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Even the Saints Audition
Even The Saints Audition: A book of poems exploring the relationship between blackness, shame, and what it is to live a life tied to the church. Rich with historical context and a deeply engaging personal narrative.
- GenresPoetry
96 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 20, 2019
I’ve come to love most poetry released by Button Poetry, but this on was just okay. I particularly liked the poems on Job (from the Bible), but felt others were too similar to the Instagram poets I tend to stay away from (only longer).
January 20, 2021
This collection gave me The Poet X vibes when I started reading it.
The book is divided into three sections or Acts tackling with themes like feminism, religion, family, relationships.
The first two sections really got me. The lines are hard hitting.
Somehow the hype died down a little when I reached the third section/act. I somehow could not relate with the lines dealing with sexual content and for me it sounds like a bit insensitive.
I like the collection for one time read.
Thank you #NetGalley for the book #EvenTheSaintsAudition.
The book is divided into three sections or Acts tackling with themes like feminism, religion, family, relationships.
The first two sections really got me. The lines are hard hitting.
Somehow the hype died down a little when I reached the third section/act. I somehow could not relate with the lines dealing with sexual content and for me it sounds like a bit insensitive.
I like the collection for one time read.
Thank you #NetGalley for the book #EvenTheSaintsAudition.
November 15, 2019
I loved this poetry collection that circled around themes of faith and blackness, Job, God, guilt, sin, sex, drug addiction, poverty and loneliness. Jackson plays with words wonderfully, making you work to understand some of the poems while spelling it out for you in others. The poems are uncomfortably honest, dealing with topics like her guilt for masturbation as a preteen and her aunt's suicide. This collection won't be everyone, which is my favorite kind of poetry collection.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
December 24, 2019
I got the book in the mail and sat on it for a few days. There's something especially intimate to me about a physical copy of work, and I wanted to approach it in its own time. The artwork drew me in, and I finally succumbed to it. Bro, this book is for real so good that it makes me a little mad. Like, Raych for real just out here releasing magic?
It's a journey through the stifled thoughts and feelings of an emotionally-curious young woman failing to convince herself she's not a circle in a congregation - and world - of square holes. Taking off the blindfold too many times and seeing too much of the light to willingly go back to the darkness. Wondering why people who claim to love you don't understand that you're different.
It brims with so much truth. It's the artistic personification of growing up in a church and being shushed when you ask for unbiased explanations on sensitive topics; it's the whooping you get in the bathroom because you were acting up in youth service; it's the unfair pressure that can be put on impressionable young people in religious settings to suppress urges or thoughts, or else reap the punishment of burning for eternity. Dealing with the everyday woes of being a human and having few people, if anyone, to go to for answers. This book provides a raw perspective of an intimate and well told tale of so many of our lives. I would love to see these issues directly addressed in congregations and households everywhere. Your children think and feel too; listen to them.
Look. The artwork is dope. The formatting is crazy. The attention to detail in each poem is literal genius. It even smells good. Buy it. Experience it for yourself.
It's a journey through the stifled thoughts and feelings of an emotionally-curious young woman failing to convince herself she's not a circle in a congregation - and world - of square holes. Taking off the blindfold too many times and seeing too much of the light to willingly go back to the darkness. Wondering why people who claim to love you don't understand that you're different.
It brims with so much truth. It's the artistic personification of growing up in a church and being shushed when you ask for unbiased explanations on sensitive topics; it's the whooping you get in the bathroom because you were acting up in youth service; it's the unfair pressure that can be put on impressionable young people in religious settings to suppress urges or thoughts, or else reap the punishment of burning for eternity. Dealing with the everyday woes of being a human and having few people, if anyone, to go to for answers. This book provides a raw perspective of an intimate and well told tale of so many of our lives. I would love to see these issues directly addressed in congregations and households everywhere. Your children think and feel too; listen to them.
Look. The artwork is dope. The formatting is crazy. The attention to detail in each poem is literal genius. It even smells good. Buy it. Experience it for yourself.
October 22, 2019
I received a digital advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating 1.5 stars (rounded up to 2)
This poetry collection talks about spirituality and religion. I must admit, I am nor spiritual neither a religious person - at all, so it didn’t end up to be my cup of tea. Adding to that, I didn’t like the writing style as well as some poem designs.
On a more positive note, there was a verse in a certain poem that I really liked and I related to:
“When he leans in I jump & hold my cry
Until I get home; a skill he’s helped me
Practice. I’m still me. I’m still me. I’m still
My happiest alone, have to fight myself.”
Although I did not like it, I still recommend it to those who likes to read about spirituality and religious related books and poems.
Actual rating 1.5 stars (rounded up to 2)
This poetry collection talks about spirituality and religion. I must admit, I am nor spiritual neither a religious person - at all, so it didn’t end up to be my cup of tea. Adding to that, I didn’t like the writing style as well as some poem designs.
On a more positive note, there was a verse in a certain poem that I really liked and I related to:
“When he leans in I jump & hold my cry
Until I get home; a skill he’s helped me
Practice. I’m still me. I’m still me. I’m still
My happiest alone, have to fight myself.”
Although I did not like it, I still recommend it to those who likes to read about spirituality and religious related books and poems.
September 24, 2019
"Time is rumored to heal all wounds. No one claims it erases them."
Even the Saints Audition pulled me in closely, held me tighter than a distant relative quickly becoming familiar, and sat right next until I devoured the very last poem. I could not put this book down. And while this book was not on my radar, I was instantly lured in with one look of the cover. Even if you weren't sure of the subject matter, the title and beautifully haunting cover illustration alone would make the most unbothered person curious. So, I went into this poetry collection with a completely open mind and was pleasantly surprised.
Even the Saints Audition reads like a series of letters to the Church Girls who've experienced shame and fear of looming punishment for committing sin. And because I was raised in the church, I could relate so much to the experiences Jackson highlights in her poems. She confesses "impure" thoughts, mourns the loss of her "fun" aunt, and shares moments of overwhelming depression in such a raw and lyrical way, I somehow felt connected to her-- as if I was eavesdropping in on her life's story.
Jackson made me feel things, made me question things, and made me hopeful that she'd found a peace in sharing her truth with such brilliant metaphors and rhythm. Though Jackson and I may not share the same feelings about growing up in the church, I appreciate the honesty and heart she poured into each of these poems. It's def worth the read.
Major thanks to Netgalley and Button Poetry for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Even the Saints Audition pulled me in closely, held me tighter than a distant relative quickly becoming familiar, and sat right next until I devoured the very last poem. I could not put this book down. And while this book was not on my radar, I was instantly lured in with one look of the cover. Even if you weren't sure of the subject matter, the title and beautifully haunting cover illustration alone would make the most unbothered person curious. So, I went into this poetry collection with a completely open mind and was pleasantly surprised.
Even the Saints Audition reads like a series of letters to the Church Girls who've experienced shame and fear of looming punishment for committing sin. And because I was raised in the church, I could relate so much to the experiences Jackson highlights in her poems. She confesses "impure" thoughts, mourns the loss of her "fun" aunt, and shares moments of overwhelming depression in such a raw and lyrical way, I somehow felt connected to her-- as if I was eavesdropping in on her life's story.
Jackson made me feel things, made me question things, and made me hopeful that she'd found a peace in sharing her truth with such brilliant metaphors and rhythm. Though Jackson and I may not share the same feelings about growing up in the church, I appreciate the honesty and heart she poured into each of these poems. It's def worth the read.
Major thanks to Netgalley and Button Poetry for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2019
The first page of this book quotes gospel singer Andre Crouch and (not at all gospel) rapper P. Rico. I knew right then, this author understood me. Raych dedicated her book to family and fellow church babies. I don't know her personally, but being black and also raised in church, these poems felt like home. I've struggled with some of the same questions she wrestles with, many of which, in the end, are rhetorical. As hurt as it seems she was by such a rigid upbringing, faith is not something she can simply amputate from her soul. For every understandable criticism of strict religion in these poems, she also has moments of gratitude to God for simple blessings in life, like in the pen-ultimate poem where the "Church girl learns to pray again". Throughout the book, she is curious and confused about the god she learned about in church, even angry and afraid at times. And yet, the book opens with the words "To God be the glory" and ends with "Thank you reader, and thank you God." Not quite the framing you would expect from the content of the pages, but neither does it feel like hypocrisy. Whether you're religious or not, we all struggle with trying to decide what to hold on to from the things we were taught as children. For most of us, it's not all good or all bad. In the end, Raych's faith is hers. Not her parent's or her church's. This book is her deconstructing and rebuilding a house of prayer, where she once again learns to pray in her own way. I would highly recommend it.
October 1, 2019
Honestly when I started this book I wasn’t sure how much I was going to enjoy it. It’s one of very few that I’ve read in this genre and I realized I’m not as religious as I was before. The writing was beautiful though and I kept reading even though I felt some of it was provocative. I would recommend it to a mature audience that’s very religious.
August 20, 2020
EVEN THE SAINTS AUDITION is a righteous collection of poems. In it, the author grapples with coming (& cumming) of age in the Christian church. In these unapologetically Black girl poems, Jackson expertly leads readers into a new form of revival—retelling Biblical narratives as a means to unequivocally interrogate religion and its wrath. This book is so succinctly assembled, it leaves no room for doubt, even though the author is wrestling with it herself.
Jam-packed with many shining moments, a standout of this book is the series “On Job,” which defines and depicts the story of Job, God, and the Devil, through Jackson’s interpretations. The first poem in the book begins the series, and by the end of the poem, my jaw dropped at the last line: “I return to the Devil asking / permission to torment. / I can’t overlook God saying yes.”
To God be the glory Raych Jackson is writing poetry. To God be the glory.
Jam-packed with many shining moments, a standout of this book is the series “On Job,” which defines and depicts the story of Job, God, and the Devil, through Jackson’s interpretations. The first poem in the book begins the series, and by the end of the poem, my jaw dropped at the last line: “I return to the Devil asking / permission to torment. / I can’t overlook God saying yes.”
To God be the glory Raych Jackson is writing poetry. To God be the glory.
October 4, 2020
Not every poem wowed me, but I haven’t read anything else that has captured the unique inquisitive angst of a heathen church kid. I really enjoyed this collection!
October 9, 2019
*I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Like all of Button’s books, “Even the Saints Audition” was transparent, painfully honest, brimming with sharp edges and hard questions. The blurb says it explores “the relationship between blackness, shame, and what it is to live a life tied to the church…” It does exactly what it promises, with a gripping narrative that is extremely personal and visceral.
Jason tackles religion —tackles God and her complicated relationship with Him and His church and everyone in her congregation— with brutal sincerity. It doesn’t shy away from all the murky waters the church can create for women awakening to their sexuality, or dealing with mental health, or simply asking questions. And her faith shines through, never lukewarm, but scolding hot and eager to be found. I loved the recurrent use of Job and his story, and the complexities of not knowing, as a Christian, what one must take from it. That God will protect us? That God will bet on us?
Though my favorite poems were those full of rebellion, angry and questioning, I really appreciated how the book came full circle, starting with lines like “God will give you nothing…” and “She reminds her Eve was also a curious woman, who God cursed…”, but ending with two poems in which she fully embraces her faith, with all its complications and limitations:
“I practice praying while he snores in my ear.
His sighs are my cheat code. God must have
a soft spot for me. I’m not dead yet. I perfect
my amen to close our future prayers. I nudge
him to roll on his side & soften his breathing.
He reaches out to hold me without opening
an eye. Thank you God, amen I whisper. How
can I claim God doesn’t listen to sinners?
How else could I get such a blessing?”
-
I can’t say I fully loved the poetry, because its technical and figurative constructions left me wanting for… a little more. The most exploratory pieces, structure wise, lost me. But I’m not saying the poetry was bad, because it wasn’t; just not my type. Despite this, I fully recommend it to fans of the genre. The thoughts Jackson shared in her poems still have me thinking as I write this review, days after closing the book. The lines were compelling, jarring in the way only delicious sentences can be, thought provoking, soul barred, open, ready to swallow the reader like the ground that swallowed Korah. What else can you demand in a book? What else can you demand in a poet?
Trigger warnings: racism, mental illness, suicidal thoughts.
Like all of Button’s books, “Even the Saints Audition” was transparent, painfully honest, brimming with sharp edges and hard questions. The blurb says it explores “the relationship between blackness, shame, and what it is to live a life tied to the church…” It does exactly what it promises, with a gripping narrative that is extremely personal and visceral.
Jason tackles religion —tackles God and her complicated relationship with Him and His church and everyone in her congregation— with brutal sincerity. It doesn’t shy away from all the murky waters the church can create for women awakening to their sexuality, or dealing with mental health, or simply asking questions. And her faith shines through, never lukewarm, but scolding hot and eager to be found. I loved the recurrent use of Job and his story, and the complexities of not knowing, as a Christian, what one must take from it. That God will protect us? That God will bet on us?
Though my favorite poems were those full of rebellion, angry and questioning, I really appreciated how the book came full circle, starting with lines like “God will give you nothing…” and “She reminds her Eve was also a curious woman, who God cursed…”, but ending with two poems in which she fully embraces her faith, with all its complications and limitations:
“I practice praying while he snores in my ear.
His sighs are my cheat code. God must have
a soft spot for me. I’m not dead yet. I perfect
my amen to close our future prayers. I nudge
him to roll on his side & soften his breathing.
He reaches out to hold me without opening
an eye. Thank you God, amen I whisper. How
can I claim God doesn’t listen to sinners?
How else could I get such a blessing?”
-
I can’t say I fully loved the poetry, because its technical and figurative constructions left me wanting for… a little more. The most exploratory pieces, structure wise, lost me. But I’m not saying the poetry was bad, because it wasn’t; just not my type. Despite this, I fully recommend it to fans of the genre. The thoughts Jackson shared in her poems still have me thinking as I write this review, days after closing the book. The lines were compelling, jarring in the way only delicious sentences can be, thought provoking, soul barred, open, ready to swallow the reader like the ground that swallowed Korah. What else can you demand in a book? What else can you demand in a poet?
Trigger warnings: racism, mental illness, suicidal thoughts.
January 12, 2020
I’ve held off from writing about or even reviewing this book for some time not because of dislike but because I like it so much. Reading these collection of poems inspired me to write, to feel. I grew up in the church connecting to it for far different reasons than Raych but still reading each poem and understanding or just hearing. I’m not longer a religious person not even sure if spiritually connected to any one idea but still to this date I reread each poem and feel like the idea of feeling the bad egg in a sea of chickens can relate to me and is cool even when a piece doesn’t. Read it you never know how you’ll relate and what you might even find about yourself if you don’t.
May 23, 2020
Thank you to Button Poetry for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I haven’t posted a review in a while, but I’m back with a special review of "Even the Saints Audition" by Raych Jackson. To be completely honest, I was a bit hesitant during the first few poems in this book. I have always shied away from religious books, and for a moment I thought this might be the same. Boy, was I wrong.
Religion is the backdrop of this unique collection of poetry, but it’s from the perspective of a young, liberal, open minded woman. Jackson first explains how religion shaped her childhood, and slowly brings to light the issues she encountered.
One of Jackson’s biggest conflicts growing up, with the idea that depression was a punishment because she was sinful. As woman who suffers from depression, she tells her story from beginning.
“My first panic attacked is at church camp surrounded
by saints who believe terror is what a sinner deserves.”
Jackson grew up under strict Christian rule. She talks about her confusion as a child while she tried to understand God as a murderer and punisher as well as her holy Father. She experienced Christianity from a very told-school perspective, yet through this collection she confronts religion on her own from a new perspective.
Jackson talks about being a Christian but also talks about her experience with sex, drugs, and masterbation. One of my favorite poems from this collection is “Wasted grooming”, where she says,
“I shaved my ass for this?! Do you know how hard it is to find & snatch out the long curly hair? [….] This morning I contorted in my shower like a cramped up mannequin. Ran my hand over the hand to reach spots for the Spike Test™ until I’m an eight ball. All this for an orgasm I wrote on my to do list.”
Stylistically, Jackson’s poetry is pretty simple, yet she also experiments with erasure and rap lyrics, as well as her own unique form. Her poetry is a combination of the hard truth, mixed with graceful compassion. Throughout this 68-page collection, I got a small taste of who Jackson is, and look forward to seeing what else she has up her sleeve. I do wish she had talked about a variety of topics, but with that being said, she does what she knows how to do excellently. Enjoy some of my favorite quotes below,
“I sin & misery wanders
into my home. I get saved
& it never leaves.”
“God will give you nothing more
than you can bear. The Sunday School
teacher cuts her finger collecting rusted
grace from the prayer.”
“On a bad day I can’t decide if I should thank God
or His Guilt.”
“A black girl is happiest when rooted to the scalp are braids. She dances with them whipping down her back like corn in winds of harvest.”
I haven’t posted a review in a while, but I’m back with a special review of "Even the Saints Audition" by Raych Jackson. To be completely honest, I was a bit hesitant during the first few poems in this book. I have always shied away from religious books, and for a moment I thought this might be the same. Boy, was I wrong.
Religion is the backdrop of this unique collection of poetry, but it’s from the perspective of a young, liberal, open minded woman. Jackson first explains how religion shaped her childhood, and slowly brings to light the issues she encountered.
One of Jackson’s biggest conflicts growing up, with the idea that depression was a punishment because she was sinful. As woman who suffers from depression, she tells her story from beginning.
“My first panic attacked is at church camp surrounded
by saints who believe terror is what a sinner deserves.”
Jackson grew up under strict Christian rule. She talks about her confusion as a child while she tried to understand God as a murderer and punisher as well as her holy Father. She experienced Christianity from a very told-school perspective, yet through this collection she confronts religion on her own from a new perspective.
Jackson talks about being a Christian but also talks about her experience with sex, drugs, and masterbation. One of my favorite poems from this collection is “Wasted grooming”, where she says,
“I shaved my ass for this?! Do you know how hard it is to find & snatch out the long curly hair? [….] This morning I contorted in my shower like a cramped up mannequin. Ran my hand over the hand to reach spots for the Spike Test™ until I’m an eight ball. All this for an orgasm I wrote on my to do list.”
Stylistically, Jackson’s poetry is pretty simple, yet she also experiments with erasure and rap lyrics, as well as her own unique form. Her poetry is a combination of the hard truth, mixed with graceful compassion. Throughout this 68-page collection, I got a small taste of who Jackson is, and look forward to seeing what else she has up her sleeve. I do wish she had talked about a variety of topics, but with that being said, she does what she knows how to do excellently. Enjoy some of my favorite quotes below,
“I sin & misery wanders
into my home. I get saved
& it never leaves.”
“God will give you nothing more
than you can bear. The Sunday School
teacher cuts her finger collecting rusted
grace from the prayer.”
“On a bad day I can’t decide if I should thank God
or His Guilt.”
“A black girl is happiest when rooted to the scalp are braids. She dances with them whipping down her back like corn in winds of harvest.”
Read
September 25, 2019I’m a huge fan of spiritual poetry, so I was interested to read this book. I really enjoyed the author’s unique perspective on growing up in the African American church. My favorite pieces were the ones in which she interpreted the book of Job and struggled with issues of the double standards that many women face in the church. As a fellow church girl, I can relate to many of her struggles; however, I was not prepared for the graphic nature of some of these poems. I would have preferred some type of warning or indication because many of the pieces were triggering and dealt with very mature content. Not for the easily offended or faint of heart- this visceral collection is not your typical book of religious poems.
October 2, 2019
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*
"Even the Saints Audition" is a collection of poetry navigating the abyss between religious belief and sexual self-discovery and independence. There are also other poems about religion & family, going to Church when feeling like a sinner because of one's mind and thoughts.
I quite liked the collection. The poems were brutally honest, creating an intimacy between focalizer and reader.
However, I felt that the poems were connected but I also found that many poems weren't going anywhere - at least for me. As a white agnostic I lack knowledge & experience in that very specific setting, yet I enjoyed them. I learned a lot.
4 Stars
"Even the Saints Audition" is a collection of poetry navigating the abyss between religious belief and sexual self-discovery and independence. There are also other poems about religion & family, going to Church when feeling like a sinner because of one's mind and thoughts.
I quite liked the collection. The poems were brutally honest, creating an intimacy between focalizer and reader.
However, I felt that the poems were connected but I also found that many poems weren't going anywhere - at least for me. As a white agnostic I lack knowledge & experience in that very specific setting, yet I enjoyed them. I learned a lot.
4 Stars
February 11, 2020
I found myself liking what this book was about more than I liked the book. For those of us who struggled and fought as young people with what are very often the controlling absurdities of life in church, the themes and images will resonate, sometimes painfully or bitterly. There are especially some nice contemporary renditions of the story of Job and its implications, if adding nothing absolutely new to the 30 centuries of midrashim turned over and over again to explain or protest Gods complicity in and impassivity towards Job’s suffering. In the end I felt there were too many theses and too few poems. Still, it is a book in earnest. Though it records the poet’s pain and joy more than it makes me feel it, I felt there were more and better books to come.
July 28, 2020
"The worst type of sinner is the sinner who knows better."
This is one is for the ten year old, church kid, who could never stay saved. Every week with eyes squeezed shut and fists clenched together they would ask God into their life. They would beg him to stop their evil sinning and to silence their doubts, but they couldn't seem to forget Job. "How could an all loving God let someone suffer just to brag? How could he send people he supposedly loves to hell? That doesn't seem like eternal love to me. Aunt Marry doesn't believe, but she is SO kind. Surly God wants her in heaven. I want her there... I don't think I believe." And once they got there, they did the only thing they could: Prayed.
"If God listened to sinners I would've prayed my mind right a long time ago."
This is one is for the ten year old, church kid, who could never stay saved. Every week with eyes squeezed shut and fists clenched together they would ask God into their life. They would beg him to stop their evil sinning and to silence their doubts, but they couldn't seem to forget Job. "How could an all loving God let someone suffer just to brag? How could he send people he supposedly loves to hell? That doesn't seem like eternal love to me. Aunt Marry doesn't believe, but she is SO kind. Surly God wants her in heaven. I want her there... I don't think I believe." And once they got there, they did the only thing they could: Prayed.
"If God listened to sinners I would've prayed my mind right a long time ago."
December 13, 2019
This collection is a heartfelt exploration of what it's like to be a person prone to questioning the theology they're taught since childhood. I was especially interested on the "On Job" poems which push back against the lessons we're "supposed" to learn from the story. On the other hand, I was a little disappointed in the hymn erasure poems; they didn't seem to be saying anything all that different from the originals, and I thought they could have pushed it much further. I appreciate the intersectionality of many of these poems, giving glimpses into experiences that I both can and can't relate to.
September 24, 2019
This right here is looking at what it means to be righteous, exploring the understanding of Scripture in real life struggles.
You'll love titles like "Jonah was trapped before he met the fish" and take a step back to feel what the author invites you to experience on every time you come across "On Job."
The author incorporates various formats for the pieces herein, so you are up for some surprises if you think this collection follows the normal book formatting. Thanks Netgalley for the eARC, and to the publisher- I love the cover.
You'll love titles like "Jonah was trapped before he met the fish" and take a step back to feel what the author invites you to experience on every time you come across "On Job."
The author incorporates various formats for the pieces herein, so you are up for some surprises if you think this collection follows the normal book formatting. Thanks Netgalley for the eARC, and to the publisher- I love the cover.
November 17, 2019
Raych Jackson and I may hail from opposite sides of the earth but the (former) church girl and Christian guilt heaped upon us is the same everywhere, which makes me both feel a kinship and yet sad at the same time. Using Job from the Bible as a running theme, Jackson takes us on a trip through problems in both religious and reality, pointing out that human behaviour will always be in conflict with religious teachings. I have experienced and questioned the same things. It resonates. I hear you.
This eARC of 'Even the Saints Audition' is courtesy of NetGalley.
This eARC of 'Even the Saints Audition' is courtesy of NetGalley.
December 9, 2019
I didn't love this poetry book. I loved the themes, the messages, and some of the poems. But I did not love this book.
Lines like "My Sunday school teacher thinks we've forgotten God is a murderer" and "I return to the Devil asking permission to torment. I can't overlook God saying yes" are lines that have stuck in my head for days.
Most of the poems at the beginning and the end are stunning. But the ones in the middle all mush together. If it wasn't for them, this would probably be a 4 star review.
Overall, it was an interesting poetry book but not one I'm going to read again.
Lines like "My Sunday school teacher thinks we've forgotten God is a murderer" and "I return to the Devil asking permission to torment. I can't overlook God saying yes" are lines that have stuck in my head for days.
Most of the poems at the beginning and the end are stunning. But the ones in the middle all mush together. If it wasn't for them, this would probably be a 4 star review.
Overall, it was an interesting poetry book but not one I'm going to read again.
February 18, 2020
Raych wrote this for us that grew up in the church. It's clear and wonderful from the beginning. I love how she constantly critiques Bible stories and juxtaposes them with her own life. She wrote exactly what it's like growing up in a black church. I also LOVE Granny's wall. I believe each poem is actually picture frames but Raych's lets the reader decide. Even in the end she doesn't answer what I wanted to know: how does she feel about God now? I love she chose not to. My guess is she still struggles like the rest of us born and raised in the church.
February 21, 2023
I really enjoyed this collection. It was a narrative that felt entirely human. From childhood to adulthood the reader is let into the private thoughts of the author in a way that builds a scene around the inner workings themselves. This was relatable in a way that was perfected by the lack of clean cut storylines and tied up loose ends. Well done and beautiful use of form in poetry. So much rested at the end of a line and phrase, and the intentionality in punctuation could be seen.
Would reread.
Would reread.
January 11, 2020
This poetry is honest. This book resonated with me in many ways and challenged me in others. I was the kid who was told to stop asking questions in Sunday School and sometimes felt like God was more hurtful than holy. I often feel like my life is some laughable audition...and yet somehow...there is grace.
I was especially intrigued by the erasures and found the weaving in-and-our of Jon to be the most compelling.
I was especially intrigued by the erasures and found the weaving in-and-our of Jon to be the most compelling.
January 11, 2020
Words this honest aren’t solely meant for the reader. Although this work was a direct hit in my specific gut, it mustn’t be ignored that ETSA ushers you to places most people attempt to repress the memory of, in what I can only assume is the culmination of years spent learning to embrace one’s true self. Take this admirable work as a reflection of the grace the author has clearly learned how to appropriately apply.
Read
May 4, 2020I fortunately bought this right before the covid quarantine, I read it in a day and fell in love. For anyone who grew up with a religious background and has since walked away (or not), I recommend! Raychel beautifully describes her experience growing in the culture which touches the heart of anyone with a similar experience. Her words dance around you and you’re captivated by each page. Incredible writing, and a pleasure to read.
December 29, 2024
"this is the year of insecurities / baptized in impurities / pull glass out my knuckles / mirror punching, gritting wisdom teeth / one day I'll love myself / till then I'll burn it, third degree" - Church Girl raps to herself under the covers
While I couldn't personally relate to a lot of the poems, some of them hit incredibly hard as a former church kid myself. An overall excellent collection.
While I couldn't personally relate to a lot of the poems, some of them hit incredibly hard as a former church kid myself. An overall excellent collection.
January 4, 2020
I bought this book after hearing Raych Jackson perform a few of the poems at a poetry slam. I went home and read the whole thing immediately. I really enjoyed the unique but relatable voice of her poems. Definitely one of my new favorites and I plan on buying a copy for my friend who also grew up in church and struggles reconciling that upbringing and her current faith. Great book!
February 11, 2021
This is a gorgeous and evocative collection about religion, growing up in the church, sexuality, among other topics. I loved the form--it was accessible, but there was also some variety. I absolutely loved each of the On Job poems, and really all of them, but the poem Jonah was trapped before he met the fish was absolutely incredible. Incredible. Absolutely would recommend this collection.
September 18, 2019
I wish I could time travel and give this book to my 14 year old self. Rachel has taken time to explore the shadows of religion, the shadows of light, and has emerged with this book, her own testament of sorts and one that feeds and feeds and feeds.
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