book to everyone I meet, to every person going through something difficult, to every girl out there feeling lost and alone, to everyone who needs a helping hand, to those ones silently begging to be saved.
This is a quick read, an easy read, but it's a powerful read. This is a book that you should take a chance on of you're unsure. I will be reading this again.
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LibraryThing member clear_tranquil
Absolutely gorgeous. Everyone should read this!
LibraryThing member Lukerik
I found this for £1 in a charity shop and admit I bought it solely for the title. I took it to be an obscure self-published work that I would probably have to get the Goodreads librarians to create a record for. Was somewhat surprised to find it has nigh-on 8,000 reviews and won the GR awards a
On first opening the book I took it to be poetry, but on getting my nose into it, found it rather to be formatted prose. Each page has two or three sentences which have been laid out in an interesting way. Sometimes the formatting refers to the subject of the sentences. There’s one which mentions a lock and key and the text is shaped like a key hole. Sometimes the formatting is designed to draw out meaning. Sometimes... I had no idea what she had in mind.
As to the contents, I particularly enjoyed how she plays with her meta-position as author. The text is in four parts and at first you don’t know if the ‘I’ is the princess or the author, or if the author herself is a persona.
In the second part there are inconsistencies in the backstory from the first part and I realised that what we have are four stories, snapshots of lives, pieces of a jigsaw puzzle which the reader has to assemble, and which will always have pieces missing. Yet even in the later parts she cannot help toying with you as the ‘I’ refers to herself sometimes by the moniker the author goes by on Tumblr.
And the fourth part is addressed to ‘you’. Yet is the ‘you’ me, or an unspeaking character in the fiction, or is the author talking to herself?
All very clever and intellectually stimulating. And remarkable what she is able to achieve given the tight restraints of form that she has placed on herself. An experiment, and largely a successful one. Yet I think there is a reason no other postmodern authors write like this; to be truly satisfying fiction needs to be more than an intellectual game. I think Lovelace was a teenager when she wrote this. I would be interested to see if she uses plot in her later works. A writer to watch.
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few years back. Lovelace seems to be some sort of social media type. I see she has since found herself a proper publisher, and good for her.On first opening the book I took it to be poetry, but on getting my nose into it, found it rather to be formatted prose. Each page has two or three sentences which have been laid out in an interesting way. Sometimes the formatting refers to the subject of the sentences. There’s one which mentions a lock and key and the text is shaped like a key hole. Sometimes the formatting is designed to draw out meaning. Sometimes... I had no idea what she had in mind.
As to the contents, I particularly enjoyed how she plays with her meta-position as author. The text is in four parts and at first you don’t know if the ‘I’ is the princess or the author, or if the author herself is a persona.
In the second part there are inconsistencies in the backstory from the first part and I realised that what we have are four stories, snapshots of lives, pieces of a jigsaw puzzle which the reader has to assemble, and which will always have pieces missing. Yet even in the later parts she cannot help toying with you as the ‘I’ refers to herself sometimes by the moniker the author goes by on Tumblr.
And the fourth part is addressed to ‘you’. Yet is the ‘you’ me, or an unspeaking character in the fiction, or is the author talking to herself?
All very clever and intellectually stimulating. And remarkable what she is able to achieve given the tight restraints of form that she has placed on herself. An experiment, and largely a successful one. Yet I think there is a reason no other postmodern authors write like this; to be truly satisfying fiction needs to be more than an intellectual game. I think Lovelace was a teenager when she wrote this. I would be interested to see if she uses plot in her later works. A writer to watch.
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LibraryThing member carlahaunted
There is promise here, yes. But there is also pretentiousness. And much of it.
(One should not name-check Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, and Virginia Woolf in their first boom of poetry. Be your own poet for some time first before claiming sisters in the word.)
Also, Amanda’s style of naming or
(One should not name-check Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, and Virginia Woolf in their first boom of poetry. Be your own poet for some time first before claiming sisters in the word.)
Also, Amanda’s style of naming or
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footnoting—I could not tell which—each poem with an italicized aside at the end was jolting for me as a reader, and made each of these feel rather like a zinger, like Amanda herself popping up to chortle “See what I did there?” A poem would resonate with me, then be abruptly bookended by this screeching halt to the flow. These extra endings made me feel as if she as the writer didn’t trust me as the reader to get it, and had to give me a hint as to each poem’s meaning. That violates the contract of the nebulousness of poetry; what the writer meant when she rang the bell may mean something different to every ear that hears its tone, and therein lies poetry’s resounding, and compelling, beauty. There must be trust for the readers. Show Less
LibraryThing member Linyarai
I read this for the "A Book Containing Poetry" part of my 2020 reading challenge. I absolutely loved it! It was sad and moving and perfect and I can't wait to read it again.
LibraryThing member sarahlh
Ended up breezing through this one since it lacked substance or form or style. There are good ideas in here, but they are hampered by irritatingly quirky line breaks and stanza formations, literary cliches, mixed metaphors, and an overall lack of coherent narrative. Even at the end of the book, I
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didn't understand the narrator as a person, just a bunch of personality traits that liked to read. I can't say I enjoyed this one. Show Less
LibraryThing member tuusannuuska
I usually rate everything I read, but I feel it would be somewhat unfair to do so here. This didn't work for me, but I'm also really not the target demographic, and I'm sure had I read this as a fourteen or fifteen-year-old, this would have felt really deep and meaningful.
I hope writing this was
I hope writing this was
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really cathartic for the author. Show Less
LibraryThing member wanderlustlover
Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for a free copy for review,
and to Goodreads, who put this on my radar when it won the top book in the poetry genre for 2016.
