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Bees, and After (Volume 119)
- GenresPoetry
96 pages, Hardcover
Published March 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 9, 2025
Was this meant to be understood by mere mortals? There was a talk of bees. It is unclear whether the author hates them, loves them, or both. There was a talk of crystals, photons, and various small particles. The author is fascinated with nature and how it's smallest particles work. However, the fascination and fun were for the exclusive use of the author, and not the reader. I was scratching my head reading the lines over and over until I realized there's no use, I could not grasp it.
John Liles, you are superiorly smarter than me. Here, hope you're satisfied.
Reader, if you feel an insatiable need to feel brainless, half-witted, or dull, or to just generally feel bad about yourself, this book is for you.
Maybe it's not my cup of tea, or maybe it's not the right time. I hope others enjoy it more.
Thank you, NetGalley, and Yale University Press for this digital copy
John Liles, you are superiorly smarter than me. Here, hope you're satisfied.
Reader, if you feel an insatiable need to feel brainless, half-witted, or dull, or to just generally feel bad about yourself, this book is for you.
Maybe it's not my cup of tea, or maybe it's not the right time. I hope others enjoy it more.
Thank you, NetGalley, and Yale University Press for this digital copy
dnf-ed
June 8, 2025I made it almost 30% of the way into this collection and was STRUGGLING!! I did not realize how science-heavy this collection would be and I believe this was written for a very niche audience. Sad as the synopsis sounded interesting, but I'm definitely not the target audience for this one!
May 14, 2025
I am usually not a huge poetry lover because the metaphors and symbolism tend to go right over my head. But, I do find myself gravitating towards the more straightforward poetry. When I saw that this compilation was about science, I knew I wanted to check it out.
This one is right up my alley in terms of straightforwardness. However, I do believe that this was meant for people that have more scientific knowledge than me. I took a year of science courses in college, but there were a lot of words and concepts in here that I did not fully understand, which detracted from my experience. I do think that academics in biology will probably love this, and it’s such a great way to instigate a crossover of the STEM and creative fields. There are many people within STEM majors/careers that would not normally pick up a poetry book because of the same reasons as I mentioned above. But this allows them to experience poetry in a way that is directly targeted to them.
I loved that the majority of the poems focus on existentialism. That has always been my favorite poetry topic and to combine it with nature visuals causes you to think more critically about real issues.
Thank you to Yale University Press for allowing me to read a copy of this compilation through Netgalley.
May 16, 2025
Overall, Liles' Bees, and After was a hit or miss poetry collection for me. Liles alternated between a very economical, abstract style, and a more confessional, evocative style. The latter style was far more enjoyable, inserting human experience within Liles' reflections upon nature's seasonal and life cycles. Poems like 'Half-life (opal)' took a 'hydrated and amorphous form of silica' and applied it to our sense of self and body - 'you are honey soft' / 'you / nothing like the other, hold / for a moment / one body of light'. Similarly, when the animal was used to understand relation between human beings in 'Restful amyg' - 'an animal I / flex into a dark so / easy'. And finally, the application of scientific terms to human experience was far more moving than when simply used in the abstract pieces - 'when the heart meets her / myocytes, she's electric' [My knowing better].
April 24, 2025
Bees, and After is a poignant reminder that nature and animalism extend to humans. We are part of the Earth’s ecosystem and survive on its offerings, as is made evident in ‘Without Which’. The direct addressing of nature/earth as “you” in ‘Without Which’ rekindles the reader’s intimacy with the planet. That “you lend honey bees/kindred ignitions/into the blue/unforgiving” serves as a reminder that without the gentle generosity of nature, we would not endure on this planet. For that we owe the planet gentleness and kindness too. After all, “this is how we survive”: by the hand of nature that provides all we need.
In these poems, human kind is reduced, or perhaps elevated, to the level of our animal counterpoints. In ‘The Steady State’, “what bleeds/our honey alights/our hearts”, making a beehive of the human heart. And I think that is something beautiful, to turn the beating of a heart, which implies a purely self-sustaining action into a cooperative act. The creation of honey comes from the effort of many bees collecting pollen from the outside world and bringing it back to the hive. In drawing the necessary parallels in this metaphor, the sustaining of the heart, of our humanity, is not an isolated act, but something that is made possible by our interactions with the world around us. We are sustained by that which we love and draw into our heart, creating our own sweetness.
