Blue on a Blue Palette

by Lynne Thompson

Lynne Thompson’s Blue on a Blue Palette reflects on the condition of women—their joys despite their histories, and their insistence on survival as issues of race, culture, pandemic, and climate threaten their livelihoods. The documentation of these personal odysseys—which vary stylistically from abecedarians to free verse to centos—replicate the many ways women travel through the stages of their lives, all negotiated on a palette encompassing various shades of blue. These poems demand your attention, your “ Say history. Claim. Say wild. ”

Genres: Poetry

122 pages, Paperback

Published April 16, 2024

Reviews

[Anna Leahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read Lynne Thompson’s poetry since Beg No Pardon. This new book is Thompson at her most bold and most beautiful—“as in the end of worlds, / the end being the beginning.” This is a book about the maturing and maturity of women and about histories and futures of humanity. Wow.

[Jessi Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so this was a great book! In class, we discussed how the meaning behind the book title "Blue on a Blue Palette" not only portrays significance and connotation for the color Blue but also the idea of the mundane, ordinary, and known. Although mundane things don't stand out on a daily basis, poetry and art can set them apart from how we normally perceive them. There are different shades of blue and therefor different ways of seeing the same thing.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

My first reaction to this masterful collection of poetry was honest and emotional. The vivid imagery in the author’s writing style elevated the passion and themes of these poems greatly, allowing the reader to immerse themselves in the culture and experiences the author conveyed throughout this collection.

The history and ideas that the author confronted in this book were powerful to read. Tackling everything from racism and sexism to the culture surrounding womanhood and what it means to be a woman, to begin with, the collection infused a mixture of humor, wit, and thought-provoking discussion to help showcase the struggle and experiences so many women, including women of color, have had to endure for centuries.

The Verdict

Memorable, honest, and engaging author Lynne Thompson’s “Blue on a Blue Palette” is a must-read poetry collection. The emotion and heart with which the author spoke and the insight that these poems provide for these particular experiences made this collection readers will return to time and time again.