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Rangoli
This collection travels through the dynamics of diaspora and colorism across borderlines and cultures, as well as those within.
- GenresPoetryNonfiction
238 pages, Paperback
First published July 17, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 12, 2019
"Poetry"
I have a problem with poetry like this. Poetry isn't line breaks between words; saying something in an entirely different way and breathing a new life into it is poetry. Pavana has good thoughts but her words are sentences. If this was written as a lyrical book of self help and advice, maybe I would take to this better. This weak trend of instagram poets needs to end. If you're looking for poetry from a WOC, I strongly recommend Tracy K. Smith, an actual poet whose words leave an imprint on the soul, instead of traveling in one ear and out the other.
I have a problem with poetry like this. Poetry isn't line breaks between words; saying something in an entirely different way and breathing a new life into it is poetry. Pavana has good thoughts but her words are sentences. If this was written as a lyrical book of self help and advice, maybe I would take to this better. This weak trend of instagram poets needs to end. If you're looking for poetry from a WOC, I strongly recommend Tracy K. Smith, an actual poet whose words leave an imprint on the soul, instead of traveling in one ear and out the other.
September 1, 2017
I've been following Pavana (Maza Dohta) on instagram for a while now so when I heard she was releasing a book I simply could not wait! And oh my, she did not disappoint. Each page offers up a stunning breathtaking poem. It astounds me how in a number of words she weaves such magic. As a "brown girl" this book was cathartic to read for the "not brown girl" it will be an education. It's a treasure trove of a book, one which I find myself returning to periodically to pluck out a gem to marvel at. Poetry that satisfies the soul and gives the mind much to think about. Thank you Pavana for this gift.
January 20, 2018
If I could get a cent for every time the word “blossom” is used..
Thesauruses are made for a reason.
Thesauruses are made for a reason.
February 23, 2022
Ugh I love this book I love poetry :')
Some of the poems were confusing at first lol but I think that’s also the beauty of poetry as an art form & the complexity that comes with it; it’s up to you how you interpret a lot of it.
Overall, I love her message & the themes of loss, growth, healing, and identity that are prevalent throughout. She empowers brown women & children of immigrants through her own experiences & I like being able to resonate with a lot of her poetry, being a brown woman myself.
Pretty quick read considering a lot of the poems within it are short; it just took me a bit longer bc I took a big gap in the middle of reading it.
I made some of my favorite poems from the book public <3
4/5 ⭐️
2nd book finished in 2022!
- 02/23/2022
Some of the poems were confusing at first lol but I think that’s also the beauty of poetry as an art form & the complexity that comes with it; it’s up to you how you interpret a lot of it.
Overall, I love her message & the themes of loss, growth, healing, and identity that are prevalent throughout. She empowers brown women & children of immigrants through her own experiences & I like being able to resonate with a lot of her poetry, being a brown woman myself.
Pretty quick read considering a lot of the poems within it are short; it just took me a bit longer bc I took a big gap in the middle of reading it.
I made some of my favorite poems from the book public <3
4/5 ⭐️
2nd book finished in 2022!
- 02/23/2022
December 13, 2017
It wasn't as life changing as I had hoped it would be and could have certainly done with an editor. However, some of the poems still had as much impact the second time around as they did the first time.
August 28, 2018
My friend Todd had this in the front seat of his car when I got in to go to brunch, so I read it during the drive. A lot of the poems are only 4 lines or so long, so it's a very quick read, and though I liked a lot of those tiny poems, I really only started connecting with the longer ones. There are a couple towards the end that are so good, about love and loss and how to move forward, I guess. I think they could speak to people in all sorts of different situations. I'll definitely keep my eye out for her next work.
January 8, 2023
recommend!
Very therapeutical and a quick read. I was on my way for a walk then decided for once to just sit in the park and found her quote on instagramd and downloaded her book. No regrets - read it !
Very therapeutical and a quick read. I was on my way for a walk then decided for once to just sit in the park and found her quote on instagramd and downloaded her book. No regrets - read it !
January 6, 2022
My own poem summarizing this collection:
Brown girl pep talk
Fire, earth, lotus, roots
Blossom, blossom, blossom
Brown girl pep talk
Fire, earth, lotus, roots
Blossom, blossom, blossom
February 22, 2019
Beautiful. I have marked several pages for future reading. There are definitely poems that felt like they were written in batches (same words and imagery); however, I appreciated the renditions of the author's visions.
February 27, 2020
What a waste of paper. Every other page is basically blank and most pages only have a couple of short lines (the poems). Do they think books are made out of quickly replenishible material ???
Though some relateable poems, it felt like reading the poems I wrote back in high school.
I am sorry to the tree that had to be cut down for me to read this.
Though some relateable poems, it felt like reading the poems I wrote back in high school.
I am sorry to the tree that had to be cut down for me to read this.
May 28, 2019
I like her work usually but this book was alright.
May 8, 2020
These words healed me in so many ways. Highly recommend to all my black and brown sisters.
January 9, 2020
First time reading modern poetry in my own time that wasn't prescribed by an English Literature Syllabus.
Simple poetry lines in free form. Despite it's simplicity, these words remain thought provoking and relatable to anyone who reads it. I suspect this book would hold more weight if read in physical form rather than via Kindle as the book has frequent images/patterns, which may add further to the enjoyment of reading.
Nevertheless, as someone who read this anthology in one sitting, Reddy continuously calls upon the same themes of family, rebirth, forgiveness and redemption. She even delves into power between male and female and her identity as a poet and her poetry.