While there were some metaphors that really struck a chord with me, I did feel slightly jarred by the absence of an obvious cadence to the poetry and some of the word-choices. That being said, the latter were clearly intentionally made and speak to the intersection of science and nature, so I do understand why the poet made these decisions, and this is really more a matter of personal taste than a comment on the poet’s capabilities as an author.
Overall, these poems oddly made me feel like I was back in a biology classroom, but in the best way possible. There were definitely standout lines and individual poems, however, I think my capacity to emotionally connect with the poems was thwarted by some of the scientific language. It created a degree of separation from the poems that seemed to contradict the intention of the poems to break down barriers between humans and nature. I would absolutely be intrigued by the author’s future works, given his deftness in drawing parallels between nature and human experience.
Thank you to Yale University Press for providing this book for review via NetGalley.
In these poems, human kind is reduced, or perhaps elevated, to the level of our animal counterpoints. In ‘The Steady State’, “what bleeds/our honey alights/our hearts”, making a beehive of the human heart. And I think that is something beautiful, to turn the beating of a heart, which implies a purely self-sustaining action into a cooperative act. The creation of honey comes from the effort of many bees collecting pollen from the outside world and bringing it back to the hive. In drawing the necessary parallels in this metaphor, the sustaining of the heart, of our humanity, is not an isolated act, but something that is made possible by our interactions with the world around us. We are sustained by that which we love and draw into our heart, creating our own sweetness.
While there were some metaphors that really struck a chord with me, I did feel slightly jarred by the absence of an obvious cadence to the poetry and some of the word-choices. That being said, the latter were clearly intentionally made and speak to the intersection of science and nature, so I do understand why the poet made these decisions, and this is really more a matter of personal taste than a comment on the poet’s capabilities as an author.
Overall, these poems oddly made me feel like I was back in a biology classroom, but in the best way possible. There were definitely standout lines and individual poems, however, I think my capacity to emotionally connect with the poems was thwarted by some of the scientific language. It created a degree of separation from the poems that seemed to contradict the intention of the poems to break down barriers between humans and nature. I would absolutely be intrigued by the author’s future works, given his deftness in drawing parallels between nature and human experience.
Thank you to Yale University Press for providing this book for review via NetGalley.
May 18, 2025
A reader can choose to read John Liles’ poetry collection Bees, and After in several ways (speaking as a casual reader of poetry). One way is slower, taking one’s time to piece together (and possibly look up) the perhaps unfamiliar and sometimes arcane scientific language, words like allelopathy, diatomaceous, or mesenchymals that are scattered throughout the collection. Reading this way reveals Lile’s remarkable awareness of the organic and inorganic world on a level most of us do not see or consider, as well as it highlights his precision in use of those terms. It’s a brave choice, but one that extends the idea of “nature” poetry beyond its usual incarnation.
On the other hand, one can just glide right by those unfamiliar words, following along with the no-less-precise, no-less-original images and language that require no further exploration while enjoying the warmly intimate addresses to the creatures, minerals, and other elements we share this planet and sometimes our body with, whether it’s a swarm of bees, a moth, some quartz, or our own heart. Do not lot those above words (or their brethren) scare you off. Not only can one follow the poems (not easily, don’t get me wrong—they do require attention), but there is an emotionality here despite (perhaps sometimes because of) that scientific language. And I have to say that Hall kills his endings, more so than most poets I read (again, as a casual reader). I found the payoffs time and time again were well worth the work even if an individual poem didn’t full engage me.
Finally, one could also easily simply revel in the sound play that permeates these poems, a wonderfully sprightly mix of consonance, alliteration, and near rhyme. As with the “b” sound here, in “Solar Photon”, where the title particle will
“Break/the body to burn,/butcher, and backbone/an atmosphere’s carbon”.
Or the interior rhyme of “stalagmite brush hushed a sea sponge,” the near-rhyme of “to spark open wax …/gristle and grasp.” The collection is rife with music, and one can enjoy it for that alone.
