Stardust is Rania Attafi's debut full length collection of poetry. Charged with themes of feminism, existentialism, love, loss and uncertainties, it will take you on a rollercoaster ride where you will glimpse lives of different people with each poem.
Stardust is a book about a constellation of homo-sapiens written for all Booklovers regardless of their planet of origin.
Rania Attafi is a Feminist Tunisian poet born in 1993. She's a teacher during the day, a writer at night. In her free time, she likes to read, run and talk about the two, a lot.
How can someone love poetry with having read only a few poems throughout his life? That's me. Besides two or three poetry books, I've never actually dived into it. That being said, I'm not qualified to judge or anything. Still, I've read Stardust twice (and counting), and even though I'm not a fan of contemporary poetry (wait until you see my review on Milk and Honey. Ugh.) I couldn't help but go with the flow of the verses. [P.S. : I absolutely LOVED the mythological references!]
Trust me, if you ever come across this book, hold it, flip through it, take your time with it as if handling a delicate flower; then take a look at your hands, you'll have stardust all over them. Believe me, it won't come off as quickly as you'd think :)
I am shook and running out of words. Ranya, you did a wonderful job on this one. Not only you are an amazing person but you also stand up to talk about big topics out there using your magnificient poetry. This book is very important and it discussed the most lethal subjects in the best way; marriage, abuse, love, gender equality, loss... I'm in awe of the way you write and I cannot wait for your second baby. Tunisia's proud of you and your incredible talent. You deserve every single star you can get.
Rating: 3.5/5 It had some really strong poems, ones that I connected with deeply and that definitely touched me. The mythology/astronomy elements were well exploited, like in the poem "Between Scylla and Charybdis"(which was absolutely awesome btw). BUT at one point I felt like they were "fillers," not really relevant to some poems or adding metaphorical value to them, as opposed to the previously mentioned myth. In many poems I really felt the raw soul of the poet, and that moved me and made me even see myself in those poems. My favourite out of this whole collection would definitely be the first one, "Apate On Paper". The mythology element is sneaky but very well used, the emotion behind the poem felt real and raw and as I write this I know I too am one of millions of Apates on paper. So thank you Rania for putting that feeling to words, I know this one poem will be a safe haven for me in the future. Some poems, sadly, I didn't really relate to. The one I liked the least was "A Stolen Eclipse" not because it wasn't good (it was) but because it felt super typical, all the talk about eclipses and stolen moments together and all :/ Overall it was really good, I liked most of it (the insane amount of sticky flags on it can only witness that XD) and I'm looking forward to read more from Rania's far from muggle pen.
This was unexpected!!! I can't describe how much this book is great, this is my first time reading something for A Tunisian author, and damn it !!! So proud that we got such a talent. Keep up Rania ❤️
Honestly, the title fits well the content of the book. I loved the metaphors that left me thinking all along, each poem has its own touch and imapct. For a debut, this is really REALLY good.
this book just GOT ME ! i've been dying to read it for tooo damn long nd the moment i got it i just couldn't let go of it . i kept rereading all the poems .. let them sink in ;The astronomy elements ..the pictures ..the heart felted experiences and the metaphors together they made an art piece. i was blessed to read this and even more blessed to have rania signing it for me !keep on rockin girl ,the world needs more of your poetry .
Damn Rania you are most certainly not a muggle ! That was beautifully written, so mesmerising and simply magical. I was honestly a bit apprehensive going into it for many reasons but when I read the first poem I was immediately hooked. I only give five stars to books that I know will stick with me for a long time , for the brilliant ones, for the ones that change something in me and/or just feel special to me one way or another and this book was all of the above . This tiny little collection moved me (I didn't even notice the tear slipping on that last poem before the epilogue), it evoked all sorts of emotions and most importantly impressed me especially with the unique take on feminism and standing up for women. To say that I'm proud of having this talented tunisian writer is an understatement.. Congratulations ! I can't wait to read more by this author.
The reason why I am giving this collection of poems five stars is because Rania did not just write about broken love and beauty and stars and emotions (in a unique way, I may also add), she also surprised (me, at least) with poems standing up for women, for injustice, for girl support, and (if you don't know that already) I am a sucker for the cause! Amazing job Rania, I wish there were more poems, and I am already awaiting your next book! I am proud of you, fellow tunisian writer ^^ I can never say it enough!
I finished this collection in one sitting, it was that good, that pure... I loved almost all the poems, they were beautifully written and the illustrations were magnificent... I'm really glad that I got the chance to read sth wonderful like those poems... Wish you all the success and happiness Rania Attafi, and hope you continue in your writing journey.. Stardust was amazing, but I believe, you have the ability to write sth extraordinary...
