Bring Down the Chandeliers

by Tara Hardy

Tara Hardyïes first book of poems explores the glory, garden and grit of wound while aiming at the bulls-eye of redemption. Translating what the body knows into text, she writes about love, betrayal, sex, war, addiction, regret, and forgiveness. From flat out advice to a trauma survivor, to what roils inside Adamïes rib, to sex from the perspective of her hair, these poems strive to come to terms with human flaw and its aftermath. Through personal narrative, her work deepens our understanding of larger cultural splits, among them victim/perpetrator, gay/straight, urban/rural, coastal/middle, poor/privileged, self/other. These poems press us to work shame into joy, rage into art, and regret into possibility.

Genres: Poetry, LGBT, Queer

Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2011

Reviews

[Sabina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Faced with choosing
between rape and mouth,
I choose strawberry."

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up as part of a reading challenge to read a collection of poetry. I'm not very "good" at reading poetry and am very new to it. A handful of the poems resonated with me, but I'm not sure I understood all of them. This was a good challenging, stretch read for me.

[Verity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything to me.

Life Saving and affirming.

[Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I even...?

Okay, imagine if a book could punch you in the jaw.

Hard.

And imagine if immediately after being punched, you fell deeply, irrevocably, painfully, sincerely, fabulously in love with that very same book.

You with me?

I hereby present Bring Down the Chandeliers by Tara Hardy.

Shocking, vivid, gorgeous poetry, fearless and raw and-

I'm going to stop here, because I could go on forever.

But just read it, okay?

(note: MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING for abuse and eating disorders)

[Emma Newport · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tara Hardy is one of the rawest poets I've ever read. Her poems almost hurt every time I read one. But I cherish that about her writing. Her work inspires me to write my own, and her subject matter relates to me on a very deep and personal level. Her words may be harsh, but there's a softness and a vulnerability to them as well. She's becoming one of my favorite poets, and I can't wait to read more of her work.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a quote on the cover of this book which says "I want to read this book out loud to those I love." This quote perfectly sums up my feelings about Bring Down the Chandeliers. Tara Hardy is beyond gifted with words and beyond cursed with experience. She is among the greatest living poets and should be shared with everyone who feels too much and who copes with words. I cannot give this book enough praise.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once, Tara Hardy saved me. Read this book. Give it to the people you love.

[CK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tara Hardy is my new favorite poet.

[Amy Drennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original Name and Uncommon Woman would have been worth the price of admission... wonderful collection.

[Acacia Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate this up! Oh my this beautiful touching, strong touches thing not often touched amazing so it read it find it do it now! I will give this a chat on my channel! I'm just blown always!!!!