This book blew me away -- socks, hair, heart and soul -- from nearly the very first words dedicating it to The Boy Who
I saw my own relationships with my dragons -- boys who loved me, but not enough or well enough, and girl friends who did not understand the friend part of that word the way I thought I did, or we did. I loved the discovery of self. Confused and faltering, fledging and demanding. The whole of love for the self, claimed slowly, and always with the ghosts of yesterday's which never leave entirely.
I nearly wept when she turned to the last chapter, the 'you', and she spoke out to all the people who have been hurt, marginalized and told so many things that are not true. I want to buy five hundred copies of this book and give it out to all my girlfriends on Galentines Day. I want to keep handing it out forever. This was gorgeous and it deserved every accolade laid at its feet and a million more on top of it. My heart now rests on that pile, with no regrets.
and to Goodreads, who put this on my radar when it won the top book in the poetry genre for 2016.
This book blew me away -- socks, hair, heart and soul -- from nearly the very first words dedicating it to The Boy Who
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Lived from The Girl Who Survived. I was hooked. I cried and choked, and saw myself in almost all of her poems. I saw the relationships with my mother, and my sisters, and food, and smoking and cancer. I saw the complicated way love and hurt are twined forever in a dance that exists both during the lives of those people and long after the parting from them. I saw my own relationships with my dragons -- boys who loved me, but not enough or well enough, and girl friends who did not understand the friend part of that word the way I thought I did, or we did. I loved the discovery of self. Confused and faltering, fledging and demanding. The whole of love for the self, claimed slowly, and always with the ghosts of yesterday's which never leave entirely.
I nearly wept when she turned to the last chapter, the 'you', and she spoke out to all the people who have been hurt, marginalized and told so many things that are not true. I want to buy five hundred copies of this book and give it out to all my girlfriends on Galentines Day. I want to keep handing it out forever. This was gorgeous and it deserved every accolade laid at its feet and a million more on top of it. My heart now rests on that pile, with no regrets.
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LibraryThing member ViragoReads
This was beautifully sad, heart-wrenching, disquieting, mind-opening, hopeful, and encouraging.
I felt so much while reading this book of poetry. The author bared her soul for the world to see and gave zero effs.
I love it.
I felt so much while reading this book of poetry. The author bared her soul for the world to see and gave zero effs.
I love it.
LibraryThing member funstm
poetry
/ˈpəʊɪtri/
noun
literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of literature.
It's true - this collection mostly doesn't rhyme. And the structure is not "traditional" - but that also
To be fair - there is nothing particularly original in this collection. It recycles a lot of ideas - but so do many books and films and songs. So can we really fault the author too much for that?
While not original or groundbreaking, I did love this collection. It was heartbreaking and hopeful and empowering and honest and raw and it packed a punch. There were some gems to be found - my personal favourites were;
here lie
the raw,
unpolished,
& mostly
disjointed
pieces of
my soul.
sticks & stones
never broke
my bones,
but words
made me
starve myself
until
you could
see all of them.
you
did
absolutely
nothing
to
deserve
it.
- fuck rape culture.
once upon
a time,
the princess
rose from the ashes
her dragon lovers
made of her
&
crowned
herself
the
motherfucking
queen of
herself.
- how’s that for a happily ever after?
Lovelace, Amanda. the princess saves herself in this one (p. 105). Andrews McMeel Publishing. Kindle Edition.
This won't be for everyone but I'd recommend it to lovers of fairy tales, teenagers, slam poetry enthusiasts, tumblr users (because while I don't think the whole tumblr poetry thing should be considered a bad thing - it does have some merit of truth - it is tumblr poetry) and anyone struggling with their self worth. I will definitely be reading more of the author's works.
/ˈpəʊɪtri/
noun
literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of literature.
It's true - this collection mostly doesn't rhyme. And the structure is not "traditional" - but that also
Show More
doesn't make it not poetry. Poetry is stories - stripped back to the raw emotions and feelings. This collection is very much like slam poetry and not everyone will like it - hell I find most people don't enjoy poetry full stop - but this collection is poetry. To be fair - there is nothing particularly original in this collection. It recycles a lot of ideas - but so do many books and films and songs. So can we really fault the author too much for that?
While not original or groundbreaking, I did love this collection. It was heartbreaking and hopeful and empowering and honest and raw and it packed a punch. There were some gems to be found - my personal favourites were;
here lie
the raw,
unpolished,
& mostly
disjointed
pieces of
my soul.
sticks & stones
never broke
my bones,
but words
made me
starve myself
until
you could
see all of them.
you
did
absolutely
nothing
to
deserve
it.
- fuck rape culture.
once upon
a time,
the princess
rose from the ashes
her dragon lovers
made of her
&
crowned
herself
the
motherfucking
queen of
herself.
- how’s that for a happily ever after?
Lovelace, Amanda. the princess saves herself in this one (p. 105). Andrews McMeel Publishing. Kindle Edition.
This won't be for everyone but I'd recommend it to lovers of fairy tales, teenagers, slam poetry enthusiasts, tumblr users (because while I don't think the whole tumblr poetry thing should be considered a bad thing - it does have some merit of truth - it is tumblr poetry) and anyone struggling with their self worth. I will definitely be reading more of the author's works.
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LibraryThing member booklover3258
I will continuously give these book 5 stars because they are amazing and so well written! This book is about abuse as a child, love, cancer and death. The shapes were amazing throughout and some of the words spread out within the poems were significant and truly touching.
LibraryThing member BarnesBookshelf
Amanda Lovelace has such powerful words and images in this book. I truly felt like I was following the story she wove throughout the poems. I'm not usually a lover of poems, but Lovelace's words spoke to me in a way few other poets have been able to. It's a tough read, but a necessary one.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2016-04-23
Physical description
208 p.; 9 inches
ISBN
144948641X / 9781449486419
UPC
050837403277