History Will Remember When The World Stopped: poems from a pandemic

by Donna Ashworth

A collection of beautiful poems and letters written throughout the lock-down by Donna Ashworth. Donna is followed daily by women all over the world, on her social media sites and blog. Her words are a source of comfort, inspiration and hope. Donna’s work has been published by Amnesty International and voiced by stars of stage and screen. This book is the perfect keepsake for an unprecedented time.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

103 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2020

Reviews

[Myriah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was expecting more, this was a disappointment. I know part of that is because of a POV difference- that is no fault of the author. But the greatest issue is the silver lining/sugarcoating of one of the worst events in recent history. Everything is looked at as a pause, a rest, a chance to breathe and start anew. It’s an ignorant privilege to look at any of this in that way.

A quote: “when the world started turning again, everything was sweeter, though loved ones were lost.”

No.

“You won’t remember the boredom or loneliness... you won’t recall the money problems...”

Yes I will. This year was not full of fun zoom calls and time with family and getting the chance to appreciate the little things.

I didn’t take my life for granted before all of this, and I haven’t gained anything from this pandemic.

Obviously she has different experiences from me, and that’s fine, everyone does. But she paints the whole year with one brush and it’s toxic positivity on every page.

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“I want you around when this is long gone”

A beautifully judged collection featuring, literally, all the feels. Someone trying to be optimist but completely aware that every out of the ordinary pandemic day wasn’t able to have an ‘ain’t life grand’ atmosphere - fear, not knowing, loneliness, mood swings, anxiety. I love how the collection is split down, and the introductions to each section are so gorgeous - just a really nice collection (with such an appreciative soft to the touch cover) to remind us all what the heck we’ve just tried to live our best through

[Blanche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindle ebook What a treasure this is! These poems spoke directly to me during these uncertain times of Covid 19. I have book marked many of them and will revisit them often. I would recommend this to everyone.

[Debora L. Kinsel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truth

It truly is the words of all of us during this horrible pandemic!
If we could write this...it would be this...

[Stephen Hoffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2 to 2.5 atarsz )

I liked a previous book of poems by Ashworth, but I didn't like quite a lot of these poems.

The pandemic was not a good thing given how many died and I know as my Mum suffered from cancer in the Pandemic, that lockdowns had an awful impact on all health conditions outside of Covid-19, domestic violence, education and caused economic ruin. That's not something to celebrate yet Ashworth from her Champagne Socialist perch paints a picture of pandemic bliss which may be the experience she felt in her rarefied saccharine loaded air, but was not the experience of most of us.

The way she painted children being off school as a good thing and downplayed the impact on children and their families and the value of education really grated on me.

She also talked about mothers, yet ignored fathers, who are clearly invisible to her.

The constant use of you've got this was incredibly patronising.

All that said I've given this 2.5 stars as there were some good poems on grief and fighting mental health battles which were really well written, powerful and connected with me. It's a shame there wasn't more of those sort of poems and less about sugarcoating a pandemic in saccharine and puke inducing unoriginal prose.

[Di McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what can I say, I’d never find a way to put into words how touching this book is, Donna has such a beautiful way with words, I’ve read it 3 times already, but it’s a book you will pick up time and time again.
Also a great piece of history to keep on regards to the pandemic and all we have gone through.

Simply amazing book which will make you feel less alone in this crazy world we’re living in - I’d recommend this book to every one.

Thank you so much Donna for putting your thoughts and feelings on paper and expressing how many of us are feeling in today’s crazy world, it certainly makes you realise you’re not alone with your thoughts and feelings and that helps so much.

[Sheena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first exposure to Ashworth’s poems beyond social media. What I see online has been more polished than this book, so I’m wondering if her writing has evolved and improved quickly. I wasn’t that impressed by this collection. Much of it felt redundant and kind of easy. Those new to poetry would probably enjoy this book, as we can all relate to the inspiration, and the poems are digestible and pleasant. But seasoned poetry readers will find it a bit reductive.
I do plan to give her another chance and will read her latest book when I’m able to get it from the library.

[Bonnie Westmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poems that touched me the most were those on grieving, since I’m grieving the loss of my mom. All truly depicted the good and bad of our last year. This really isn’t a sad book, but a book of hope stressing the importance of love, kindness, and community. It left me pondering what I have learned from this experience. The book is a reflection on how we can use this time to contemplate how the events of the last year and a half have transformed us for the better.

[Kathy Raabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Donna Ashworth’s poetry from the pandemic. I thought of people who died from CORONAVIRUS and of the ones they left behind. Their lives and losses cannot be surmised in a 1/4 page of rhymes. Businesses are still struggling to hire people who will show up for shifts. Goods are still partly unavailable. Have people really learned to slow down and stay that way? Have we all learned to be kind above all else?

[Holly Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was honestly just an okay book, nothing special but some incredibly short and easy to read poems.

[GILLIAN HUTTON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written from the heart

This book is very well written.
A perfect reflection on a difficult year.
A great way to look back and remember.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry has helped soothe my soul! Absolutely beautiful and a collection I know I will visit time and again 💕

[Heather Caddigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real. Relatable. Kind of what I needed right now. Also a lot of good poems to potentially teach kids about the positives of all this time in isolation.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll always regret not keeping a diary during the height of the pandemic. This collection of poetry is a beautiful reminder. Loved it.

[Lita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good and will most likely appeal to those who love poetry. I'm not one of those so I got bored about half-way through and had to take it in bits and pieces.