These poems, as noted, are not easy. And I confess to struggling with some, either to follow or in terms of an emotional connection. But even in those cases. I fully enjoyed their sound elements and, in the vast majority, felt an impact in their closing few lines. It’d say they repay the work to fully grasp them or if you want to just let them wash over you. 3.5
On the other hand, one can just glide right by those unfamiliar words, following along with the no-less-precise, no-less-original images and language that require no further exploration while enjoying the warmly intimate addresses to the creatures, minerals, and other elements we share this planet and sometimes our body with, whether it’s a swarm of bees, a moth, some quartz, or our own heart. Do not lot those above words (or their brethren) scare you off. Not only can one follow the poems (not easily, don’t get me wrong—they do require attention), but there is an emotionality here despite (perhaps sometimes because of) that scientific language. And I have to say that Hall kills his endings, more so than most poets I read (again, as a casual reader). I found the payoffs time and time again were well worth the work even if an individual poem didn’t full engage me.
Finally, one could also easily simply revel in the sound play that permeates these poems, a wonderfully sprightly mix of consonance, alliteration, and near rhyme. As with the “b” sound here, in “Solar Photon”, where the title particle will
“Break/the body to burn,/butcher, and backbone/an atmosphere’s carbon”.
Or the interior rhyme of “stalagmite brush hushed a sea sponge,” the near-rhyme of “to spark open wax …/gristle and grasp.” The collection is rife with music, and one can enjoy it for that alone.
These poems, as noted, are not easy. And I confess to struggling with some, either to follow or in terms of an emotional connection. But even in those cases. I fully enjoyed their sound elements and, in the vast majority, felt an impact in their closing few lines. It’d say they repay the work to fully grasp them or if you want to just let them wash over you. 3.5
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May 17, 20253.5 stars rounded up
The cover drew me in. The title was intriguing and gave a taste of the style of poetry. As someone who is a fan of E. E. Cummings' poetry, Liles' style was reminiscent of it in the way that he put his words together so that I felt them beyond their meanings.
After seeing so much poetry about mountains, planets, the sky and it's stars, it was refreshing and new to read about the miniscule and that which we cannot see. We begin with "Solar photon", something so small but so essential to all life, so, in a way, we begin at the beginning. Liles' transition from the half lives of compounds to "Half-life (animal)" was brilliant. His ability to humanize even the nonliving is wonderful and absolutely changed my perspective of the world.
The poetry was highly scientific. This is both a pro and a con. As someone who is studying chemistry, I never thought OIL RIG could become poetry --- it was delightful. However, in some parts it was so scientific that it limits its accessibility to even the more scientifically educated reader. The footnotes were helpful, but often not enough. Though, I found I could manage with the feeling amd context of the words that I didn't not know.
Overall, Liles' ability to employ words in such new ways is excellent, but the effect of this was perhaps inhibited by my lack of knowledge. I think that mixing science and poetry is lovely because poets may not often want to read about science, and scientists may not often want to read poetry, but, like this, these paths can cross. For me, personally, some poems hit harder than others, which explains my rating, but I'm glad I read this collection.
Thank you to Yale University Press for allowing me to read this via NetGalley.
The cover drew me in. The title was intriguing and gave a taste of the style of poetry. As someone who is a fan of E. E. Cummings' poetry, Liles' style was reminiscent of it in the way that he put his words together so that I felt them beyond their meanings.
After seeing so much poetry about mountains, planets, the sky and it's stars, it was refreshing and new to read about the miniscule and that which we cannot see. We begin with "Solar photon", something so small but so essential to all life, so, in a way, we begin at the beginning. Liles' transition from the half lives of compounds to "Half-life (animal)" was brilliant. His ability to humanize even the nonliving is wonderful and absolutely changed my perspective of the world.
The poetry was highly scientific. This is both a pro and a con. As someone who is studying chemistry, I never thought OIL RIG could become poetry --- it was delightful. However, in some parts it was so scientific that it limits its accessibility to even the more scientifically educated reader. The footnotes were helpful, but often not enough. Though, I found I could manage with the feeling amd context of the words that I didn't not know.
Overall, Liles' ability to employ words in such new ways is excellent, but the effect of this was perhaps inhibited by my lack of knowledge. I think that mixing science and poetry is lovely because poets may not often want to read about science, and scientists may not often want to read poetry, but, like this, these paths can cross. For me, personally, some poems hit harder than others, which explains my rating, but I'm glad I read this collection.
Thank you to Yale University Press for allowing me to read this via NetGalley.
August 2, 2025
Is "jargon poetry" a thing? If not, "Bees, and After" might be the first entry of a new genre that could easily be called that, or even "science-core".
It’s not the easiest read, but certainly a unique one.
This collection occupies a curious space where science meets art. John Liles experiments with form, often presenting poems in creative typographic layouts that visually echo the complexity of the subject matter.
