(he)Art.

by Zane Frederick

Coated in petty heartache, (he)art. is a reflection on the what ifs, the almosts, and every blown dandelion wish. This work confesses the words never said; the naiveté of a first love, the echoing absence of what could have been, and the awareness of self-significance. Written from a LGBTQ perspective, this collection is pertinent for any member to confide in. It also explores the self-discovery in sexuality and the bravery of coming out, even in fear. Divided into three separate parts, each chapter displaying how the heart acts during different emotional moments in life. This book is best read in a bookstore, cafe, or in the comfort of your home.

Genres: Poetry, LGBT, Mental Health

150 pages, Paperback

Published January 28, 2018

Reviews

[Ebba Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

overplayed
your name used to be
my favorite melody
every time i sung
now it leaves
a bitter taste on me
when it dances off my tongue


take it or leave it
you don't get to decide
when to love me
or when to stop
you must love me
for all that i am
and all i am not

[Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?] · Rating 4 out of 5]

our love was rare
at least i like to think so
when we reached for the stars
without even jumping
when we danced in a language
only we spoke
touched each other
like colliding flames
and fought
in the same exact way
you made
a forest fire out of me

[Kelcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never thought I'd get into poetry but I've been really enjoying some collections (like this one).

[mar✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

you are the first thing that has made the word “love” feel exactly what it sounds like

[Elizabeth (Taylor's Version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!

this was actually cute❤️

[Briana Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. Poetry is my favorite and this one is a compilation of beautifully written poetry. The author is new, so I gave him a shot by reading this book. I definitely recommend this one for anyone who is looking for new poetry books to read.

[Bel ★ tortured poet. · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★☆☆☆
3 stars <3

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea

I can see why people like this, but it just isn’t my preferred style (a sentence divided into a series of lines, simple diction, etc.). However, the poet is very honest with his emotions and his vagueness allows the reader to project their own experiences into his words. Definitely recommended for people who like Rupi Kuar and that style.

[Cheney Meell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Zane Frederick captures the adolescent (he)art (sorry I had to) through each of the three sections in this novel is enough to move one to tears. He splits it into each stage of his experience with this person, falling for him, breaking when his love is unrequited, and beginning the healing process after realizing his self-worth. This novel shines a light on the pain of falling for someone who, no matter what, does not feel the same, and yet despite feeling broken by this person, wishing only the best for them in the end. Zane Frederick teaches his readers that it is ok to feel broken, but never by the same hand twice. And that moving on does not have to mean carrying a sour feeling toward the person you once loved. It can mean loving them still, and wishing them nothing but true happiness, something they once showed you.
I have no words to describe this book other than absolutely dazzling. The storytelling through lyric moved me immensely and taught me a lesson myself while going through my own heartbreak. I will recommend this novel to anyone and everyone who has ever experienced lovesick pain, as it encapsulates the adolescent condition so candidly, as if you are walking through a park with the author as he experienced every single aspect of this book. Flawless. I cannot wait to read his second book as soon as he releases it.

[Mar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in 2020 and now again in 2024. I think I liked it just as much.


"you gave me everything
and nothing
and i know that's a fact
but you made me
a better writer
and i thank you for that"

[Daniel Marsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

some really beautiful poems, some a little cringey to be perfectly honest

[Samantha Alvarado · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry discusses the point of view of someone who identifies in the LGBTQ community and their love for someone that could never be returned. The narrator goes through the struggle of watching who they are in love with go through a different path of love while still managing to support them through it all. This book makes the requirement for those who love to read stories of self-discovery, reflection, empowerment, and more.
For anyone who is an extreme lover of poetry and likes to be clever, this book is certainly for you. I found myself to relate a lot, as the book tells the story of an unrequited love and connects very well to the LGBTQ point of view. It also involves a lot of reflection within, and you could really feel the emotion that is projected from the book. The reflection goes as far to question what could have happened, what should have happened and what it is now. I like the progression of what occurred as well, considering that it was similar to how I experienced that for myself. It definitely brought back memories of how I was and how I am now because of the steps I took to move on. I would read this book again and use it if I were ever to teach the diversity in poetry.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In (he)art., Zane Frederick eloquently dives into his fall out of his first love. His short poems have layers of meaning, and anybody who has been in love will find his words touching their own hearts. The book dives into what it’s like to fall in love, heartbreak, and the healing process. In addition, it offers up an LGBT+ perspective on love, which reminds the reader that falling in and out of love is the same for all of us, no matter who we love. Although it does talk about some of the struggles that LGBT+ people still face, such as coming out and learning to love yourself for who you are.

This book is a fantastic read for any teen or adult. The poems are sure to grab your attention the whole time and will have you melting in your chair as you remember your first time being in love. While this book is a great read for anybody, it’s incredibly relatable for LGBT+ readers as it truly speaks to the heart. His poems are short, cut to the chase, and there is no need for them to be any longer as they capture the emotions perfectly. As you read along, you understand the story of his first love, and it makes the book impossible to put down.

[Brooke Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zane has surprised me at every turn - with every poem - in (he)art. It’s a powerfully raw and emotional book that had me saying “Ooh” and “Aw” so many times!

“Ooh” as in “Ooh, no he didn’t!” And “Ooh, this is so beautifully written!”.

And “Aw” as in “Aw, that’s so cute!” and “Aw, I want to cry!”

***

I tried marking my favorite poems but, a few pages in, I began to realize I made a mistake. By the time I got to the end of marking my absolute favorites, I had pretty much marked every page! No lie, I have proof!

The way he writes his poems is what I would call magical because he utilizes each word and each line to create the emphases and impact in his poems...without the use of traditional punctuation!

How can it not be magic?

***

I admit to being overly excited BEFORE I started reading this book. Now, I’m not sure where I am...

Maybe somewhere floating in Cloud 9?

[sahra (readwithsahra_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really like this queer poetry book

it was raw and realistic and relatable

the prose could feel a bit millennial in some parts but overall it still has a great and sensitive writing

I haven’t felt any of the author’s experience of love and pain but I still felt their strong feelings in my heart and bones

it’s a story of love turned unrequited where they had to contemplate their love go away to someone else while they stay stuck in a space that was now filled with absence and heartbreak. truly powerfully human

queer love stories and stories of heartbreak have so much impact it’s insane and wonderful bc the words impact you more I feel like and I love that

this was great!

rating: 4/5

[im_just_vidu · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐

Normally, I wouldn't like Instagram poems like this. But there were some poems I liked, and the others weren't bad either. The vibe of them aligns with me and maybe that's why I didn't hate them.

"I spread my ribs
Cracking every bone
Trying to make more space for you
To build you a home
Because you're a warm fireplace
Lighting up the room
And I realized home sure felt
A hell of a lot like you"

I like the use of words, the metaphors and the flow in this poem.

"Graveyard of lovers
You bury your face
In your tombstone hands
Because you managed to kill
All those who tried to stay
The ones who tried to love you with
The love that passed away"

Also, this poem.

Likewise, there were poems I liked and loved. I liked their vibe, and it made me feel things I once forgot.

[Mossyteeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

im all for writing out thoughts or vents and it being good poetry(i do it myself sometimes). but i don't know if it's cuz i had the ebook but it was very spaced out and like a couple of words per line and it just threw me off. i also couldn't link the lines together or remember what the previous line said so it was very disorientating all becuase of the spacing. otherwise it would've been a better experience. some of the poems were very generic though and just felt so empty and emotionless. i think there is room for improvement however and hopefully the author/poet improves

[angel ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this poetry is simply beautiful. each poem paints a beautiful (sometimes heartwarming and other times heartbreaking) picture in your mind. i feel like i lived each and every tale. it’s also extremely relatable in the best way. in a way that you don’t expect, in a way that you didn’t know this is how you felt. i bookmarked so many of these pages because i loved so many of these poems. this is a definite read!!

[Kennedy Kitchen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate to give this book such a terrible rating because you can really feel the emotion behind each page and poem. I just felt that the poetry was not the quality that I'd expect from a published book. However, this book is written by a young gay man and his experiences in finding love, which is not relatable to me and could explain some of my "disconnect" from his poetry.

[emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

better to have loved and lost than never loved at all i guess 🥲 (this was actually a pretty decent collection for a new author, perfect balance of lovey dovey and RAW, rupi kaur style poetry just ain’t really my thing, think it’s bc i read Ariel too many times as a teenager) (but this was a gift so it’ll always be meaningful to me ❤️)

[Kirsten Six · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely beautiful collection of poetry. Full of heartache, longing, and growth, this collection will leave you hungry for more. Prepare to be stunned by the passion between these pages. It is an essential read for all poetry lovers.

[Kaity M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a cute compilation of love poems. They are about his relationship with someone in the closet or is bi sexual when he himself is gay. I would recommend it to anyone who likes poetry especially younger readers because it relates to the feeling of loosing your first love.

[Amy Rosen · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a new author this was a good read. It is quick to get through and a rollercoaster of emotions. A story of young love and heartbreak told through few words. If you sing some of the pages they flow smoother. Overall a short poetry book that would be good to pass around a friend group.

[Roberta Borcea · Rating 5 out of 5]

De această carte mă leagă o scrisoare de care nu mă pot despărți și câteva piese de la Vama. Am simțit, odată cu autorul, tot ce a simțit el. Versurile mi-au plăcut atât de mult încât m-au conectat și de alte cărți de tip Instagram poetry, dar tot "(he)art" rămâne cea mai bună.

[Jordan Hargrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this. I dogeared my favorite poems and I’m pretty sure it’s over half of the book. Zane really knows how to paint a picture of a memory with his words. It felt like I had lived some of the stories even if I couldn’t relate to them because the writing is just that good. (in my poetry era)

[esha]

A beautifully written and heart warming read.

[Rebecca DaSilva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this!

[Mary Burley · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading I'm Tired of Being a Dandelion and finding it easy to read, I read this one. Author writes poems about his having a gay relationship.

[renata rm · Rating 5 out of 5]

your love comes and goes like a robbery taking the things you want and leaving all the broken pieces with me

[Mirna Contreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading you was like finding a safe place in the midst of so much chaos.