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The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak
The poems in The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak explore the many identities, both visible and invisible, that a body contains. With influences from pop culture, the Bible, tech, and Hong-Kongese history, these pieces reflect and reveal how the stories of immigrants in Canada hold both universal truths and singular distinctions. From boybands that show the way to become “the kind of girl a girl could love” to “rich flavours that are just a few generations of poverty away,” they invite the reader to meditate on spirituality, food, and the shapes love takes.
90 pages, ebook
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 29, 2021
The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak is a gorgeous debut poetry collection from Grace Lau that I fell in love with from the first page! Lau tackles a complex array of subjects including race, religion, queerness, immigration and capitalism with such power and a clever use of the poem's structure. Though I am not an avid reader of poetry, and I have spent many years searching for some that resonates with me, this was an absolute joy to read and a collection that I will definitely be returning to years in the future!
Thanks to Netgalley and Guernica Editions for an eARC copy in return for an honest review!
Thanks to Netgalley and Guernica Editions for an eARC copy in return for an honest review!
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June 24, 2022Grace Lau, get out of my head!!! 😭
“My father likes telling me about the /
good old days. He has been mourning /
the future /
for the last twenty years.
“My father likes telling me about the /
good old days. He has been mourning /
the future /
for the last twenty years.
May 27, 2021
This is a poetry collection about living as an LGBTQ Asian in Canada. Grace Lau has a clear, vibrant voice that sucked me right in. These were very readable and relatable. Even if you aren't Asian there is something in this collection to connect to. There are tons of pop culture references...boy bands, food and more. The poems were fresh and bright but still had a sharp eye towards society. It is a great read for AAPI month or any time of year.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
March 19, 2021
This poetry collection delves into the intersecting themes of faith, race, sexuality, capitalism, immigration, and family. Grace Lau, a first generation Chinese-Canadian poet, has chosen both deeply personal poems and poignant social commentary to make her debut. The results are engrossing.
I was specially moved by the stunning juxtaposition of Lau's grief over not being able to repay her family's sacrifice, and her pain over her family's rejection of queerness. The complexity of these feelings is perfectly captured in "My Grief Is a Winter'. Other notable poems include "Solidarity", "Pedicure at Pinky's", and "I've Hung Dead Flowers".
Grace Lau's collection is beautifully crafted to illustrate the richness, joys, and burdens of her intersecting identities. This debut is well worth it and highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Guernica Editions for granting me early access to this book.
I was specially moved by the stunning juxtaposition of Lau's grief over not being able to repay her family's sacrifice, and her pain over her family's rejection of queerness. The complexity of these feelings is perfectly captured in "My Grief Is a Winter'. Other notable poems include "Solidarity", "Pedicure at Pinky's", and "I've Hung Dead Flowers".
Grace Lau's collection is beautifully crafted to illustrate the richness, joys, and burdens of her intersecting identities. This debut is well worth it and highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Guernica Editions for granting me early access to this book.
May 16, 2021
First of all, I want to say thank you to the author Grace Lau, Guernica Editions and NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book talks about a lot of important things that do need more worldwide attention. It talks about racism, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, between other topics.
The first thing that caught my attention when I first spotted this book was the cover, which is so beautiful. I fell in love with it right that moment. And then, I read the description, and fell in love twice. I knew I needed that book so I requested it. I can't be more grateful for having being granted with it. I loved it!
It is a raw and vulnerable, honest, book. The author takes their trauma and turns it into art. Their words are so clear, direct, and poetic. The author writes with their soul and heart in their hands, with every scar, every wound open for us to look at it.
I have so many favourite poems, but if I have to choose only one it'd be 'My Body Is a Vessel'. It's so well poetically written.
"for the sun
and for a home
for the salt
air, buried in concrete
and dust, and risen
again—
[...] "
The author also talks about family, about their China heritage, their inner struggles. It is about showing hurt, about deep pain, deep inner struggles with ourselves.
The Language We Were Never Taught To Speak came out on 1st May 2021, so what are you waiting for? I'm sure you'll love this book! Here are the links: Amazon, Guernica Editions.
#TheLanguageWeWereNeverTaughtToSpeak #NetGalley #GuernicaEditions #GraceLau
This book talks about a lot of important things that do need more worldwide attention. It talks about racism, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, between other topics.
The first thing that caught my attention when I first spotted this book was the cover, which is so beautiful. I fell in love with it right that moment. And then, I read the description, and fell in love twice. I knew I needed that book so I requested it. I can't be more grateful for having being granted with it. I loved it!
It is a raw and vulnerable, honest, book. The author takes their trauma and turns it into art. Their words are so clear, direct, and poetic. The author writes with their soul and heart in their hands, with every scar, every wound open for us to look at it.
I have so many favourite poems, but if I have to choose only one it'd be 'My Body Is a Vessel'. It's so well poetically written.
"for the sun
and for a home
for the salt
air, buried in concrete
and dust, and risen
again—
[...] "
The author also talks about family, about their China heritage, their inner struggles. It is about showing hurt, about deep pain, deep inner struggles with ourselves.
The Language We Were Never Taught To Speak came out on 1st May 2021, so what are you waiting for? I'm sure you'll love this book! Here are the links: Amazon, Guernica Editions.
#TheLanguageWeWereNeverTaughtToSpeak #NetGalley #GuernicaEditions #GraceLau
March 18, 2021
I really wanted to love this one but unfortunately, it did not bring out the emotions I was expecting.
First off, the collection of poems begins with RuPaul's drag show which 1. I do not care for, 2. I could not see the relevance of it in this collection., 3. for a first poem, and therefore a first impression it did not spark any emotion.
This is a debut poem collection by Chinese -Canadian Grace Lau living in Toronto. Her whole collection is among others, about queerness, acceptance, being in the closet, family, immigration, food memories and love. But some pieces that were dealing with completely different themes such as God and spirituality threw me off completely and I think did not do the overall collection any good.
What I did enjoy, however, was the one prose that was found in this collection, which was both poignant and ironic; just enough to spark my interest. I think I would have wished to see more of this. I talk about the 21st-century hustle culture. Other pieces that stood out for me from the rest were: The Lies That Bind, At Your Best, My GRief is a Winter, and My Body is a Vessel.
Final note: the Chinese words would be have been nicer to be explained in a footnote on the same page instead of at the end of the book.
First off, the collection of poems begins with RuPaul's drag show which 1. I do not care for, 2. I could not see the relevance of it in this collection., 3. for a first poem, and therefore a first impression it did not spark any emotion.
This is a debut poem collection by Chinese -Canadian Grace Lau living in Toronto. Her whole collection is among others, about queerness, acceptance, being in the closet, family, immigration, food memories and love. But some pieces that were dealing with completely different themes such as God and spirituality threw me off completely and I think did not do the overall collection any good.
What I did enjoy, however, was the one prose that was found in this collection, which was both poignant and ironic; just enough to spark my interest. I think I would have wished to see more of this. I talk about the 21st-century hustle culture. Other pieces that stood out for me from the rest were: The Lies That Bind, At Your Best, My GRief is a Winter, and My Body is a Vessel.
Final note: the Chinese words would be have been nicer to be explained in a footnote on the same page instead of at the end of the book.
March 10, 2021
(4.5 stars)
The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak by Grace Lau (ARC provided by NetGalley and Guernica Editions) is a wonderful poetry collection that explores many intersections of identity while also being a love letter to the society that shapes us outside of who we are. The short length both of the individual poems and the collection as a whole made this very digestable and enjoyable. The writing was enjoyable and fresh, unlike other poetry collections which can be clunky or hard to read. I particularly enjoyed how Lau discussed religion and cultural identities (especially in conjunction with queerness) and her take on Killing Eve.
The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak by Grace Lau (ARC provided by NetGalley and Guernica Editions) is a wonderful poetry collection that explores many intersections of identity while also being a love letter to the society that shapes us outside of who we are. The short length both of the individual poems and the collection as a whole made this very digestable and enjoyable. The writing was enjoyable and fresh, unlike other poetry collections which can be clunky or hard to read. I particularly enjoyed how Lau discussed religion and cultural identities (especially in conjunction with queerness) and her take on Killing Eve.
June 4, 2022
This was my first voluntary foray into poetry, and I’m glad it was my first experience. Lau’s many modern references made this easier for me to read and comprehend, especially since I do not know how to read poetry well yet. I also appreciated her exploration of her life experiences, ranging from growing up Asian-Canadian, LGBTQ, her faith, love, and even her vacations. I will definitely continue to re-read her poems to truly understand their meaning. At some point I’ll come back with an update on my favorite poems from the collection.
March 20, 2021
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.
This is a really nice book about the author's life. It revolves around a Chinese family of immigrants living in Canada, as well as the LGBTQIA+ community. I've read it in a morning. If you're looking for a short and easy book to read and good poetry, this is the one for you. Rating: 3/5 stars.