Liles explores scientific phenomena through fragmented, lyrical, and frequently enigmatic verse. At times, reading it feels like browsing through a series of poeticized science lecture notes. While the poems rarely rhyme, there’s a rhythmic quality to the language that carries the reader through, as long as they don't get bogged down by trying to decipher the abundant technical terminology.
Luckily, Liles had the foresight to helpfully include footnotes for many of these terms. But, eventually, I stopped trying to analyze every scientific detail and instead read continuously, letting the rhythm and imagery wash over me.
Some topics hit close to home, like the heart beginning and ceasing to beat, or the fact that it’s the first organ to form and function. Others are wonderfully obscure, like a meditation on the most abundant mineral in the earth’s mantle.
Ultimately, some of these poems work beautifully and others less so. "Bees, and After" is not a book to breeze through, but for those willing to engage with it fully, it offers a thoughtful experience.
It’s not the easiest read, but certainly a unique one.
This collection occupies a curious space where science meets art. John Liles experiments with form, often presenting poems in creative typographic layouts that visually echo the complexity of the subject matter.
Liles explores scientific phenomena through fragmented, lyrical, and frequently enigmatic verse. At times, reading it feels like browsing through a series of poeticized science lecture notes. While the poems rarely rhyme, there’s a rhythmic quality to the language that carries the reader through, as long as they don't get bogged down by trying to decipher the abundant technical terminology.
Luckily, Liles had the foresight to helpfully include footnotes for many of these terms. But, eventually, I stopped trying to analyze every scientific detail and instead read continuously, letting the rhythm and imagery wash over me.
Some topics hit close to home, like the heart beginning and ceasing to beat, or the fact that it’s the first organ to form and function. Others are wonderfully obscure, like a meditation on the most abundant mineral in the earth’s mantle.
Ultimately, some of these poems work beautifully and others less so. "Bees, and After" is not a book to breeze through, but for those willing to engage with it fully, it offers a thoughtful experience.
July 7, 2025
I'm always down for someone trying to do something unconventional, meshing their interests in a way that is unique and personal to them. Which is what Liles did with this poetry collection, approaching natural sciences through a poets lens, or maybe poetry through a biologist lens. Thing is, if you do something like this, you cater to a very specific niche, and make it hard to appreciate your work fully for anyone outside of it. That's not bad, per se, but it creates a hurdle, especially if the reaser isn't made aware of what he is signing up for.
The truth is I didn't feel any soul in these poems. A deep appreciation for the topic and subjects at hand, yes, but zero emotional substance beyond it. At least none that came through. One can tell Liles cares deeply about the natural world around him, so it is unfortunate that he did not manage to make me feel anything at all. Now, not all poetry has to be gut-wrenching, but I was expecting to - at the very least - be intellectually stimulated in some capacity by something like this. Smart phrasing and words means little if that's all there is.
This is of course to large part subjective, and it's hard to gauge what others will connect with. It is simply not what I personally expected, look for, or enjoy in poetry. If what I said earlier about the nature of this work intriques you, who knows, you may like this collection.
-ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY, FROM YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS-
The truth is I didn't feel any soul in these poems. A deep appreciation for the topic and subjects at hand, yes, but zero emotional substance beyond it. At least none that came through. One can tell Liles cares deeply about the natural world around him, so it is unfortunate that he did not manage to make me feel anything at all. Now, not all poetry has to be gut-wrenching, but I was expecting to - at the very least - be intellectually stimulated in some capacity by something like this. Smart phrasing and words means little if that's all there is.
This is of course to large part subjective, and it's hard to gauge what others will connect with. It is simply not what I personally expected, look for, or enjoy in poetry. If what I said earlier about the nature of this work intriques you, who knows, you may like this collection.
-ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY, FROM YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS-
June 13, 2025
“Bee’s and after” by John Liles won the Yale Series of Younger Poets prize. That probably means something to someone. Admirable for sure. I guess I just expected more. There are a few good lines, but no really great poems. It feels like a scrambling mix of invertebrate zoology and anatomy textbook definitions masquerading as art. Listen, I’m the target audience for this. Me and this dude likely would wax poetic for hours about the nuances of wildlife and their influences on our writing…I bought it on cover art and back of the book blurbs alone. But…this book seems to fein depth and the reader must pretend that they’re somehow not intellectual enough to understand. Surely it’s a me problem. I did love the footnotes. All that said I still applaud the effort, this is obviously an accomplishment and something to be proud of on principle. It just ain’t for me, but what do I know.
