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the words of a madman: by caitlin kelly

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this book is about being real. being broken. being happy. being sad. being anxious. being in love. being depressed. and overall being human.

176 pages, Paperback

Published April 5, 2018

87 people are currently reading
747 people want to read

About the author

Caitlin Kelly

239 books25 followers

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5 stars
106 (33%)
4 stars
85 (27%)
3 stars
86 (27%)
2 stars
22 (7%)
1 star
15 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Micaa Cambra.
86 reviews39 followers
August 31, 2023
you know you've lost your will to live when you don't walk on the sidewalk anymore and you don't look before crossing the road 💔
Profile Image for A.J. McMahon.
Author 1 book30 followers
December 1, 2022
Got this because it was one of the top selling Amazon poetry books. However, this isn't what we think of as "real" poetry with poetry techniques and rhyming and alliteration and rhyme patterns like Shakespearean sonnets and stuff.

It read more like a teenage girl's thoughts as in her diary but more probably sanitised somewhat for public viewing.

The topics she touches on are depression, love and loss, best friends, and essentially teenage love. She seems to convey that the person you need to rely on is yourself and nobody will love or like you due to your depression - unless it is your best friend.

There could have been better stories behind each chapters. Also, there could have been better development of the poems, since they read like diary entries or night thoughts of a teenage girl.

I did like the photos that she put throughout the book. It made it more artsy, and helped develop the story and intrigue that the reader has for the book.

All my reviews are available at: www.flyintobooks.com
Profile Image for Sophia.
19 reviews1 follower
January 19, 2022
Read this on the kindle app on my phone.
The formatting was painful(may have just been because I read it on my phone though).
It was difficult to read. And not much depth to the poems, except that they seemed like the regular thoughts most people have in late night overthinking hours. Quick read, but Not worth the read
Profile Image for Ntalani M.
8 reviews
May 29, 2023
I love reading Caitlin’s books because of the relatability. I use them as vent books because the poems evoke so much emotion that I am able to write about. When you don’t want to talk about your problems, I recommend picking up one of Caitlin Kelly’s books, reading the poems and writing your feelings to the poems. Even if you don’t directly relate to what she’s writing about, I promise you the emotions she’s speaking about can relate to a similar emotion you have felt.
Profile Image for Jenna.
12 reviews
November 23, 2022
Read this if you like angsty teenager poetry. If you don’t, you’ll hate this. The only positive thing I found about this book was how quick it was over. I wish the chapters including relationships were longer. Everything else has been said before many times in poetry. I wish I could give it a 2 or 3 but the writing made me physically cringe when reading it.
1 review
December 12, 2021
Its pretty good!

I love how descriptive she is and I think she hit all the feelings of depression, anxiety and love all right on the head but there could have been more to the story.
Profile Image for ayareadz.
63 reviews
September 4, 2023
the two stars are solely for this poem:

if you don't feel comfortable touching her purse without permission
then you shouldn't feel comfortable touching her body without permission


no means no
Profile Image for Claudia.
27 reviews
November 30, 2025
It was weird, but not in a good way, I understand what the author meant, but somehow the words blurred my mind and I just couldn’t understand some sentences the way they were written and their meaning. It wasn’t for me, and it’s alright.
203 reviews
May 3, 2021
A raw, real book of poetry. Caitlin Kelly opens her heart and pours in onto the page. It’s not the best poetry but it’s so vulnerable and honest and relatable. I really enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Syeda.
130 reviews
December 22, 2021
It’s really good, I love how she covers anxiety and depression and it’s really relatable and I loved reading it
16 reviews
January 6, 2022
I really enjoyed the book and definitely recommend this if you enjoy reading poetry.
Profile Image for mariazinha !.
38 reviews
January 9, 2022
some poems just go straight up to where it hurst, but this book’s just really amazing i’m in tears
Profile Image for Steph.
52 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2022
Definitely recommend

I loved reading this, I have felt this way so many Times . I hope you continue of this life's journey as a writer.
Profile Image for Emmaa.
43 reviews
July 14, 2022
3.5 ⭐
Es la segunda vez que me lo leo y creo que como ahora mismo no me siento tan identificada con los poemas me ha gustado menos
Profile Image for KT.
95 reviews
August 13, 2022
Cant say it was amazing. Wouldnt necessarily call it poetry either? More like thoughts?
Absolutely a nightmare to read on kindle (on my phone).
Wasn't really worth the read for me :/
Profile Image for leo:).
54 reviews
May 7, 2023
gleiche Autorin wie von ´the words I wish I said´ also wenn einem das Buch gefällt auf jeden Fall auch dieses lesen, wieder dunkle aber relatable Gedanken zum Durchlesen
Profile Image for Sheneli Narangamuwa.
92 reviews
November 8, 2023
Such a raw and beautiful collection, the anxiety and depression parts are what got me the most.Loved this piece, The pictures was a nice touch in my pov.
Profile Image for Toni.
243 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2025
"Don't chase someone who walks away so easily"

I feel the words of Caitlin Kelly in each poems. Really like a madman, from the heartache, paint, joy, anger, and brokenness.
51 reviews
April 29, 2021
Eine nette Poesiesammlung. Ich konnte mich teilweise in die Autorin und das Geschriebene hineinversetzen, an anderen Stellen fiel mir das jedoch nicht so leicht. Alles in allem eine nette Lektüre.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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