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Your Heart Is The Sea
Let poetry help you examine the depths of your wounds.
Let it remind you that no matter how deep it goes, you will be able to heal it because you have been able to heal every single wound inflicted on your heart and soul before.
Let these words show you that you will be able to find the light at the end of the wound because you have always found your way before.
Let it remind you that no matter how deep it goes, you will be able to heal it because you have been able to heal every single wound inflicted on your heart and soul before.
Let these words show you that you will be able to find the light at the end of the wound because you have always found your way before.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 22, 2018
118 people are currently reading
4988 people want to read
About the author
Nikita Gill
28 books5,804 followersNikita Gill is a Kashmiri Sikh writer born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and brought up in Gurugram, Haryana in India. In her mid twenties, she immigrated to the South of England and worked as a carer for many years. She enjoys creating paintings, poems, stories, photos, illustrations and other soft, positive things. Her work has appeared in Literary Orphans, Agave Magazine, Gravel Literary Journal, Monkeybicycle, Foliate Oak, MusePiePress, Dying Dahlia Review, The Rising Phoenix Review, Eunoia Review, Corvus Review, After The Pause and elsewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
November 24, 2019
People aren't born sad.
We make them that way.
This poetry collection was stunning. This is easily one of my favorite books of poetry I've read this year, or in many years, and it's made me so eager to read more of Nikita Gill's works. The cadence is stunning; in a world of contemporary poets who create their own formats (which there's nothing wrong with, don't get me wrong), Nikita manages to stick to something a little more familiar and classic while still offering her own spin. It's executed brilliantly. There are a lot of difficult topics within these pages but they're delicately balanced with reassurances and optimism that I so desperately needed, and I know many of you do, too, even if you don't know how badly you do.
Keep your tales about
a hideous villain named Hades,
when my King has the eyes of a storm,
a wicked smile fashioned
from both hurricane and a nebula bursting
and I gave my heart to him willingly.
Near the end, there's an entire section on mythology and deities that is absolutely gorgeous. I loved this even more than her entire collection on the gods and goddesses, actually, because this gave such tidy little glimpses into so many different stories and lives — but the one I quoted above was easily my favorite. Not to get too in-depth into my own spirituality, but anything celebrating Hades and Persephone tends to nestle itself pretty snugly into my heart, so by the time I reached this poem, I couldn't 5-star this collection fast enough. ♥
Even a lion will think all it is worth
is a circus cage and a whip for a home
if that is all it has ever known.
So, here we have a collection that focuses on trauma and healing, self-care and hope, deities and worship, nature and politics, and everything in between; every facet of the human existence, I think, is touched on here, not the least of which is on learning to keep growing and coping after the painful times come.
Content warnings for discussions of abuse, rape, gaslighting, self-esteem struggles, mental illness
April 5, 2021
April 04, 2021: She did it again. I imagine her poems to be a full moon and my heart to be the sea, and what follows is a tide of emotions. rtc.
July 04, 2019: After reading Fierce Fairytales , I knew I have to read all of Nikita Gill's books and I'm very much excited to pick up this!
↣ physical copy received via the publicist ↢
July 04, 2019: After reading Fierce Fairytales , I knew I have to read all of Nikita Gill's books and I'm very much excited to pick up this!
September 12, 2019
Wow. Full review here!
Thank you to Thought Catalogue Books for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, of it being sent to me all opinions are my own.
Thank you to Thought Catalogue Books for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, of it being sent to me all opinions are my own.
August 29, 2019
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Briah Krueger
There are still roses that will bloom in your lungs if you can learn to breathe through the thorns. – “All of Life is a Garden” by Nikita Gill
This is just one incredibly heart striking poem from Nikita Gill’s collection of poetry Your Heart is the Sea. This book will take you to the deepest spot in your soul and mind, and though you may see darkness, these poems will embrace you with safety and understanding. This book of poetry is broken up into 8 different sections:
– The Anguish
– The Descent
– The Acceptance
– The Defiance
– The Survival
– The Worship
– The Wonder
– The Beginning
Each one is filled with a harmony of reality-slapping-realness, and finding love and peace within yourself. And, to my surprise, there is a chapter with quite a bit of mythology references. And although we of course know we aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover, you simply can’t help but be completely pulled into this mysteriously enchanting cover; just waiting for you to crack it open and sea (pun intended) its depths of words and soundness.
