Broken Nails

by Susan Snyder

Poetry has long been the language of rage. The disquiet ghosts of our own discomfort and paralyzing fear rising up in sometimes-broken verse to express itself in bellowed whispers. Splatterpunk nominee Susan Snyder's debut chapbook of poetry 'Broken Nails' is no exception to this, each poem overflowing with the emotional outpourings of a woman who has too often been told to paint herself in the veneer of societal femininity only to be beaten down and left with chipped paint and broken nails.

Genres: Poetry

37 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2020

Reviews

[DivaDiane SM · Rating 3 out of 5]

This chapbook was nominated for the 2021 Elgin Award.

These are powerful poems, of horror. Not my favorite genre, but your mileage may vary.

[Lisa Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Nails is a dark, brutal, beautiful horror poetry collection by Susan Snyder.
These poems are full of vivid, disturbing imagery and evocative, flowing composition. There are so many types of pain represented here, and so many levels of them: anger and rage, the anguish of despair, the ache of longing, frustration, regret, and even physical pain. These poems reach dark fingers into your heart and mind and draw forth the thoughts and emotions you keep hidden. I was entranced. Some are best read aloud. All will touch you in some way.

[Nikolas Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing I will say about Susan Snyder's Broken Nails is that it is far too short. You're reading--and often re-reading--the poems, getting drawn into the almost nightmarish world she's assembling with her words...and then it's the end.
It's over.
You're not ready for it to be over just yet.
As painful and raw as the experience was, you sort of want to continue exploring Susan's interior. She's ripped herself open for you and left herself exposed, but then it stops.
This poetry collection is separated into three sections, each with a certain overarching theme. The second section, Reflection, was my personal favorite. It was also the most horrific in a number of ways. It's sincerely a little bit painful as you allow the poet to paint you a portrait of a life that's included no small amount of suffering.
This is not poetry for those who are looking for flowery nonsense. This is poetry that examines topics like murder, sexual assault, suicide, and Satanism...and if you're interested in that, dive right in.

[John Baltisberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense, painful poetry that is raw and important.

[Ryan Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Nails by Susan Snyder knocked me on my ass. Snyder's poems are excellent. She delves into some dark places, but you'll be better for letting her take you through them.