Medium

by Johanna Skibsrud

From award-winning writer Johanna Skibsrud,  Medium  uses language as a bridge across experience, sensibility, and time.

?? These deeply resonant and performative poems share the lives and perspectives of women who―in their roles as biological, physical, or spiritual mediums―have helped to shape the course of history. Reckoning with the dominant historical narratives of each woman’s era, Skibsrud underscores the power of poetry to bring about new formulations for understanding the relationship between past and present, self and other. 
Helen of Troy, Anne Boleyn, Shakuntala Devi, Hypatia of Alexandria, Marie Curie, Chien-Shiung   Medium  interprets the voices of women vilified by history, silenced by famous husbands, forced into sex work, or wrongly accused.
Each exploration begins with a brief vignette inspired by the “vidas” that once began manuscripts of the troubadours. Both vidas and poems provide lyrical reinterpretations of real and imagined elements in the lives of scholars, scientists, computer engineers, mystics, entrepreneurs, artists, nurses, and other leaders.

Genres: Poetry

120 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2024

About the author

Johanna Skibsrud is a Canadian writer whose debut novel The Sentimentalists, winner of the Scotiabank Giller Prize. She is also the author of This Will Be Difficult to Explain, as well as two poetry collections. She lives in Tucson, Arizona.

Reviews

[Sharon Ouderkirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johanna Skibsrud's new collection of poetry is a tribute to woment over the centuries. Each poem is in honour of a specific woman whose life and legacy acts as a window that surveys the past from one view, and looks forward to the future from the other. She has chosen to honour mystics and prophets, religious figures, NASA mathematicians, political leeaders, and mythological goddesses. The commonality is that their lives bridged us to distant shores, often at significant cost to them. An example of her creative subject choices would be Eliza Grace Symonds, whose deafness inspired her son, Alexander Graham Bell to be interested in the qualities of sound that can travel. Another example is Norma McCorvey, the 'Roe' of Roe v Wade, whose choice to end a pregnancy affected American women for the next fifty years.
I found Skibsrud's poems to be thrilling in their tantalizing reveal of new perspectives on overlooked lives. She has honoured specific women, but by extension of her work, Skibsrud is urging her readers to look at all lives with fresh eyes, to question the received narrative, to walk across the bridges built by women with a consciousness of respect.
Each poem is a totality and does not lend itself to quotations in a review. There are lines that made me laugh out loud with the sarcasm directed at those who have held unfair power, and revelations of prejudices that I had not considered. Some poems did not speak to me, but I suspect that is because I didn't fully appreciate the subject, so I will do a little further review and revisit these poems. I will read this book on an ongoing basis, and recommend it to any thoughtful woman (or man) who is interested in the lives of those who have gone before them.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling anthology highlighting women’s resilience and strength.

How did the book make me feel/think?

In “Medium” Skibsrud’s evocative language vividly brings to life women traditionally overlooked by history, allowing readers to connect with their struggles laced with misogynistic oppression.

Her striking imagery and poignant metaphors make these women’s experiences deeply felt, giving them a voice to tell their stories.

Skibsrud encourages re-evaluating societal norms and the established narratives that shape our understanding of history.

“Medium” is a compelling anthology highlighting women’s resilience and strength throughout history. Skibsrud’s poetic prowess is apparent throughout the collection, making it essential for anyone interested in the powerful yet often untold stories of influential women who were vilified and silenced by their infamous husbands. It shines a bright light on historical realities and possibilities—if only we are willing to listen to the ghosts of our past.

WRITTEN: 6 May 2024

[Sabrina A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not only such a cool concept but so beautifully executed and impactful. I loved her use of repetition and the inclusion of the vidas before each piece to give context to the women who inspired it. Would recommend to everyone, a delight from cover to cover.

[Robin Blackburn McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Medium, Johanna Skibsrud's poems explore the stories of specific women and mythic characters “vilified over time, silenced by famous husbands, forced into sex work, or wrongly accused.” Through this work, the author challenges the historical narratives of each woman’s time and place.

I enjoyed learning about the famous and not-so-famous figures Skibsrud chose to include. Preceded by a brief and fascinating portrait story, every poem comes to life through the voice of its speaker who acts as a medium, revealing fresh details and insights—Skibsrud’s lyrical reinterpretations. The work is researched and also highly imaginative.

These poems and women call me back to them.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these poems told from the perspectives of influential women throughout history such as Rachel Carson and Anne Boleyn. I liked the short bios before each poem. My fave poems are I Begin to Loathe the King and Don’t Touch Me.

Thank you to Book*hug Press for my gifted review copy!