I perhaps would not recommend reading in one sitting like I did as these themes become a tad glaring and her repetitive use of Lily imagery is driven home. But pondering on these themes and repetitive nature adds to the drip drip effect of that there is redemption from the past.
I really enjoyed reading this and would like to dip back in again to remember the strong emotions she lays down.
Simple poetry lines in free form. Despite it's simplicity, these words remain thought provoking and relatable to anyone who reads it. I suspect this book would hold more weight if read in physical form rather than via Kindle as the book has frequent images/patterns, which may add further to the enjoyment of reading.
Nevertheless, as someone who read this anthology in one sitting, Reddy continuously calls upon the same themes of family, rebirth, forgiveness and redemption. She even delves into power between male and female and her identity as a poet and her poetry.
I perhaps would not recommend reading in one sitting like I did as these themes become a tad glaring and her repetitive use of Lily imagery is driven home. But pondering on these themes and repetitive nature adds to the drip drip effect of that there is redemption from the past.
I really enjoyed reading this and would like to dip back in again to remember the strong emotions she lays down.
May 10, 2020
So incredible
I will read any poetry that’s recommended to me simply because poetry synopsis rarely give you any insight to the book your considering and true poetic talent is rare. So I simply give everything a shot. I bought this book because I was watching a makeup favorites YouTube video and the YouTuber talked more about this book and poet than she did anything else. I’m so glad she did because this is one of the BEST poetry books I’ve read in a few years. So well done. Such a driving force and energy. Topics of home and belong so well handled. I’m sending a copy of this book to a friend that I know will enjoy it as well.
I will read any poetry that’s recommended to me simply because poetry synopsis rarely give you any insight to the book your considering and true poetic talent is rare. So I simply give everything a shot. I bought this book because I was watching a makeup favorites YouTube video and the YouTuber talked more about this book and poet than she did anything else. I’m so glad she did because this is one of the BEST poetry books I’ve read in a few years. So well done. Such a driving force and energy. Topics of home and belong so well handled. I’m sending a copy of this book to a friend that I know will enjoy it as well.
May 2, 2021
Looks like simple poetry, but simple can pack a punch. People mistake what a poem was and is and can become. Poetry doesn't have to stay in the way that it has always been done, it can evolve. I enjoyed this book, fast read but you can always go back and find different meanings as you age. A lot of these poems I had already known because I follow Pavana Reddy on instagram and I wanted to support and finally but in print.
December 14, 2017
I've been a fan of Reddy's work for a while now and I finally got her book as a birthday present to myself! Let me just say that I had an incredible time reading her poetry. She has a very distinct voice, than let's say, Rupi Kaur, and I loved that.
However, I did prefer some poems over the others, and I kind of wish that this accumulated all of her work to-date.
However, I did prefer some poems over the others, and I kind of wish that this accumulated all of her work to-date.
December 13, 2018
Wonderful read
It’s been a little while since I’ve read a poetry book I absolutely loved, but this one captured me from the first word until the last. I love the authors style of writing. She captured so many complicated emotions and expressed them in the most concise and beautiful ways. Thoroughly enjoyed this book, can’t wait for more in the future!
It’s been a little while since I’ve read a poetry book I absolutely loved, but this one captured me from the first word until the last. I love the authors style of writing. She captured so many complicated emotions and expressed them in the most concise and beautiful ways. Thoroughly enjoyed this book, can’t wait for more in the future!
December 1, 2017
I took my sweet time reading this. Sometimes I read something, left it a few days to simmer, then I read it again. She really puts into words, things I never knew how to say, things I didn’t even know I wanted to say.
July 17, 2019
Round up to 4 1/2 stars. Excellent compact use of language in this collection of interconnected poems. Some are micro-poems, only three or four lines. But each has its place in the whole. A lot in here about the struggle women face in having voices heard.
July 19, 2019
‘What language robbed a woman’s no from her lips and left a man’s yes in its place’
‘You are a strange flower in bloom, don’t let them pick and name you before you have a chance to blossom’.
A lovely read.
‘You are a strange flower in bloom, don’t let them pick and name you before you have a chance to blossom’.
A lovely read.
August 26, 2020
I enjoy these newer styles of poetry, especially on topics such as race, culture, immigration, sexuality, trauma, and healing. I love supporting my fellow brown womxn and BIPOC when they write about their experiences wholeheartedly. I truly loved this book.
December 31, 2021
Beautiful
- I like the different emotions in the different theme poems
- I am not a foreign in the country I live but I am different and I view myself in some of your representations
- please make available I Kindle your last book
- I like the different emotions in the different theme poems
- I am not a foreign in the country I live but I am different and I view myself in some of your representations
- please make available I Kindle your last book
September 8, 2017
She has such a wise voice and such a beautiful way to express her truth as an Indian woman.
January 3, 2018
Beautiful, simply put.
January 3, 2018
Little pockets of soul. My mother foesnt read too many books in English, she coulnt put this ome down.
October 1, 2018
A beautiful piece of work that resonated with me in so many ways. Looking forward to more from Pavana.
January 5, 2019
Couldn't relate to all of it, but it was beautiful.
October 3, 2019
Love this book! Perfect for heartbreak/post-break up vibes. There’s not a table of contents, so I tabbed the pages with poems I found especially moving...now my copy of the book is filled with tabs.
November 22, 2019
3.75 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews