Pessimism is for Lightweights: 13 Pieces of Courage and Resistance

by Salena Godden

A collection of 13 pieces of courage and resistance, these are poems written for, during and after attending protests and rallies. Poems written for the women's march, for women's empowerment and amplification, poems that salute people fighting for justice, poems on sexism and racism, class discrimination, period poverty and homelessness, asylum seekers, immigration and identity. This work reminds us that Courage is a Muscle, it also contains a letter from the spirit of Hope herself, because as the title suggests, Pessimism is for Lightweights.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

36 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 2018

Reviews

[Daren Kearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful collection of poems that reflects the current times of self-interested idiots in power, inaction on social justice and oppression. Provides hope and righteous anger.
My highlights were Soup, I saw Goody Proctor jogging without a face mask and Before you Go.
I have interacted with Salena on social media and on a discussion panel about death linked to her fantastic book Mrs Death Misses Death and she is a friendly positive person and a strong force for reason and good.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not one for poetry as a rule. However after a lovely day at a celebration of South Asian Culture today I came across this book and it’s amazing.
Full of different types of poetry each with such poignant messages about refugees, women’s rights, domestic abuse etc it’s hard hitting but in a beautiful way!
A poem entitled Sushi is my favourite it’s incredible, with such a powerful message it’s already firmly ingrained on my brain!
One line from the poem after which the book is named ‘Pessimism is for Lightweights’ reads:

‘History is watching us and what will we become’

Even if you’re a poetry novice like me, please read this book…you won’t regret it…it’s enlightening and empowering!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Some of the pieces are perhaps a bit heavy-handed, but maybe we need some heavy-handedness in our poetry on issues like the ones Godden covers. "Gentle Reminder," "Insert," "Red," "Old Blood and Young Teeth," "Tomorrow's Roses," and of course "Pessimism is for Lightweights"-- plus it's marvellous Old English translation and notes!--were favorites for me.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

concise & necessary. i wasn’t sure it was my thing at first - then partway through realised i was holding back tears as i read. a few are just startlingly powerful - ‘the day we stopped’ & ‘sushi’ - full marks.

[Gabrielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ahh, I really wanted to like this! Such a great idea for a collection and some really memorable lines. Overall, though, it felt a bit too clichéd.

2.5 stars.

[Theodora]

I didn’t resonate much with the poetry style

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly nourishing collection of poems. Insightful, spirited, and deeply moving. I keep coming back to this volume, and every time it contains new meanings.