This is a really nice book about the author's life. It revolves around a Chinese family of immigrants living in Canada, as well as the LGBTQIA+ community. I've read it in a morning. If you're looking for a short and easy book to read and good poetry, this is the one for you. Rating: 3/5 stars.
February 7, 2022
Grace Lau has a beautiful way with words. Being raised by immigrants in Toronto, Ontario, I related to a lot of her poems and found myself transported back in time, reliving the very same moments she wrote about. This is one of my favourite poetry books I’ve ever read.
May 25, 2025
Feisty, spiritedly wrestling with having a religious family that immigrated from Hong Kong, and with being a queer Canadian poet.
September 11, 2025
“is it a greater sin to sin or to write about the face of sin and make it beautiful?”
such a beautiful poetry collection :)
such a beautiful poetry collection :)
February 16, 2023
So good!!
May 4, 2021
A beautiful collection of poems from debut poet Grace Lau that dive into the intersection of queer and immigrant life in Canada. So may topics explored including family, capitalism, shame, love, guilt and expectation, all told from a place of honesty and vulnerability.
As a Canadian with a Chinese-immigrant husband, much of what I read in this collection struck a chord and felt achingly close to many of the stories, memories, and partial insights I’ve collected from him over the years.
A few standout lines:
Nothing and nobody has fought for me like my body has. / How dare anyone tell me not to lovedefendsavour my body.
My grief is summer-born. We celebrate it every year when my parents see the pride parade dance across the TV and ask “What do those people have to be proud of?”
Drunk thought: really good pho changes you, man. / We have always eaten what the dead gave us. This is the language of care we were never taught to speak.
Sometimes an immigrant family has to create its own vocabulary for apology: rows of sushi rolls bursting / I’m sorry I lost my temper. Soup with ginseng. I’m sorry. Winter melon. I’m sorry.
For a time I went to bed dreaming of boys - / They were the perfect blueprint for a little girl who longed to be a teenage heartthrob, the kind of girl a girl could love.
I call my plants my children and give them either a drowning or a drought; it is never just right. Now, I understand the flowering of my parents’ pain when they tried pouring love into me.
*I received this ARC from Netgalley and Guernica Editions in exchange for an honest review.
As a Canadian with a Chinese-immigrant husband, much of what I read in this collection struck a chord and felt achingly close to many of the stories, memories, and partial insights I’ve collected from him over the years.
A few standout lines:
Nothing and nobody has fought for me like my body has. / How dare anyone tell me not to lovedefendsavour my body.
My grief is summer-born. We celebrate it every year when my parents see the pride parade dance across the TV and ask “What do those people have to be proud of?”
Drunk thought: really good pho changes you, man. / We have always eaten what the dead gave us. This is the language of care we were never taught to speak.
Sometimes an immigrant family has to create its own vocabulary for apology: rows of sushi rolls bursting / I’m sorry I lost my temper. Soup with ginseng. I’m sorry. Winter melon. I’m sorry.
For a time I went to bed dreaming of boys - / They were the perfect blueprint for a little girl who longed to be a teenage heartthrob, the kind of girl a girl could love.
I call my plants my children and give them either a drowning or a drought; it is never just right. Now, I understand the flowering of my parents’ pain when they tried pouring love into me.
*I received this ARC from Netgalley and Guernica Editions in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2021
I received an eARC copy from Guernica Editions via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating 3.5
A beautiful poetry collection that touches upon various sensitive topics immigrants face when moving abroad. We see different elements of the troubles each immigrant faces: shame, misunderstanding, expectations, rejection. Adding queerness, religion, and race to this mixture produced a very moving autobiographical poetic memoir. All of this accentuates the powerful and emotional expressiveness we notice between the lines in this collection.
The writing is exquisite, placing the words at the right spot, expressing the complexity of the feelings and emotions that resulted from great sacrifices.
However, not all the poems felt as powerful. Some of them gave me a misplaced feeling, like an odd disjoined family member. Some of the verses were difficult to understand and, even after reading them a few times, I still did not connect with the words nor felt the emotions or had the understanding I ought to.
Praise to the beautiful cover! It somehow encapsulates the homesickness and nostalgia with new worlds, people, new challenges and misunderstandings. In combination with this poetry collection's title, it speaks volumes.
Actual rating 3.5
A beautiful poetry collection that touches upon various sensitive topics immigrants face when moving abroad. We see different elements of the troubles each immigrant faces: shame, misunderstanding, expectations, rejection. Adding queerness, religion, and race to this mixture produced a very moving autobiographical poetic memoir. All of this accentuates the powerful and emotional expressiveness we notice between the lines in this collection.
The writing is exquisite, placing the words at the right spot, expressing the complexity of the feelings and emotions that resulted from great sacrifices.
The Next Time You Scold My Body
Nothing
and nobody has fought for me
like my body has, against stomach flus and rulers,
the honesty
of open palms,
my body, my protector,
my body, faultless
witness to nightweeps
and skinned knees, secrets
hidden between sleep's sheets.
My body remembers
every war
fought on the too-dark fields
of my skin, every
little death.
My body,
truthful loyal
insistent upon my existance,
howling light.
I am here.
My Grief is a Winter
.
.
.
In Chinese, sadness is a wounded heart. I wish grief
would visit
my liver instead. I should love myself
more. I should drink less.
My lover tells me to love
myself more. My mother tells me to love God
more than this,
but love has always been the mother
of my grief.
.
.
.
Red Lips
Tell me a secret
your lips keep
in these sweet and sticky
sunset streets. I've come
to you in solitude, ungodly
nostalgia, ultra
drunk on your Holywood smile,
your starlet nights. I came to see
what the fallen look like
under the Melrose lights.
I found them dancing
on The Abbey's tables,
I've seen them in Venice
handing out CDs and divinities
that would make God jealous.
Does heaven ever feel lonely?
Oh won't you tell me
the secrets these red lips keep —
However, not all the poems felt as powerful. Some of them gave me a misplaced feeling, like an odd disjoined family member. Some of the verses were difficult to understand and, even after reading them a few times, I still did not connect with the words nor felt the emotions or had the understanding I ought to.
Praise to the beautiful cover! It somehow encapsulates the homesickness and nostalgia with new worlds, people, new challenges and misunderstandings. In combination with this poetry collection's title, it speaks volumes.
August 6, 2021
This book was given to me by Netgalley for an honest review.
This book was a lovely collection of poems that I was able to relate to in the sense that I always felt both disconnected and split between my own heritage of being Mexican American as the author does with being Chinese Canadian, with various themes ranging from keeping tradition, lgbt, pop culture, issues with racism, immigration, and so much more,. I took many classes about Chinese and Asian history in general, which added to my understanding as I read and analyzed these poems. Some of the Chinese phrases (and even characters) were a bit hard to understand at times; once in a while I did end up googling something just because I wanted to be certain I understood a section or the meaning correctly. I have a few Asian American friends who I shared a few passages of poems with and they felt like they could immediately connect to them. It even made some of them sad.
I think the line I enjoyed most from the book, which was from the poem "3am Communion" : the richest flavours are just a few generations of poverty away. We have always eaten what the dead gave us. This is the language of care we were never taught to speak." To me, this line made me think about my own cultural soup that I was always fed growing up. It was a dish of my grandmother who fed me this whenever I was feeling down or when I needed a pick me up. Even now if I make it for myself, and I think about the past when she made it for me without even asking if I wanted it. It was just there waiting for me and I felt at peace. And further into the same poem, the line, "we are talking about food --- And cultures are for eating." This line really made me think further about how culture is viewed in society today. I could find nothing untrue in that line. People today still don't accept other cultures as they should, but many will gladly eat their food. It was definitely a shocking line that made me think!
I thoroughly enjoyed these poems and would love to read more by this author and of other authors with similar stories to tell like these did. I would definitely buy this book for friends!
This book was a lovely collection of poems that I was able to relate to in the sense that I always felt both disconnected and split between my own heritage of being Mexican American as the author does with being Chinese Canadian, with various themes ranging from keeping tradition, lgbt, pop culture, issues with racism, immigration, and so much more,. I took many classes about Chinese and Asian history in general, which added to my understanding as I read and analyzed these poems. Some of the Chinese phrases (and even characters) were a bit hard to understand at times; once in a while I did end up googling something just because I wanted to be certain I understood a section or the meaning correctly. I have a few Asian American friends who I shared a few passages of poems with and they felt like they could immediately connect to them. It even made some of them sad.
I think the line I enjoyed most from the book, which was from the poem "3am Communion" : the richest flavours are just a few generations of poverty away. We have always eaten what the dead gave us. This is the language of care we were never taught to speak." To me, this line made me think about my own cultural soup that I was always fed growing up. It was a dish of my grandmother who fed me this whenever I was feeling down or when I needed a pick me up. Even now if I make it for myself, and I think about the past when she made it for me without even asking if I wanted it. It was just there waiting for me and I felt at peace. And further into the same poem, the line, "we are talking about food --- And cultures are for eating." This line really made me think further about how culture is viewed in society today. I could find nothing untrue in that line. People today still don't accept other cultures as they should, but many will gladly eat their food. It was definitely a shocking line that made me think!
I thoroughly enjoyed these poems and would love to read more by this author and of other authors with similar stories to tell like these did. I would definitely buy this book for friends!
February 18, 2021
"We have always eaten
what the dead gave us. This is the language of care
we were never taught to speak."
The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak by Grace Lau has ~72 pages of autobiographical poems touching on religion, race and immigration, sexuality, and hustle culture. The poems are polished, funny, and emotional (The writing is raw without being self-indulgent or cheesy). Lau uses the page space creatively to direct the reader's eye and pacing by combining words and adding dashes and slashes:
"lovedefendsavour"
"lull
-aby"
"soft / blue"
"Mac-Don-ald's"
"stepmotherland"
Lau's title are playful without distracting from the emotional intensity of the work. Some of my favorite parts:
From "In a Silicon Valley Coffee Shop, Elon, Mark, and Jeff Talk about Their Dreams" (from the perspective of corporation owners):
"Let our restless fingers grope a path to new net worths--
our reach will grow long
across the oceans'
yielding bodies
and once we have finished
there will be Mars--"
From "3 a.m. Communion:"
"when we say Canada is a multicultural country
we don't mean that everyone is equal
before the law,
or that every God is welcome.
We're talking about food--
and cultures are for eating."
From "Oscar Wilde's Last Prayer:"
"Is it a greater sin
to sin or to write
about the face of sin
and make it beautiful.
If love dare not speak
its name then let it sing."
*I received an electronic ARC from Net Galley to review. The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak is set to release May 1st 2021.*
what the dead gave us. This is the language of care
we were never taught to speak."
The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak by Grace Lau has ~72 pages of autobiographical poems touching on religion, race and immigration, sexuality, and hustle culture. The poems are polished, funny, and emotional (The writing is raw without being self-indulgent or cheesy). Lau uses the page space creatively to direct the reader's eye and pacing by combining words and adding dashes and slashes:
"lovedefendsavour"
"lull
-aby"
"soft / blue"
"Mac-Don-ald's"
"stepmotherland"
Lau's title are playful without distracting from the emotional intensity of the work. Some of my favorite parts:
From "In a Silicon Valley Coffee Shop, Elon, Mark, and Jeff Talk about Their Dreams" (from the perspective of corporation owners):
"Let our restless fingers grope a path to new net worths--
our reach will grow long
across the oceans'
yielding bodies
and once we have finished
there will be Mars--"
From "3 a.m. Communion:"
"when we say Canada is a multicultural country
we don't mean that everyone is equal
before the law,
or that every God is welcome.
We're talking about food--
and cultures are for eating."
From "Oscar Wilde's Last Prayer:"
"Is it a greater sin
to sin or to write
about the face of sin
and make it beautiful.
If love dare not speak
its name then let it sing."
*I received an electronic ARC from Net Galley to review. The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak is set to release May 1st 2021.*
May 19, 2021
A huge thank you to netgalley, author Grace Lau and publisher for granting me a free ecopy in exchange for my honest review of this little gem.
The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak is a collection of poetry that pulls inspiration from topics such as The Bible, pop culture, personal history, among others, in order to paint a hauntingly beautiful picture of various aspects of the LGBTQ community, immigration, Racism to name a few.
The author writes with such clarity, her prose flowing naturally within itself and beauty to paint a distinct image that the reader can not turn away from, nor deny. The pain, humiliation, and awkwardness is felt down to the bone because its written from the soul; the way poetry should be written.
My favorite excerpt is as follows:
The Next Time You Scold My Body
Nothing
and nobody has fought for me
like my body has, against stomach flus and rulers,
the honesty
of open palms,
my body, my protector,
my body, faultless
witness to nightweeps
and skinned knees, secrets
hidden between sleep's sheets.
I'm not sure that any reader could honestly say they don't feel moved by that in some way, and the best part is the whole book is like this.
Do not let this one slip past you. As for Grace Lau all I can say is without a doubt one to watch. I will be following and waiting to pounce on anything that may be coming.
The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak is a collection of poetry that pulls inspiration from topics such as The Bible, pop culture, personal history, among others, in order to paint a hauntingly beautiful picture of various aspects of the LGBTQ community, immigration, Racism to name a few.
The author writes with such clarity, her prose flowing naturally within itself and beauty to paint a distinct image that the reader can not turn away from, nor deny. The pain, humiliation, and awkwardness is felt down to the bone because its written from the soul; the way poetry should be written.
My favorite excerpt is as follows:
The Next Time You Scold My Body
Nothing
and nobody has fought for me
like my body has, against stomach flus and rulers,
the honesty
of open palms,
my body, my protector,
my body, faultless
witness to nightweeps
and skinned knees, secrets
hidden between sleep's sheets.
I'm not sure that any reader could honestly say they don't feel moved by that in some way, and the best part is the whole book is like this.
Do not let this one slip past you. As for Grace Lau all I can say is without a doubt one to watch. I will be following and waiting to pounce on anything that may be coming.
April 14, 2021
Received from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
TW. For homophobia, racism, dementia, (I interpreted transphobia), religious bigotry, abuse.
First of all, the writing is beautiful. It is absolutely exquisite. I found so many words and sentences that I wanted to remember and/or hang in my house. Incredibly beautiful. I love how there were a mix of styles; mainly poems, but also lists, and compositions.
Second of all, while this is very short, I found it very, very impactful. I think I cried like 4 different times. Some of the poems were hard hitting, some of them felt perfectly personal go me, others were emotional and you could feel the emotions in the writing.
My favourites are: At Your Best, In the Name of Love, My Grief is a Winter, My Grandmother's Wallpaper, Into the Spell, and my personal favourite (because it felt like the perfect timing for me, and I had to read it three times, and I cried the most over this one) is Common Salt.
There were themes and words and phrases here that hit me hard, caused me to cry, to gasp, to feel heartache. I had to reread sections they were so beautiful and emotional and yet heartrenching too. Amazing.
I will definitely be buying myself a hardcopy and going through it adamantly.
TW. For homophobia, racism, dementia, (I interpreted transphobia), religious bigotry, abuse.
First of all, the writing is beautiful. It is absolutely exquisite. I found so many words and sentences that I wanted to remember and/or hang in my house. Incredibly beautiful. I love how there were a mix of styles; mainly poems, but also lists, and compositions.
Second of all, while this is very short, I found it very, very impactful. I think I cried like 4 different times. Some of the poems were hard hitting, some of them felt perfectly personal go me, others were emotional and you could feel the emotions in the writing.
My favourites are: At Your Best, In the Name of Love, My Grief is a Winter, My Grandmother's Wallpaper, Into the Spell, and my personal favourite (because it felt like the perfect timing for me, and I had to read it three times, and I cried the most over this one) is Common Salt.
There were themes and words and phrases here that hit me hard, caused me to cry, to gasp, to feel heartache. I had to reread sections they were so beautiful and emotional and yet heartrenching too. Amazing.
I will definitely be buying myself a hardcopy and going through it adamantly.
March 13, 2021
Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
"The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak" is honestly one of the best poetry collections I have read. I'm not the biggest fan of poetry, so I tend to avoid it (something I'm working on since I do study literature) but the cover really spoke to me for this one.
The poems discussed a lot of issues about gender, culture, sexuality as well as discussing how they intersect and it was done in a way that left me speechless and going back and rereading it to try to memorize the words. A lot of the poems in relation to family also impacted me a lot and reminded me of my own (Mexican) culture despite the author and I not being of the same culture, which just shows the similarities and connections across a variety of cultures that doesn't get discussed nearly enough.
If you're looking for something that shows the complexities of us as children, as humans, as members of our various groups (or maybe just a poetry collection with an amazing flow), I 100% recommend picking this book up.
"The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak" is honestly one of the best poetry collections I have read. I'm not the biggest fan of poetry, so I tend to avoid it (something I'm working on since I do study literature) but the cover really spoke to me for this one.
The poems discussed a lot of issues about gender, culture, sexuality as well as discussing how they intersect and it was done in a way that left me speechless and going back and rereading it to try to memorize the words. A lot of the poems in relation to family also impacted me a lot and reminded me of my own (Mexican) culture despite the author and I not being of the same culture, which just shows the similarities and connections across a variety of cultures that doesn't get discussed nearly enough.
If you're looking for something that shows the complexities of us as children, as humans, as members of our various groups (or maybe just a poetry collection with an amazing flow), I 100% recommend picking this book up.
April 29, 2021
Grace Lau's debut The Language We Were Never Taught to Speak is not just poetry. It's poetry that's grounded in vulnerability, reality and poignant truth. It's raw, honest and still ever so beautiful.
It's not afraid to freely explore identity, immigration, capitalism, youth, culture and society among others. It dives deep into your emotions and settles in the corners of your memory.
There's no empty space and no words written in vain. It's not pretentious or loud, it doesn't make promises that it can't keep. Lau's poetry is inspiring even when it doesn't intend to be, and it's heart-opening even when you clutch to your feelings, refusing to let go.
If you appreciate poetry that is courageous, bold and liberating, this is the collection for you.
I have kindly received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Guernica Editions in exchange of a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It's not afraid to freely explore identity, immigration, capitalism, youth, culture and society among others. It dives deep into your emotions and settles in the corners of your memory.
There's no empty space and no words written in vain. It's not pretentious or loud, it doesn't make promises that it can't keep. Lau's poetry is inspiring even when it doesn't intend to be, and it's heart-opening even when you clutch to your feelings, refusing to let go.
If you appreciate poetry that is courageous, bold and liberating, this is the collection for you.
I have kindly received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Guernica Editions in exchange of a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 12, 2021
I received an eARC copy to read in exchange for an honest review and I am extremely excited to share my feels with the rest of the reading world on this one!
I have written poetry since I was a little girl. I have never submitted any writings to anyone in particular (maybe a secret blog or two....ahem) but other than that all poems have only been spoken to the moon and then released. So keep that in mind when reading this review.
From the very start Grace Lau had my attention! That first entry, “When Yuhua Hamasaki Went Home” had me at HELLO HUNTY! This collection of writings was so filled with honesty, compassion, and just genuine and raw emotion. I am so thankful to have read this. I cannot pretend to know what individuals of the LGBTQIA community go through now or in their formative years, however, these writings gave me somewhat of a glimpse in that window and I am thankful for that and the honesty. You will forever have my support, respect and love.
Thank you Grace. ❤️
I have written poetry since I was a little girl. I have never submitted any writings to anyone in particular (maybe a secret blog or two....ahem) but other than that all poems have only been spoken to the moon and then released. So keep that in mind when reading this review.
From the very start Grace Lau had my attention! That first entry, “When Yuhua Hamasaki Went Home” had me at HELLO HUNTY! This collection of writings was so filled with honesty, compassion, and just genuine and raw emotion. I am so thankful to have read this. I cannot pretend to know what individuals of the LGBTQIA community go through now or in their formative years, however, these writings gave me somewhat of a glimpse in that window and I am thankful for that and the honesty. You will forever have my support, respect and love.
Thank you Grace. ❤️
December 25, 2022
Favorite poems: “In the Name of Love,” “The Look of Love, as Seen by Eve Polastri,” “The Levity,” “Escape Artist”
Received this book as a Christmas gift from my step sister, Rochelle. As a Cantonese-American girl, I related to a lot of poems and scenarios presented within this collection. In particular, I like the way that mother/daughter relationships were illustrated. Often times, we know that mothers mean the best, and are trying their best, but there is a miscommunication.
As someone who is also questioning, this poetry book helped me somewhat navigate that situation. What does it mean to be an immigrants child? What does it mean to be a queer Asian American? What is hunger in a physical, spiritual, and metaphorical sense?
Very excited by the writing of Grace Lau, and there were so many poems that were *almost* so good… but sometimes the wording can feel a little too abstract, or the images do not properly connect together to form a connection through the poem.
3.5/5 stars
Received this book as a Christmas gift from my step sister, Rochelle. As a Cantonese-American girl, I related to a lot of poems and scenarios presented within this collection. In particular, I like the way that mother/daughter relationships were illustrated. Often times, we know that mothers mean the best, and are trying their best, but there is a miscommunication.
As someone who is also questioning, this poetry book helped me somewhat navigate that situation. What does it mean to be an immigrants child? What does it mean to be a queer Asian American? What is hunger in a physical, spiritual, and metaphorical sense?
Very excited by the writing of Grace Lau, and there were so many poems that were *almost* so good… but sometimes the wording can feel a little too abstract, or the images do not properly connect together to form a connection through the poem.
3.5/5 stars
February 27, 2021
This is such humourous and touching debut poetry collection (I find some collection very humorous).
The poems focuses on culture, sexuality and religion more which I can relate to. I love how the author doesn't try to be flowery or poetic to have the phrases and message be more of a wow factor but instead presented it in a straightforward and humorous way which I find really impressive.
The writing is really good, it was easy to read and at the same time indulging and page turning.
I just love how the flow doesn't stop and keeps me more indulged with every punch of the poems.
This is such a good read. Highly recommended.
Thank you netgally for approving me.
The poems focuses on culture, sexuality and religion more which I can relate to. I love how the author doesn't try to be flowery or poetic to have the phrases and message be more of a wow factor but instead presented it in a straightforward and humorous way which I find really impressive.
The writing is really good, it was easy to read and at the same time indulging and page turning.
I just love how the flow doesn't stop and keeps me more indulged with every punch of the poems.
This is such a good read. Highly recommended.
Thank you netgally for approving me.
March 1, 2021
Wow!! This was a fabulous collection of poems and prose exploring a wide range of issues. I especially liked the poems that dealt with an analysis of religion because it is something that I both struggle and resonate with. As the daughter of an immigrant, many of the verses regarding a transfer of culture also stuck with me. I do not have Asian heritage, but many of the topics discussed regarding a struggle with culture in America still applied to my heritage. There really was a fantastic mix of poems regarding religion, culture, and sexuality, and I could not recommend this more.
E- pub received from Net Galley in return for a review
E- pub received from Net Galley in return for a review
March 13, 2021
8,50 on CAWPILE
The publisher kindly provided me with an arc through netgalley.
This was a lovely autobiographical poetry collection with a variety of different topics such as race, sexuality, culture and religion. I felt this collection was very straightforward and honest and it didn't try to be flowy or whimsical which a lot of poetry does.
It kept me turning the pages and intrigued and it was just a really lovely read. Would highly recommend also for people who don't generally enjoy poetry.
The publisher kindly provided me with an arc through netgalley.
This was a lovely autobiographical poetry collection with a variety of different topics such as race, sexuality, culture and religion. I felt this collection was very straightforward and honest and it didn't try to be flowy or whimsical which a lot of poetry does.
It kept me turning the pages and intrigued and it was just a really lovely read. Would highly recommend also for people who don't generally enjoy poetry.
April 1, 2021
I usually don’t enjoy reading poetry but this book opened my eyes to how beautiful it can be. This book is a collection of poems by Grace Lau covering multiple different topics.
The writing was absolutely beautiful and it felt close to home in some of the poems. As soon as I read the title, I instantly fell in love with this book and after reading I can proudly say that my love has only grown!
Thank you so much Netgalley for giving me this arc in exchange for an honest review!
#TheLanguageWeWereNeverTaughttoSpeak #NetGalley
The writing was absolutely beautiful and it felt close to home in some of the poems. As soon as I read the title, I instantly fell in love with this book and after reading I can proudly say that my love has only grown!
Thank you so much Netgalley for giving me this arc in exchange for an honest review!
#TheLanguageWeWereNeverTaughttoSpeak #NetGalley
July 16, 2022
An achingly beautiful collection addressing what it is to be a queer child of a Christian minister, to be an immigrant in North America, to navigate cultural appropriation of your Chinese heritage within the LGBTQ community, to navigate being true to oneself and yet trying to honor grandparents and ancestors with different values--and all with such beautiful, beautiful, language.
This is the kind of poetry that makes you rethink any thoughts you ever had of being a poet, because you know you can't approximate this kind of beauty.
This is the kind of poetry that makes you rethink any thoughts you ever had of being a poet, because you know you can't approximate this kind of beauty.
April 26, 2024
A collection of poems about identity, language, family, trauma, and love.
from When Yuhua Hamasaki Went Home: "Chinese girls are good, / Chinese girls are submissive, / Chinese girls will do your taxes / and fill your prescriptions / because survival doesn't always / look like / a war."
from Sparks: "One puppy photo / plus tow days between messages / divided by three years since my last / relationship—it's complicated / math for seduction."
from Going Home: "The thing with returning to a home / that exists only in your mind: / your body gradually forgetting what home feels like."
from When Yuhua Hamasaki Went Home: "Chinese girls are good, / Chinese girls are submissive, / Chinese girls will do your taxes / and fill your prescriptions / because survival doesn't always / look like / a war."
from Sparks: "One puppy photo / plus tow days between messages / divided by three years since my last / relationship—it's complicated / math for seduction."
from Going Home: "The thing with returning to a home / that exists only in your mind: / your body gradually forgetting what home feels like."
February 19, 2021
Great poems and thoughts, I liked reading about “Hustle Culture,” “The Next Time You Scold My Body,” and loved how Eve Polastri came up!
Notable lines:
“ . . . because survival doesn’t always / look like / a war.”
“maybe it’s no stranger than how we take / the names of those who bruise us / husbands / fathers / Nanjing / maybe it’s no stranger than men saying / konichiwa / to me almost everywhere I go.”
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC!
Notable lines:
“ . . . because survival doesn’t always / look like / a war.”
“maybe it’s no stranger than how we take / the names of those who bruise us / husbands / fathers / Nanjing / maybe it’s no stranger than men saying / konichiwa / to me almost everywhere I go.”
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC!
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