While reading this novel, you’ll be sure to run into phrases and poems that will captivate your heart and you’ll catch your eyes widening at the intense realities written in such soft yet darkly hushed tones. Your Heart is the Sea is extremely relatable, inventive, profound, refreshing, and wholeheartedly personal. The author gives us such a generous glimpse at their healing soul with the hope to bring peace to ours, and I think that is just beautiful.
For poetry fans, you will almost immediately fall for Gill’s fantastically even mix of melancholy and inner peace. The words will wrap around your mind in both relevance and new-found realisation.
For non-poetry fans, or readers who haven’t quite dipped their toes in the sea of poetry, if you give this poetry book a try I guarantee you will find connections within it, and swear the author wrote that poem solely for you to read. Reading words that feel like they were written for you is one of the most remarkably filling feelings as a reader, and an extremely brilliant quality in a writer We tip our hats to you Nikita Gill!
This is a book that you don’t have to read in one sitting (though you may be pulled to do so) and it is certainly a book you can keep on your shelf and always come back to, to read more and more. Its words will make you feel strong, and it will remind you of your worth and that you are important and valid to this world.
A quick note, this book does contain some swearing, so I would recommend it to perhaps 13 years old and up.
There are still roses that will bloom in your lungs if you can learn to breathe through the thorns. – “All of Life is a Garden” by Nikita Gill
This is just one incredibly heart striking poem from Nikita Gill’s collection of poetry Your Heart is the Sea. This book will take you to the deepest spot in your soul and mind, and though you may see darkness, these poems will embrace you with safety and understanding. This book of poetry is broken up into 8 different sections:
– The Anguish
– The Descent
– The Acceptance
– The Defiance
– The Survival
– The Worship
– The Wonder
– The Beginning
Each one is filled with a harmony of reality-slapping-realness, and finding love and peace within yourself. And, to my surprise, there is a chapter with quite a bit of mythology references. And although we of course know we aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover, you simply can’t help but be completely pulled into this mysteriously enchanting cover; just waiting for you to crack it open and sea (pun intended) its depths of words and soundness.
While reading this novel, you’ll be sure to run into phrases and poems that will captivate your heart and you’ll catch your eyes widening at the intense realities written in such soft yet darkly hushed tones. Your Heart is the Sea is extremely relatable, inventive, profound, refreshing, and wholeheartedly personal. The author gives us such a generous glimpse at their healing soul with the hope to bring peace to ours, and I think that is just beautiful.
For poetry fans, you will almost immediately fall for Gill’s fantastically even mix of melancholy and inner peace. The words will wrap around your mind in both relevance and new-found realisation.
For non-poetry fans, or readers who haven’t quite dipped their toes in the sea of poetry, if you give this poetry book a try I guarantee you will find connections within it, and swear the author wrote that poem solely for you to read. Reading words that feel like they were written for you is one of the most remarkably filling feelings as a reader, and an extremely brilliant quality in a writer We tip our hats to you Nikita Gill!
This is a book that you don’t have to read in one sitting (though you may be pulled to do so) and it is certainly a book you can keep on your shelf and always come back to, to read more and more. Its words will make you feel strong, and it will remind you of your worth and that you are important and valid to this world.
A quick note, this book does contain some swearing, so I would recommend it to perhaps 13 years old and up.
March 11, 2022
“How else will your soul make space for the enormous task of healing if you never ever allow yourself to crumble, to let that tough facade crack? You are holding those broken pieces so tightly to your chest, you can't see how they are piercing your heart.”
Im Gegensatz zu “Your Soul is the River” war dieser Gedichtband der Autorin sehr düster, schwer und traurig. Von so etwas muss man sich also wirklich angesprochen fühlen, um es zu mögen. Mir hat diese melancholische Stimmung definitiv gefallen. Und selbst wenn ich es manchmal nicht ganz so gefühlt habe, sind dort viele wunderschön geschriebene Zeilen zu finden, welche einem direkt ins Herz gehen.
Im Gegensatz zu “Your Soul is the River” war dieser Gedichtband der Autorin sehr düster, schwer und traurig. Von so etwas muss man sich also wirklich angesprochen fühlen, um es zu mögen. Mir hat diese melancholische Stimmung definitiv gefallen. Und selbst wenn ich es manchmal nicht ganz so gefühlt habe, sind dort viele wunderschön geschriebene Zeilen zu finden, welche einem direkt ins Herz gehen.
July 28, 2019
Her first book “Your Soul is A River” was one of my fav poetry book. However this one, I have to say that while I enjoy and feel connected to a lot of the poems, the rest was feel a bit more repetitive and not really connected with me.
But, I have to say that this collection is wild, loud and empowering. It talks very openly about abused and mental illness. All respect and I admire her bravery. I know and I am sure that a lot of people will feel empowered by reading this :)
Will continue to read Nikita Gill’s works.
*this book was gifted to me by the publisher. Thank you so much!
But, I have to say that this collection is wild, loud and empowering. It talks very openly about abused and mental illness. All respect and I admire her bravery. I know and I am sure that a lot of people will feel empowered by reading this :)
Will continue to read Nikita Gill’s works.
*this book was gifted to me by the publisher. Thank you so much!
September 13, 2019
I write lengthy reviews; this poetry collection doesn't need one. I expected it to be too deliberate, intended to target specific and painful memories that readers are searching for some small relief from and force upon them a strong message about moving forward and finding inner strength to keep going. It certainly provided the relief but it wasn't deliberate, it was honest, open to interpretation and perfectly on point.
I couldn't write a decent review, a poignant sentence or an eye-catching opening line which would convey how well-suited this book was to me because I don't really understand exactly why Nikita Gill hits me so hard; I don't know what it is about her poetry which manages to put to paper exactly how I feel, but she does. So instead I'll write that it was exactly what I needed, that I was searching for some evidence that someone out there gets it, and that if you're a reader searching for that same relief then I hope you'll read it too.
I couldn't write a decent review, a poignant sentence or an eye-catching opening line which would convey how well-suited this book was to me because I don't really understand exactly why Nikita Gill hits me so hard; I don't know what it is about her poetry which manages to put to paper exactly how I feel, but she does. So instead I'll write that it was exactly what I needed, that I was searching for some evidence that someone out there gets it, and that if you're a reader searching for that same relief then I hope you'll read it too.
August 15, 2025
A Collection of poetry which was a mix of shocking confrontation, reassurance in my ability to love myself and others, to fight against the ones that dare put me down, and a rollercoaster of a journey through the maze of my own self.
while there were a few poems that I couldn't relate to due to the perspective and struggles of women which I can't ever truely experience I can still appreciate them for what they are and encourage anyone needing some searching for their inner self to read this collection of poetry.
while there were a few poems that I couldn't relate to due to the perspective and struggles of women which I can't ever truely experience I can still appreciate them for what they are and encourage anyone needing some searching for their inner self to read this collection of poetry.
January 2, 2023
Note: please be mindful when reading this, there are lots of triggers.
-
While this certainly wasn’t a bad collection it didn’t evoke the same emotions/level of emotions Nikita Gill’s writing usually does for me and for that it wasn’t my favourite collection of hers. I did really enjoy how the book was sectioned; my favourite sections being The Acceptance & The beginning. My least favourite section was The Worship. I probably wouldn’t read this again.
-
Favourite poems:
All of life is a garden, note to self 456, about self love, water, a forest story, raise your daughters, the quest for authenticity, how to be an abuse survivor in a world that hates survivors, electricity, classification, rise and shine, a reminder as we reach the end & from writer to reader.
-
While this certainly wasn’t a bad collection it didn’t evoke the same emotions/level of emotions Nikita Gill’s writing usually does for me and for that it wasn’t my favourite collection of hers. I did really enjoy how the book was sectioned; my favourite sections being The Acceptance & The beginning. My least favourite section was The Worship. I probably wouldn’t read this again.
-
Favourite poems:
All of life is a garden, note to self 456, about self love, water, a forest story, raise your daughters, the quest for authenticity, how to be an abuse survivor in a world that hates survivors, electricity, classification, rise and shine, a reminder as we reach the end & from writer to reader.
January 19, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
Gill really is becoming one of my favourite modern poets.
For me, not every poem was a home run, but the ones that hit - they hit deep. I feel like my soul has been dipped into a salty ocean and rung dry, stars and matter trickling out as it’s twisted in the hands of those that didn’t love me enough. Powerful and poignant, Gill captures the joy and pain of life and the collective experiences we share, especially as women in a society that doesn’t always treat us right.
CW: mentions of rape, self-harm, mental health
Gill really is becoming one of my favourite modern poets.
For me, not every poem was a home run, but the ones that hit - they hit deep. I feel like my soul has been dipped into a salty ocean and rung dry, stars and matter trickling out as it’s twisted in the hands of those that didn’t love me enough. Powerful and poignant, Gill captures the joy and pain of life and the collective experiences we share, especially as women in a society that doesn’t always treat us right.
CW: mentions of rape, self-harm, mental health
December 15, 2023
You are in the business of being your own worst nightmare.
If the world was ending
you would be the first to sacrifice yourself
but not because you are trying
to do "the right thing,"
but because you want it all to end, You find parts of yourself so repellent you lay on the self-hatred like it is perfume to cover up the stink of absolute despair wholeheartedly agree with your critics, become the worst of your own bullies, intimidate those who hate you with how much you hate yourself. You are the sort of human being who has become an urgent cry for help, for a person to step in
and humanize you in your own eyes by being kind to you
so you can learn to love yourself.
You are in the business of being your own worst nightmare.
If the world was ending
you would be the first to sacrifice yourself
but not because you are trying
to do "the right thing,"
but because you want it all to end, You find parts of yourself so repellent you lay on the self-hatred like it is perfume to cover up the stink of absolute despair wholeheartedly agree with your critics, become the worst of your own bullies, intimidate those who hate you with how much you hate yourself. You are the sort of human being who has become an urgent cry for help, for a person to step in
and humanize you in your own eyes by being kind to you
so you can learn to love yourself.
June 22, 2023
nikita gill always manages to make my heart feel at home ♡
June 14, 2019
You can't go wrong with Nikita Gill. Her poetry will break you down and build you back up. I really loved how this one was set up and moved through the healing process (anguish, acceptance, survival, etc.). I was unable to find this book in stores, but it was definitely worth it to purchase it online and have it shipped. Can't wait for her next book. <3
March 17, 2021
Per leggere la recensione in blog cliccare qui:
https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
July 8, 2019
Originally published on my book blog, TheBibliophage.com.
Nikita Gill is a twenty-something poet, of British-Indian heritage. She’s an Instagram poet, which is a social media phenomenon of the our new century. And, as such, I’m not really her audience.
But, since I read another of her books earlier this year, her publisher asked if I’d like to read and review this newer book. So, I gave it a go. And it just wasn’t great. Or perhaps I’m about thirty years too old for her sentiments. I’m more of a Mary Oliver reader, I confess.
Gill offers her readers a journey in eight sections, including The Anguish, The Acceptance, The Survival, and The Beginning. She walks them through the pain of abuse, rape, rage, sorrow, strength, and freedom. Her pain is obvious. And she’s actively trying to feel better and get past this abusive person. That’s certainly admirable. I’m just not a fan of her writing style.
My conclusions
My favorite section in Gill’s book is titled The Worship. In it she retells several Greek myths in short poems and one longer prose poem. Having read Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles earlier this year, this brief retelling was my favorite poem of the group. The others in this section were fairly imaginative as well. But the other sections just left me flat.
Your Heart is the Sea is a journey of words, but nothing sings here. Difficult as it is to live with such pain, her life is simply ordinary. And that’s just the way I’d describe her use of language—only average.
She doesn’t make the language of her feelings into a song. The poems are more like receiving a text message, phone call, email from a friend. They aren’t crafted and inspired, and carefully wrought for months to perfect the imagery. Overall, I suppose this is because Gill writes Insta-poetry, which is a now a stylistic category of its own. And it sells, but I’m not likely to buy it. Or read any more. I’ll stick to my old-school favorites, thanks.
Acknowledgements
My thanks to Thought Catalog Books and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Nikita Gill is a twenty-something poet, of British-Indian heritage. She’s an Instagram poet, which is a social media phenomenon of the our new century. And, as such, I’m not really her audience.
But, since I read another of her books earlier this year, her publisher asked if I’d like to read and review this newer book. So, I gave it a go. And it just wasn’t great. Or perhaps I’m about thirty years too old for her sentiments. I’m more of a Mary Oliver reader, I confess.
Gill offers her readers a journey in eight sections, including The Anguish, The Acceptance, The Survival, and The Beginning. She walks them through the pain of abuse, rape, rage, sorrow, strength, and freedom. Her pain is obvious. And she’s actively trying to feel better and get past this abusive person. That’s certainly admirable. I’m just not a fan of her writing style.
My conclusions
My favorite section in Gill’s book is titled The Worship. In it she retells several Greek myths in short poems and one longer prose poem. Having read Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles earlier this year, this brief retelling was my favorite poem of the group. The others in this section were fairly imaginative as well. But the other sections just left me flat.
Your Heart is the Sea is a journey of words, but nothing sings here. Difficult as it is to live with such pain, her life is simply ordinary. And that’s just the way I’d describe her use of language—only average.
She doesn’t make the language of her feelings into a song. The poems are more like receiving a text message, phone call, email from a friend. They aren’t crafted and inspired, and carefully wrought for months to perfect the imagery. Overall, I suppose this is because Gill writes Insta-poetry, which is a now a stylistic category of its own. And it sells, but I’m not likely to buy it. Or read any more. I’ll stick to my old-school favorites, thanks.
Acknowledgements
My thanks to Thought Catalog Books and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 11, 2019
While I don't read a lot of poetry, I do find that I like a lot of the more modern poetry books. This is the first one I've read by Nikita Gill and would definitely pick up another one.
It's always hard to review poetry. Readers will interpret things differently. Some readers will be moved by a poem that another person hated. Some readers will relate to the poetry and others just won't get it.
What I found while reading this was a woman who was hurt. A woman who struggled after that with relationships. And then a woman getting stronger and trying to put herself back together. A woman learning to love herself and her flaws. The book is broken up starting with The Anguish and ending with The Beginning. I found myself relating to some of the poems. The heartbreak of break ups. The struggles of loving yourself. The depression. Some anger. And trying to have a positive outlook. I didn't experience the trauma, but was in a very toxic relationship in my past. Books like this help me. I like to know I'm not alone. But I can see how it might be too hard for others to read.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I gave it 4 stars. Thank you to the publisher for reaching out and sending me a finished copy to review.
Lots of warnings: rape, abuse, scars are mentioned a lot, so I think cutting, mental health, and a lot of hurt and anger.
It's always hard to review poetry. Readers will interpret things differently. Some readers will be moved by a poem that another person hated. Some readers will relate to the poetry and others just won't get it.
What I found while reading this was a woman who was hurt. A woman who struggled after that with relationships. And then a woman getting stronger and trying to put herself back together. A woman learning to love herself and her flaws. The book is broken up starting with The Anguish and ending with The Beginning. I found myself relating to some of the poems. The heartbreak of break ups. The struggles of loving yourself. The depression. Some anger. And trying to have a positive outlook. I didn't experience the trauma, but was in a very toxic relationship in my past. Books like this help me. I like to know I'm not alone. But I can see how it might be too hard for others to read.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I gave it 4 stars. Thank you to the publisher for reaching out and sending me a finished copy to review.
Lots of warnings: rape, abuse, scars are mentioned a lot, so I think cutting, mental health, and a lot of hurt and anger.
April 20, 2019
I’m a mess. Tears on my face. Eyes red and pulsating. Nikita Gill did it again and she did it so wonderfully with beautiful words and an impactful message. At this stage, Gill could come out with a recipe book and I would give it 5 stars SHE’S JUST SUCH AN INCREDIBLE POET AND WRITER. I feel so much when I read Gill’s work and honestly, this collection was organised amazingly well and did so in a manner that was thematic and also portrayed the process of healing. The poetry was incredible, understatement, but I love when she incorporates space and the stars with survival and healing and self-love. It’s a beautiful collection.
Want to read
August 10, 2019
March 31, 2024
I liked "The Anguish " and " The beginning "
The most.
"If the world was ending, you would be the first to sacrifice yourself but not because you are trying to do "the right thing," but because you want it all to end, You find parts of yourself so repellent you lay on the self-hatred like it is perfume to cover up the stink of absolute despair wholeheartedly agree with your critics, become the worst of your own bullies, intimidate those who hate you with how much you hate yourself. You are the sort of human being who has become an urgent cry for help, for a person to step in and humanize you in your own eyes
by being kind to you
so you can learn to love yourself."
The most.
"If the world was ending, you would be the first to sacrifice yourself but not because you are trying to do "the right thing," but because you want it all to end, You find parts of yourself so repellent you lay on the self-hatred like it is perfume to cover up the stink of absolute despair wholeheartedly agree with your critics, become the worst of your own bullies, intimidate those who hate you with how much you hate yourself. You are the sort of human being who has become an urgent cry for help, for a person to step in and humanize you in your own eyes
by being kind to you
so you can learn to love yourself."
August 4, 2024
Each and every part of this book was so beautifully written. Every chapter and every line spoken from an area of hurt and healing, that combined left me with a feeling of hope and faith. So many parts of this book speak to the process of healing and how different, chaotic and messy it may look on everyone. While also highlighting the concept and importance of self love which can vary so vastly from person to person.
December 29, 2024
I have loved Nikita Gill since I first picked up her book, The Angel of Redemption a year ago.
This is my third book by her and I continue to be in awe of her work and her words.
All three of the books, I have read aloud to my friend. She has become our ultimate comfort read. We even had the fortune of receiving a signed copy of one of her books when I reached out to her on Instagram.
This book cut deep and is very relatable.
This is my third book by her and I continue to be in awe of her work and her words.
All three of the books, I have read aloud to my friend. She has become our ultimate comfort read. We even had the fortune of receiving a signed copy of one of her books when I reached out to her on Instagram.
This book cut deep and is very relatable.
July 30, 2019
3.5 ⭐️
I was provided by Thought Catalog Books a copy in exchange for an honest review. This is the third book I have read by Nikita Gill, while I am not a huge fan I saw how her poetry evolved through time. How it has become more solid and more evocative. Her poetry has the usual theme of self-love, heartbreak, feminism now mixed with some mythology concepts, which I appreciate. I still have this problem with her poetry, to me they are still repetitive. If you’re a fan of Lang Leav and Rupi Kaur, you would definitely enjoy Nikita Gill.
I was provided by Thought Catalog Books a copy in exchange for an honest review. This is the third book I have read by Nikita Gill, while I am not a huge fan I saw how her poetry evolved through time. How it has become more solid and more evocative. Her poetry has the usual theme of self-love, heartbreak, feminism now mixed with some mythology concepts, which I appreciate. I still have this problem with her poetry, to me they are still repetitive. If you’re a fan of Lang Leav and Rupi Kaur, you would definitely enjoy Nikita Gill.
April 28, 2020
Nikita Gill's poetry and prose speaks to my soul. She understands the depths of trauma and abuse, and of trying to heal from a heart too broken to want to move forward. I found life and light in her words, and would especially recommend this book to any woman who is a survivor of domestic violence, trauma, or sexual abuse.
August 13, 2019
4.5
Beautifully lyrical
Beautifully lyrical
May 10, 2020
Beautiful and soulful collection that centres around abuse, trauma and pain. The stages of healing and accepting yourself after the events of.
October 21, 2022
ugh, this is so beautiful.
I never even knew that some of my favorite quotes were from Your Heart is the Sea .
I never even knew that some of my favorite quotes were from Your Heart is the Sea .
June 25, 2025
10/10 🤝
July 15, 2023
So good. Nikita Gill takes you from heartbreak to healing and leaves you with a sense that it is going to be ok.
December 8, 2020
I was hoping to love this book but it fell short. It seems like the author expects people to look out at the universe and become emotionally healed in an instant. Looking at stars and galaxies does not provide the foundations of true healing. That is not how healing works and I could not connect with the majority of her poems. I would have given this two stars but there were several poems that really resonated with me and will stick in my mind for years to come. Some of the poems had a very Buddhist feel to them and I found myself thinking about them for days.
September 20, 2019
Originally posted on: The Quirky Book Nerd
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
This is the first poetry collection by Nikita Gill that I have read and I really enjoyed it. I read so many contemporary poetry collections these days and I have to admit, a lot of them start to run together. Many poets write on the same topics—that’s to be expected—but a select few really put forth work that stands out among the rest. This collection is definitely one of those. She touches on common and timely topics in a way that does not feel unoriginal or repetitive and uses a mixture of both poetry and short essays. Between her writing style, the way she sets up each section of the book, and her own unique way she approaches every topic she covers, Gill’s work makes for a very refreshing read.
This collection is broken up into eight different sections: The Anguish, The Descent, The Acceptance, The Defiance, The Survival, The Worship, The Wonder, and The Beginning. Each one deals with themes that portray the process of going from breaking all the way through to healing. I found this to be a really powerful way to form a sort of narrative that unfolded over the course of the book. Gill achieves a very accurate depiction of the healing process, as we all begin at the point of breaking before we become whole again. Her poems and essays fit each of the categories well, demonstrated progress, and brought the entire collection full circle in the end.
The topic of each section comes together to show the journey we take as we deal with individual aspects of our grief. Her work shows the importance of taking things a step at a time, letting ourselves feel every emotion and not shy away from them, and finally, picking up each piece and putting ourselves back together. One of the biggest messages found here is how we must find the courage to fight through our pain and heal while also allowing those experiences and our flaws to remain part of us. She reminds us that all of those things inside us—whole, flawed, broken, mending—make us who we are and we should never be ashamed of any of it.
Gill’s writing style is quite beautiful and her poems are very impactful. She writes in a way that flows very fluidly and is easy to become swept up in. She uses an even mix of her thoughts and personal experiences, making this work very relatable. I connected well with all of it, even when the topics were not similar to any experience I have dealt with in my life. Every subject is addressed in a way that is universally understandable. There is much value to be found and many things to be learned throughout this entire collection.
She brought out the emotion in every single poem and essay very vividly and made every moment memorable. Her writing is lyrical without becoming too flowery, which strengthens the depth and meaningfulness of each piece. The efficacy of Gill’s words is heightened through their frankness. She is poetic but very raw and honest—her writing is candid, focused, and doesn’t mess about. That kind of fearless writing makes a collection like this powerful and relatable. This is definitely something I can see myself returning to read many times in the future.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
This is the first poetry collection by Nikita Gill that I have read and I really enjoyed it. I read so many contemporary poetry collections these days and I have to admit, a lot of them start to run together. Many poets write on the same topics—that’s to be expected—but a select few really put forth work that stands out among the rest. This collection is definitely one of those. She touches on common and timely topics in a way that does not feel unoriginal or repetitive and uses a mixture of both poetry and short essays. Between her writing style, the way she sets up each section of the book, and her own unique way she approaches every topic she covers, Gill’s work makes for a very refreshing read.
This collection is broken up into eight different sections: The Anguish, The Descent, The Acceptance, The Defiance, The Survival, The Worship, The Wonder, and The Beginning. Each one deals with themes that portray the process of going from breaking all the way through to healing. I found this to be a really powerful way to form a sort of narrative that unfolded over the course of the book. Gill achieves a very accurate depiction of the healing process, as we all begin at the point of breaking before we become whole again. Her poems and essays fit each of the categories well, demonstrated progress, and brought the entire collection full circle in the end.
The topic of each section comes together to show the journey we take as we deal with individual aspects of our grief. Her work shows the importance of taking things a step at a time, letting ourselves feel every emotion and not shy away from them, and finally, picking up each piece and putting ourselves back together. One of the biggest messages found here is how we must find the courage to fight through our pain and heal while also allowing those experiences and our flaws to remain part of us. She reminds us that all of those things inside us—whole, flawed, broken, mending—make us who we are and we should never be ashamed of any of it.
Gill’s writing style is quite beautiful and her poems are very impactful. She writes in a way that flows very fluidly and is easy to become swept up in. She uses an even mix of her thoughts and personal experiences, making this work very relatable. I connected well with all of it, even when the topics were not similar to any experience I have dealt with in my life. Every subject is addressed in a way that is universally understandable. There is much value to be found and many things to be learned throughout this entire collection.
She brought out the emotion in every single poem and essay very vividly and made every moment memorable. Her writing is lyrical without becoming too flowery, which strengthens the depth and meaningfulness of each piece. The efficacy of Gill’s words is heightened through their frankness. She is poetic but very raw and honest—her writing is candid, focused, and doesn’t mess about. That kind of fearless writing makes a collection like this powerful and relatable. This is definitely something I can see myself returning to read many times in the future.
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