April 28, 2025
Bees, and After (Volume 119) by John Liles
4.5
A dense & gorgeous look at the natural world around us.
What I loved 💕
💕the way the poetry highlights nature
💕 Looks at us as equal to other creatures
💕some fabulous poem title like ‘Amnesic Shellfish poisoning’
& ‘Head lost illuminating’
💕a younger poets collection
Surprise me 😮
😮 The poems feel more scientific than emotional at times
Quotes:
“when the dark goes down
And you are photon-lonely”
Ideal reader ⭐️:
⭐️ People looking for a poetry collection that is more scientific
⭐️ People looking for a poetry collection that centres animals
4.5
A dense & gorgeous look at the natural world around us.
What I loved 💕
💕the way the poetry highlights nature
💕 Looks at us as equal to other creatures
💕some fabulous poem title like ‘Amnesic Shellfish poisoning’
& ‘Head lost illuminating’
💕a younger poets collection
Surprise me 😮
😮 The poems feel more scientific than emotional at times
Quotes:
“when the dark goes down
And you are photon-lonely”
Ideal reader ⭐️:
⭐️ People looking for a poetry collection that is more scientific
⭐️ People looking for a poetry collection that centres animals
June 4, 2025
I wouldn't read this to be entertained so much as to understand the less-visible things in life. Maybe not "less-visible." More underappreciated rather than unseen.
Reading this was watching stars burst in slow motion, or atoms colliding to become molecules. There was also something curiously beautiful about the creation of the human heart, as told in the selection "Cardiac Knotting." Though "Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning" was an equally interesting addition.
There were a few sections that were slower than others, but the more standout pieces were well worth it.
3.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley, publishers, and the author for an arc of this book
Reading this was watching stars burst in slow motion, or atoms colliding to become molecules. There was also something curiously beautiful about the creation of the human heart, as told in the selection "Cardiac Knotting." Though "Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning" was an equally interesting addition.
There were a few sections that were slower than others, but the more standout pieces were well worth it.
3.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley, publishers, and the author for an arc of this book
April 22, 2025
I found Liles to be both strange and sharp. Reading these made me feel like I was back in my bio classes at Madison. There were standout lines, and standout individual poems, but not all of them sparked a strong feeling for me.
I normally prefer not to rate poetry collections unless I have particularly strong opinions either way. My feelings here were mixed.
Thank you to Yale University Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.
I normally prefer not to rate poetry collections unless I have particularly strong opinions either way. My feelings here were mixed.
Thank you to Yale University Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.
April 24, 2025
Poetry meets science in this collection that reflects on our fragile world and life itself. I found it very interesting to have poetry about chemistry and the formation of life, and I appreciated the explanations and additional notes for those of us who are not savvy in these areas. While a lot of the science went over my head, I fully respect this concept of art meeting alchemy.
Thank you to Yale University Press and NetGalley for this book for review.
Thank you to Yale University Press and NetGalley for this book for review.
April 20, 2025
Received this arc from Netgalley. Here's my honest take on it.
This book of poetry was truly disappointing for a book of poetry. Despite my anticipation, I couldn't get into it. I found myself skimming through most of the poems, hoping for a spark of interest. Instead, I found myself getting bored. Overall, I didn't enjoy the book.
This book of poetry was truly disappointing for a book of poetry. Despite my anticipation, I couldn't get into it. I found myself skimming through most of the poems, hoping for a spark of interest. Instead, I found myself getting bored. Overall, I didn't enjoy the book.
August 22, 2025
eArc copy
I really had a hard time with this one, mostly because I had a hard time with the science aspect of poetry.
It’s touching to be able to relate science to feelings. However, this just didn’t really resonate with me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this
I really had a hard time with this one, mostly because I had a hard time with the science aspect of poetry.
It’s touching to be able to relate science to feelings. However, this just didn’t really resonate with me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this
May 16, 2025
Thank you Netgalley, Yale University Press, and John Liles for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was like if poetry and a nature textbook had a baby.
Very dense and info packed, but strangely mesmerizing at the same time.
This was like if poetry and a nature textbook had a baby.
Very dense and info packed, but strangely mesmerizing at the same time.