3.5 les recueils de poésie c'est pas mon truc ET ENCORE MOINS CEUX EN ANGLAIS. mais lorsque c'est une poétesse tunisienne faut faire l'effort de le lire et faut dire que je ne suis pas déçu j'ai même apprécié plusieurs poèmes qui m'ont touché et dont un qui m'a particulièrement touché "for every lost euridyce " ce petit recueil est un éventail d’émotion qui va de l'amour à la révolte ou encore a la mélancolie. c'est à déguster avec de la bonne musique et moi durant ma lecture c'est cette chanson en particulier que j'ai écouté ' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIl6Y... '
I took my time with the last few poems because I didn't want this to end. Then I went ahead and read it again. Every detail was sheer perfection, the poems, the illustrations, the mythological references.. I loved every minute of it.
first of All i would like to congratulate Rania for this amazing book. Second i would like to encourage everyone to buy and read it simply because it contains poems and pics that will touch your hearts and souls just like it toucher mine. the book is well written, the themes are well chosen and the pictures are so cool...So Nice really way to go Rania ❤❤
This beautiful poetry collection was an amazing reading experience, i myself do write poetry and can say that the author, (here my friend Rania) has done great justice to the art of poetry.
Let's give credits where due; the book is beautiful inside out Eye catching cover heart wrenching poetry heartfelt emotions and to assist the poems we have lovely illustrations
the book has been printed on fine quality paper whuch enhances the reading experience.
well i will recommend this book to everyone, it's a must read. Thank you for the book Rania.
P.S. My personal favourite piece: For every lost Eurydice. (pp 26-28)
This book needs more recognition. This is the first time I've ever read an english work from a Tunisian and I'm so glad I did. The style of Milk And Honey but this is Stardust, a poetry book with nice themes, a short book you can enjoy whenever you feel like it, a poetry book you won't regret giving it a chance. ❤
This is my most precious book . It stirred all my emotions, my feminist desires . Honestly I don’t know a lot about poetry and I don’t usually like poetry books however this one had something that spoke to me .. I was truly amazed by the warmth this poet evokes in her words, she addresses what it feels like to be broken, to be loved and to be stronger on one’s own ❤️. - I’m not going to shrink To leave space for you. I’m not going to starve To feed you. I’m not going to burn To warm you. I’m not going to settle for life of mediocrity To fulfill a teenager’s dream. that’s not the woman I am. . - I can’t agree more ❤️ A beautiful piece of art written by a beautiful soul @raniaattafi . ~ I’m definitely giving ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and I highly recommend it for everyone from all of my heart
Reading the poems twice and still cannot get enough from reading the book a thousand times. The title is expressive resuming all our feelings and emotions and by saying our, I and you are included. The layout and illustrations are expressive and breath-taking too. Feeling each space filled with silence, feeling what behind the world where they reflect us and by saying that, you and I are included. Enjoying the sound devices and imageries, are filled with space stuff and methodological characters and morals. Again the poem is us, as if Rania Attafi knows our story and feelings, read what between the lines and you'll find the traces of your soul.
my second time reading it and already looking forward to the third lol. honestly, reading it for the second time was a whole new thing. i kind of understood what the wrter was aiming for and i felt the words, i felt every single word and i felt connected with the writer. it is really the kind of book that the more you read, the more you discover.
Double thanks 🙏🏼 for the great poet and friend Rania Attafi , first for writing this amazing book and second for sending it to me all the way from Tunisia 🇹🇳 I grasped the book few minutes before sunset and I couldn’t stop even for the ifftar -as we’re in Ramadan- . I enjoyed every line of this book and at some point some poems felt like they are telling my life story 🤔 Thank you again and I wish you all the success in your promising future, I can’t wait to read your next book 😉
As I told you Rania, shorter than I wish it to be.
As poetry is definitely out of my usual genre (although stars are always welcome), I actually enjoyed this one quite a lot. From the existentialism to the mythology and femminism. I hope for another one, at the very least.
"And when you're six feet under; In a closed wooden box, Or wrapped in a white sheet -A present for me- Know that I'm on the same side -A present for you-"
Really touching. Poems about love, breakups, silence, twisted lovers and pride, all in a marvellous way that will please astronomy lovers and the dreamers like me. She a one hell of a style that take you in the guts.
Ce recueil de poèmes tout à fait splendide est devenu pour livre de chevet, je lis et relis ces petites merveilles! Une belle découverte.
Such a great book even that poems are so not my thing, but the way you made them... unexpectable, it just showed us how much you are talented.. proud that you are Tunisian <3 The drawings are so expressive and adorable.. I just loved everything about this book