Pangaea: Prose and Poetry

by Hinnah Mian

“if you wish to read 
the story of my people 
look no further 
than my body.” 

Pangaea is a collection of poetry about working through the trauma inflicted on a body, whether the trauma comes from a person, a country, or from within. It is the act of learning to be whole in a broken body, a broken world. It is a collection of tales told through generations of stories hidden beneath the skin. 

 

Genres: Poetry

128 pages, Paperback

Published February 8, 2022

About the author

Hinnah Mian is an award winning Pakistani-American poet and author of To Build A Home. Her debut book of poetry won the Silver Medal in Poetry in the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards 2018. She shares her work on @hennapoetry on Instagram.

Reviews

[peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

“if you wish to read the story of my people, look no further than my body”

I have to admit I have been stupidly skeptical when going into more recent contemporary poetry, in the age of Rupi Kaur style poems and the even less colorful tiktok verse. I will also admit I am far from a poetry expert, I have never written anything good in my life and have not even read as much as I want to. I also do not know how to rate poetry, but damn, this really was something.

In Pangea, Mian is exploring the nuances of trauma inflicted on a body, and she has composed a beautiful and hauntingly poignant look on race, relationships, and mental illness that is as personal as it is intense. This collection is filled with the abstract and the metaphorical without neglecting the more simple. I mean I really fell in love with Hinnah Mian’s use of language and if you’re like me you’ll find yourself rereading and screenshotting almost every poem here.

My only qualm is that occasionally the collection felt too close together, in the sense that some poems, no matter how fantastic they felt on their own, seemed like recreations of previous ones.

Overall I will definitely be returning to Hinnah Mian in the future! and I would recommend Pangea to any fan of poetry out there, new and old (but especially new).

“here, under the flesh of my heart, a man’s corpse has settled, decaying until it is one with my body’s system. I am still learning how to give a killer a proper burial.” / “some nights i am less of a person and more of the air, heavy and vulnerable, filling your lungs”

thanks to netgalley for the arc!

[Khyati Gautam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pangaea by Hinnah Mian is a soulful collection of prose and poetry that fills us with rage as we read about the effects of trauma inflicted on a human body. This trauma, which could be coming from a country, person or within, breaks an individual. However, there is always a way to be whole again. That’s what this collection teaches you – how to mend yourself beautifully.

The book starts with poems that have a person afraid of all the bomb attacks. Each piece clearly depicts the pain of an immigrant in America that bears grief, shame, and humiliation. The poems also have a person hurt and broken in love. And Hinnah’s words attempt to show brokenness is not final. Through the cracks, light enters to make us feel alive again.

I have ready poetry after a long time and I am glad that Pangaea was a rich collection for me to satiate my craving for lyrical words. The poems are absolutely raw and ooze the truest emotions of pain, hurt, and craving to be whole again. Hinnah’s honesty with this collection reflects the fact that she doesn’t shy away one bit from expressing herself completely.

How trauma shapes an individual could be seen in Hinnah’s words, how a nation and its inhabitants can impact the lives of immigrants is visible. How love that seems beautiful and wholesome but eventually shatters feels like. In between poems, the inclusion of prose gives us a better flavour of the author’s thoughts.

The writing is easy and breezy. As for a poetry collection, the writing is indeed lucid and certainly easy to grasp by anyone.

Since there is mention of terror bombing and shifting of cultural dynamics, you might consider your mental space before venturing into this book. It is every bit hauntingly beautiful.

[Emma Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been on a quest to find accessible yet meaningful contemporary poetry, and I found it in Pangaea. The collection, which describes itself as “reflections on the immigrant experience and healing from trauma,” examines what it means to live in a body that doesn’t feel like yours. The poems explore trauma, heritage, racism, and sexual violence; and Mian’s examination of depression especially rang deeply true to me.

CW: Racism, sexual assault

[Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy.]

[Shelby Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning collection. Mian is incredibly talented and her exploration of race and relationships was beautiful, heartbreaking, and powerful. This is a collection I will definitely be coming back to again!

[andrea v. (andrea’s galley) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“No matter how much I wear to cover my skin, I can never seem to hide it enough.”

Genre: Poetry, Essays and Collections
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Content Warnings: Discusses racism, discrimination, death, and depression.

“Pangaea” is a collection of poetry and prose where the author, Hinnah Mian, looked to express how a body can be destroyed and reborn through many means and for many reasons. Looking at the color of skin, the significance of cultural bias, the power of love—lost and gained, from family and from lovers—, and the impact society has on us, Mian has composed a beautiful oath for our bodies and our selves.

I saw being watered down as a theme. It was mentioned various times and it was something that resonated a lot with me through this book. Hinnah Mian made a wonderful job at highlighting how you can feel like you’re not appropriate in your own ‘home’, how at times you’ll have to dilute yourself to be accepted. The only reason why this book didn’t get a perfect rating from me is because some poems were repetitive and a bit monotone.

I would recommend this poetry book to anyone who’s ever felt invisible in their own skin or—even worse—targeted because of it. I also feel like this could be a powerful gift for a friend or loved one who loves poetry.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“some nights i am less star
and more the darkness that shrouds them”

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very impressed with this collection. Having never read from Hinnah Mian before, and having some bad luck when it comes to poetry in the last few months, I was a little hesitant to dive into this, but I'm really glad that I did. Hinnah's poems on family, mental illness, relationships and being a brown girl in America were incredible poignant and very well written. Her words felt very passionate and like they were written with purpose. She was exposed, raw, real and vulnerable. I was really impressed with how she was able to paint such vivid pictures, and I found myself going back and re-reading a lot of verses that took my breath away. The only real critique I would have is that some poems felt very similar to each other, and there were a few metaphors and descriptions that I felt she had already used in previous poems, which took away from them a bit.

Some of my favourite poems in this collection include:
- I Explode In Quiet
- There Are More Guns In American Thank People
- Different Is Sometimes Synonymous With Lonely
- For The Man Who Colonized My Body
- Backpacks And Bombings
- An Apology
- The Composition Of Bones
- Pangaea
- On Translating Him
- The Anatomy Of Haunting
- On Learning To Love A Shipwreck
- A Portrait As The Flowers On A Grave
- Flashbacks
- Open Letter To America

[yanitta☏ · Rating 4 out of 5]

hinnah mian's poetry is true poetry. i love the choice of words and her powerful metaphors. i couldn't choose a favorite poem from this collection because all of them are worth making the list. congratulations on writing an amazing collection.

it is an easy read. the poetry is not too difficult to understand and not too cryptic, but powerful and elaborate enough to be considered poetry.

the only criticism i have is that sometimes, the poems are repetitive. they sometimes reuse the same metaphors and subject matter which doesn't make them distinct in the collection together. every poem is strong enough to stand on its own, but when viewed together, they start to mesh together.

thank you netgalley for allowing me to read the arc of this wonderful book. i recommend it to everyone who wants to get into poetry.

[Carly Smithson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful poetry. Really spoke to me as a young woman! I definitely suggest this book!

[Jackie Debiaso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!! Hinnah Mian proves again that she is a beautiful and talented writer. Sending love

[Maya · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5) Honestly the writing style just wasn’t for me… it felt too straightforward which isn’t the type of poetry I like. Though I do like the concept and it is definitely a beautiful and raw collection. it simply just isn’t the type of writing I gravitate towards

[Raj Nandani ( Wrap the Fury) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a poetry collection with intense and personal poetry spilling through the pen of the author. In several instances, there were inherent stories in those poetries. This collection is a mix-up of poems that are quite visual in nature and abstract ones too. The allegories and allusions used in this poetry are phenomenal. The metaphors in the poem really bring out the abstract emotions through the materialistic world. The author talks about the troubles of her past relationships, the toxicity which she had to bear in the name of love, racism faced by her at school and other public spheres, the loss of identity that comes with migration, discrimination, longing for belongingness, and several other topics intermingled with her personal troubles with family and relationships.

The writing style of the author is metaphorical and several times during the read I found myself bemused by the choice of comparisons. They were phenomenal and really created an image and feel of the exact situation. I would also like to point towards the extreme observation skills that the author possessed to be able to recreate those feelings and emotions right into the mind of the readers. I9 have read very less poetry but this piece of work sure did leave its mark in my mind. I could easily compare the use of literary devices in this work with that of Dickinson. They both tend to mix personal elements of their lives with impersonal objects around them in their surroundings but seem to resemble the exact emotion. This ability comes with intense observation and being relatable to the audience despite being absent.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book a lot. This is going to be one hell of a poetry collection of 2022 when it is going to be published. I will give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I will recommend this book to those readers who want to read some personal poetry with good and proper use of literary devices. However, I need to add a trigger warning regarding the mentioning of abusive and toxic relationships, racism, troubles of immigration.

[Risa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pangaea is the kind of phenomenal poetry that captivates you not only while you're reading it, but after as well.
The author found a way to breathe new life into familiar topics. These poems give a voice to different forms of grief that have yet to be expressed."You are dead to me in every sense but poetry' is one of the most haunting lines that I have read. This line, like many other in the book, felt like validation. I love when it feels like the author orchestrated words to an unidentified ache within you. The author doesn't need to use these complex words to paint a vivid picture in your mind. While there is depth to each line, each piece is crafted in a way that anyone can empathize. Within a few pages of reading this pre-release I had pre-ordered the book. It's the kind of poetry book that can be read and felt over and over again.

Thank you NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for allowing me to preview this beautiful work in exchange for an honest review.

Hinnah Mian, thank you for sharing your outstanding work. Congratulations on your latest masterpiece.

[Mae Innes · Rating 3 out of 5]

You have to be in the mood to read this book. It has very heavy thematic elements that have you reading a few poems before you have to shut off for a few days between reads.

As a brown woman, I found a lot of her stories to be head nods of shared trauma. I understood the pain, hope, betrayal and love in her writing.

Her style reminded me of Rupi Kaur but with more raw and soul bearing words. Mian really laid it out there and didn’t sugarcoat her feelings, which was refreshing.

I think because some of the poems can get you into a headspace that I found myself having to climb of a lot as I read through, I gave it a three. Not because of substance but just because of the heaviness in her words. As a reader, it was incredibly difficult to read through, marinate on what she was saying and then transition out of the book.

While I can appreciate the purpose, books for me are an escape and this was such a slap in the face of realities.

[Ari Cofer · Rating 5 out of 5]

i had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of this collection, and i encourage everyone to buy when it’s available to everyone.

to be a person of color in literature is to hold the stories your ancestors can no longer tell, and to illustrate the pain the rest of the community can no longer hold inside their chest. PANGAEA is not only a beautiful tribute to heritage and the grief of exclusion, but also an honest reflection of heartbreak, trauma, and the heavier parts of becoming. Mian masterfully crafts each piece with both ferocity and tenderness. I highly recommend investing in this incredibly fulfilling collection.

it was such an emotional read, and an important read for not only POC, women, and writers, but for anyone who is interested in reading a beautiful written story.

[bowiesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt this book in my soul. From the very beginning I was pausing on pages, rereading and taking in the words again. I’ve never been heartbroken in the romantic sense and I’ve read countless poetry books that depict that exact heartbreak. This book made me feel it in a completely different way. I could actually feel it in my heart, seeping into my bones and settling in my body. And I loved that. The poems were real and harsh. They were beautiful and displayed such a range of emotions that are almost inexpressible. I felt understood in such a new way, as if the author already knew me.
There were also so many important topics discussed with such rawness and delicacy throughout. This is one of my all time favourite poetry books and I’d implore everyone to read it.

[Nila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the emotion and intensity of Hinnah’s writing, I highly recommend! This was one of my favorite poems:

“PALM READINGS

Why do we hold our hands up as a form of protection against things that we know can shatter us? A bullet, glass, car crash—all things that are starving for skin, and our palms, ripe with hope and blood, desperately pleading a last wave goodbye.
A man enters the room with an assault rifle, and we hold our
hands up, as if something as delicate as a finger
can catch something as hungry as a bullet.
Maybe this is a testament to the human will—
in our last moments,
pleading, forgiving, praying:
all things palms have grown
accustomed to”

[lilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If you wish to read the story of my people look no further than my body."

Thank you to Central Avenue Publishing for the ARC. This is a collection of intensely personal poetry full of themes of racism, discrimination, diluting oneself to fit in or be deemed acceptable, love, family, and trauma. I really enjoyed this. The poetry is very strong, emotive, and obviously comes from a very personal place. My only real criticism would be that occasionally the collection felt repetitive, even when the poems themselves were individually strong.

I am no longer in the business of turning rage into silence.

[esme · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I am beautiful only when my legs are open and I have forgotten my mother tongue to make room for yours.”

you know, i enjoyed this. it was a quick read and each poem was beautiful and relatable. my favorites were “i explode in quiet” , “writers block” and “how to be loved by him.”

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry got me through a really hard time and was simply beautiful. I recommend to everyone and hopes this gets the recognition it deserves. Well done.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly loved this, some beautiful inspiring pieces. I recommend this to anyone who is going through a rough time, it’s super motivational and touching.. 100/10

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is true art. That is all I have to say. Highly recommend.

[Ahmed Mian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and haunting.

[Georgia Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful, moving, and captivating.

[gingerfordays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

This was a powerfully beautiful collection of poems. I thoroughly enjoyed reading them, and I often found myself silently grieving along with the author. 10/10

I will be picking up a copy when it comes out. I’ve already recommended this to many of my friends.

[Soraya Capon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poetry collection was a captivating yet heartbreaking deep dive into varying trauma experiences. I was so deeply moved by the author’s hauntingly beautiful words exploring abuse, racism, mental health, culture - and what it means to rise up from the ashes. Hard to read, but artfully told.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

[Becky • bookmarked by becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mian poetry is raw and emotional. Her haunting imagery shows the difficulties of looking different, feeling unloved and unrespected, and the consequences both have on your mental health. Her use of language makes each poem powerful. I read this collection in one sitting, so a few of the poems, although very special, felt a bit repetitive as a compilation. I would recommend reading these poems over time so you can truly enjoy the beauty of each poem.

Some of my favorite poems are Palm Reading, Better Life, The Anatomy Of Haunting, and Allow Me To Introduce Myself.

[Grace Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a very beautiful collection of poetry. I loved how Pangea was used as a metaphor for the female body, and how men take advantage of both the Earth and women's bodies.

And as someone who has struggled with depression for years, I think it was portrayed wonderfully in this book. Depression is anything but pretty but the descriptions of how it makes people feel were simply breathtaking.

Full review here:
https://thesheepishreader.wordpress.c...

[Scott Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

"if you wish to read the story of my people look no further than my body." Pangaea is a collection of poetry about working through the trauma inflicted on a body, whether the trauma comes from a person, a country, or from within. It is the act of learning to be whole in a broken body, a broken world. It is a collection of tales told through generations of stories hidden beneath the skin."

This was a fascinating read told from a fresh and often under-represented perspective. It was great to see some serious topics being discussed and addressed in a new way. I really enjoyed reading this collection and would definitely recommend it to lovers of poetry and prose alike.

[Alejandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a collection of poems with a variety of themes that are very personal to the author, some of the themes she deals with in her poems are racism, discrimination, death, among others.
The way in which the author touches on these issues makes you see the side of the victims; people who have suffered these problems and who dare to raise their voices to open a dialogue about these problems.
Thanks to @netgalley , the publishers @centavepub and the author @hennapoetry for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Paty Pana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to believe that poetry is not for me, thinking it over-romanticises reality, so I haven't read much of it in the past. However, lately I've been reading more and more of it in an attempt to enrich my reading plate with new genres, and I've come to discover that I do enjoy it.

➺ In Pangaea, @hennapoetry covers several social topics, in such a personal tone. It feels as a confession of experiences which shaped her identity, despite it being a product of imagination. I valued how sympathetic that tone made me feel to the described situations. It made me consider how my life would be impacted if I were to face some the hardships described: Racism. Immigration. Terrorism. The craving to belong and be accepted without having to put on a mask and please everyone. Domestic abuse. Female objectification. Depression. Sharing life with an emotionally unavailable person. It's very important to be educated on such topics, as sometimes we can't realise how privileged we are for not having experienced them. And this is how this poetry collection worked for me, teaching me through an emotion-packed, rich form of putting thoughts on paper.

➺ I also appreciated how deeply cultural this book is. We get to learn a lot about customs and traditions the author grew up with, and we also get a glimpse of the obstacles a woman faces with relationships in a conservative environment.

➺ All in all, the writing style of the poet was captivating, and I read the book in one sitting while at the library. She has a way of making each line sound relatable, and brings the reader in the shoes of those who suffer. I would totally recommend her poetry, and I do plan to read more of her work in the future.

Rating: 4.8/5