June 9, 2025
I have always enjoyed reading Liles poetry. I enjoy the rhythm of his words even when the terms are challenging. I find myself reading them and then reading again happy for the opportunity to learn and grow!
June 26, 2025
I am so in awe of this collection. It is simaultaneously full of child-like wonder and a deeply scientific understanding of the world. It's beautiful and haunting and human. I feel like I'm floating around in space and the ocean and my own chest cavity all at once.
July 8, 2025
I didn't connect a lot with the style-- but that's not disparaging, just that poetry is incredibly subjective and unforgiving, whereas often fiction seems a little more grey. That being said, I didn't dislike the content, just didn't connect.
Thanks for the ARC
Thanks for the ARC
August 21, 2025
Heavily metaphorical. Very science forward. I read poetry, a lot. But this gave me a bit of a struggle. Challenge accepted but also for the entry level poetry reader i would not suggest this. This would be for a more symbolism focused mind. This goes beyond reading between the lines.
October 31, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this arc!
I have no idea how to rate poetry books so i'll keep it short.
I enjoyed nature aspect a lot (i adore bees) and i was vibing throughout the whole book. Of course there were poems I liked more than others but i had a great time nonetheless.
I have no idea how to rate poetry books so i'll keep it short.
I enjoyed nature aspect a lot (i adore bees) and i was vibing throughout the whole book. Of course there were poems I liked more than others but i had a great time nonetheless.
May 14, 2025
Bees, and After propone una mirada profunda sobre la conexión entre la naturaleza y lo humano, con imágenes potentes que invitan a repensarnos como parte del ecosistema, no por encima de él. Poemas como Without Which y The Steady State logran transmitir esa sensación de que el corazón humano, como un panal, no se sostiene solo sino a través del contacto y la interacción con el entorno. Es una metáfora hermosa: no sobrevivimos aislados, sino gracias a lo que absorbemos del mundo y de quienes nos rodean.
Me gustó mucho cómo el autor cruza ciencia y poesía, aunque justamente eso fue lo que a veces me generó cierta distancia. El lenguaje técnico o más "biológico" me hizo sentir como si estuviera en una clase de ciencias naturales (¡pero en el buen sentido!). Aun así, esa elección estilística también impidió que conectara emocionalmente con algunos textos.
Hubo imágenes y líneas que me impactaron, sin duda, y otras que me dejaron algo indiferente. Creo que es una colección que puede resonar de forma muy distinta según el lector. Personalmente, si bien no me llegó de lleno, valoro la originalidad de la propuesta y sin dudas me interesaría leer más de este autor en el futuro.
Una lectura que invita a detenerse y observar nuestra naturaleza compartida, aunque no siempre logre conmover.
Me gustó mucho cómo el autor cruza ciencia y poesía, aunque justamente eso fue lo que a veces me generó cierta distancia. El lenguaje técnico o más "biológico" me hizo sentir como si estuviera en una clase de ciencias naturales (¡pero en el buen sentido!). Aun así, esa elección estilística también impidió que conectara emocionalmente con algunos textos.
Hubo imágenes y líneas que me impactaron, sin duda, y otras que me dejaron algo indiferente. Creo que es una colección que puede resonar de forma muy distinta según el lector. Personalmente, si bien no me llegó de lleno, valoro la originalidad de la propuesta y sin dudas me interesaría leer más de este autor en el futuro.
Una lectura que invita a detenerse y observar nuestra naturaleza compartida, aunque no siempre logre conmover.
June 13, 2025
I really enjoyed Bees, and After. As someone with a science background and a love for all things biological, the use of scientific language throughout the collection really excited me. Many of the poems feel like a blend of poetic expression and educational insight—especially those with added factual notes, which made it feel like a two-for-one experience: learning something new while enjoying the beauty of the writing.
I also appreciated the intentional use of white space and scattered formatting. The spacing forces you to slow down and absorb each word, creating a rhythm that feels both thoughtful and fluid.
If I had one critique, it would be the occasional overuse of certain words or phrases, which started to feel a bit repetitive across the collection. Still, this didn’t take away from the originality and depth of the work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I also appreciated the intentional use of white space and scattered formatting. The spacing forces you to slow down and absorb each word, creating a rhythm that feels both thoughtful and fluid.
If I had one critique, it would be the occasional overuse of certain words or phrases, which started to feel a bit repetitive across the collection. Still, this didn’t take away from the originality and depth of the work.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews