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The Surrender Theory: Poems
The Surrender Theory begins in the thick of heartbreak, gets lost in the vibrancy of new love, and eventually rediscovers itself in a place of peace and closure. It's about learning to grow alongside grief. About taking the hand of your younger self and forgiving them. Through pages of truisms and poems, this debut collection from Caitlin Conlon explores the boundaries of our most poignant and human emotions.Deeply personal yet universal, The Surrender Theory speaks to anyone who has put their heart out into the world and hoped with everything in them that it would come home unscathed.
- GenresPoetryNonfictionGrief
163 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2022
75 people are currently reading
4196 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Conlon
5 books152 followersCaitlin Conlon is the author of THE SURRENDER THEORY (2022) and BURNING THE GHOST LIGHT (forthcoming in 2025). She has a BA in English and a Creative Writing Certificate from the University At Buffalo; while there, she was chosen for the Friends of the University Libraries Undergraduate Poetry Prize, and the Arthur Axlerod Memorial Prize for Poetry. She has previously been published with midsummer magazine, Olney Magazine, and Anti-Heroin Chic, among others. She is the co-founder of Unearth Writing Retreats, which hosts virtual and in-person writing retreats for writers of all levels.
You can find her newsletter, Dancing With The Marginalia, on Substack, where she posts bi-weekly essays about books and writing. Everywhere else, she’s @cgcpoems.
You can find her newsletter, Dancing With The Marginalia, on Substack, where she posts bi-weekly essays about books and writing. Everywhere else, she’s @cgcpoems.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
August 14, 2021
automatic five stars because I had to live through all of this! & because I think it’s pretty good :)
February 18, 2022
A collection of poems about grief, mental illness, and heartbreak. I’m new to contemporary poetry but found Conlon’s writing about the loss of her grandmother and her struggles with depression especially poignant.
A few of the poems were so short—essentially only a line—that I wished Conlon had chosen to dig deeper, but the other poems in the collection more than made up for it. Her descriptions of depression rang so true for me that I teared up in a few places.
A few of the poems were so short—essentially only a line—that I wished Conlon had chosen to dig deeper, but the other poems in the collection more than made up for it. Her descriptions of depression rang so true for me that I teared up in a few places.
January 3, 2022
Conlon's writing is just really beautiful. There were poems or even just pieces of poems that I could relate to deeply, but most of them I couldn't relate to at all, and I still loved it. Most of the time, poetry that I find the most moving is poetry I can relate to, but I really adore the way this author writes despite my lack of shared experience with her because I think that there are kinds of pains or snapshots of nostalgia that don't have to be specific to be universal. She makes me ache for her, reminisce with her, feel for a complete stranger and I think that's the basis of good poetry.
Thank you to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the ARC.
February 11, 2022
I received an advanced reader copy of this poetry collection from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Shout out to Central Avenue Publishing and Caitlin Conlon.
PUBLICATION DATE: 22 February 2022.
Poetry collections are tricky when you haven't read much of a poet's work. They can either open you to a whole new wonderful world, or they can be really hard to get through.
Unfortunately, Caitlin Conlon's 'The Surrender Theory' was more of the latter than anything else to me.
Dealing with topics like grief, depression and heartache, 'The Surrender Theory' consists of 80-something poems that are largely about the poet's grandmother dying and the men who didn't love her back. Or enough to stay.
The title - and very first - poem, which is the one I had read and loved before I read the collection, stands out head and shoulders above the rest. A few others that I really enjoyed include 'Pareidolia', 'Nesting Doll' and 'After', and while I understand that grief does different things to us all, most of the poems about it were my least favourite of the bunch.
“There isn’t much that scares me more than my own heart, a monster of tenderness. I have an irrational fear that I’ll wake to find it perched at the foot of my bed, begging to be torn apart, consumed in the name of compassion. And that’s incredibly terrifying for a few different reasons but mainly because I’d do it. I’ve never needed an excuse to sacrifice myself for love. I’m a martyr for everything soft. I confess to you: I’d bleed for anything if it held me the right way. I confess: I have. I have.”
Much of the collection feels both formulaic and juvenile, and while there are glimmers of brilliance, a lot of Conlon's work in this collection falls flat to me.
Had I read this 10 years ago, I probably would have been obsessed with it. I too was a sad girl mourning what felt like an insurmountable loss. But now, at 31, 'The Surrender Theory' felt shallow.
“Nowadays I don’t know what to do with my hands. I write. I say your name over and over until it isn’t a word. I sit outside and weep into the daisies until memory becomes less of a burden and more of a fact.”
I love that the poet found love after it all, and the poems to and about her partner are a lovely change of pace in this collection, but after all the death and heartache and sadness, they almost feel... Misplaced.
I probably would have appreciated and enjoyed the collection more if it was shorter, but as it is, it was a "hmmm, no" for me.
“If I could give you one last thing, it would be this: I no longer think of you with yearning, only curiosity.”
PUBLICATION DATE: 22 February 2022.
Poetry collections are tricky when you haven't read much of a poet's work. They can either open you to a whole new wonderful world, or they can be really hard to get through.
Unfortunately, Caitlin Conlon's 'The Surrender Theory' was more of the latter than anything else to me.
Dealing with topics like grief, depression and heartache, 'The Surrender Theory' consists of 80-something poems that are largely about the poet's grandmother dying and the men who didn't love her back. Or enough to stay.
The title - and very first - poem, which is the one I had read and loved before I read the collection, stands out head and shoulders above the rest. A few others that I really enjoyed include 'Pareidolia', 'Nesting Doll' and 'After', and while I understand that grief does different things to us all, most of the poems about it were my least favourite of the bunch.
“There isn’t much that scares me more than my own heart, a monster of tenderness. I have an irrational fear that I’ll wake to find it perched at the foot of my bed, begging to be torn apart, consumed in the name of compassion. And that’s incredibly terrifying for a few different reasons but mainly because I’d do it. I’ve never needed an excuse to sacrifice myself for love. I’m a martyr for everything soft. I confess to you: I’d bleed for anything if it held me the right way. I confess: I have. I have.”
Much of the collection feels both formulaic and juvenile, and while there are glimmers of brilliance, a lot of Conlon's work in this collection falls flat to me.
Had I read this 10 years ago, I probably would have been obsessed with it. I too was a sad girl mourning what felt like an insurmountable loss. But now, at 31, 'The Surrender Theory' felt shallow.
“Nowadays I don’t know what to do with my hands. I write. I say your name over and over until it isn’t a word. I sit outside and weep into the daisies until memory becomes less of a burden and more of a fact.”
I love that the poet found love after it all, and the poems to and about her partner are a lovely change of pace in this collection, but after all the death and heartache and sadness, they almost feel... Misplaced.
I probably would have appreciated and enjoyed the collection more if it was shorter, but as it is, it was a "hmmm, no" for me.
“If I could give you one last thing, it would be this: I no longer think of you with yearning, only curiosity.”
April 15, 2022
“your name like my name. Like something I can't remember ever learning, just blinking into existence knowing”
[4.5]
While reading it I found so many feelings and experiences of my own mirrored in these beautifully touching poems. Even though she doesn't shy away from describing the struggles of mental illness, grief, and heartbreak with wonderful metaphors and imagery, the collection leaves you with a hopeful sensation. Pointing out that everyone can heal, even if it seems impossible at the moment.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with the e-arc!
[4.5]
While reading it I found so many feelings and experiences of my own mirrored in these beautifully touching poems. Even though she doesn't shy away from describing the struggles of mental illness, grief, and heartbreak with wonderful metaphors and imagery, the collection leaves you with a hopeful sensation. Pointing out that everyone can heal, even if it seems impossible at the moment.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with the e-arc!
December 6, 2022
"sometimes i rip up all the floorboards
and still can't remember
how you said my name."
GOD.
and still can't remember
how you said my name."
GOD.
February 23, 2022
"Do you ever get the impression that you're on the wrong side of your own life?"
Conlon's poetry is a gift and I'm so glad it's now out in the (published) world. Her expressions of grief and heartbreak and depression are so personal yet poetic and powerful that you can't put her down until she's finished what she's wanting to say. I can't wait to reread and reannotate and dog-ear this collection for eternity:)
Conlon's poetry is a gift and I'm so glad it's now out in the (published) world. Her expressions of grief and heartbreak and depression are so personal yet poetic and powerful that you can't put her down until she's finished what she's wanting to say. I can't wait to reread and reannotate and dog-ear this collection for eternity:)
December 28, 2021
**Offered as an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Poetry collections always speak to me in a multitude of ways. Ever since I took a poetry class and subsequently unlocked and released my inner poet, I’ve been obsessed with what I refer to as “modern poetry”—poetry that manipulates form and discusses modern topics as we know and face them. And, who doesn’t love sitting down and immersing oneself in a sea of poetry, only surfacing once you’ve reached the far book flap?
That is what happened with me and Conlon’s The Surrender Theory. I won’t lie and say I picked this book out of the NetGalley sea because I felt a connection to the story—though that came about in surprising ways—but rather because I felt the cover was awesome. I judged this book by its cover and it TOTALLY paid off. Imagine my surprise when I begin to read and find minor experiences of my life mirrored in the words in front of me. All the way down to thinking someone making you pasta means you’re destined to spend together forever.
What Conlon has done best in The Surrender Theory, to me, is successfully woven a myriad of poems, that present in different styles and odes to other poets or media subjects, into a fluid arc. I could feel the darkness so present in the first half of the book lifting the further along I read. As cliche as it sounds, said darkness is replaced with a hopeful sensation. Conlon and her poetry don’t necessarily replace or hide away the depression and the hopelessness of past feelings and trauma, but rather highlight how you can successfully move forward away from them, even if they are always haunting nearby.
I recommend this collection wholeheartedly. I believe there is something in this collection for everyone, even if it’s small and a single direct poem or as large as topics such as grief, shame, and depression. So excited for this to publish and so excited to see what else Conlon has to offer.
Poetry collections always speak to me in a multitude of ways. Ever since I took a poetry class and subsequently unlocked and released my inner poet, I’ve been obsessed with what I refer to as “modern poetry”—poetry that manipulates form and discusses modern topics as we know and face them. And, who doesn’t love sitting down and immersing oneself in a sea of poetry, only surfacing once you’ve reached the far book flap?
That is what happened with me and Conlon’s The Surrender Theory. I won’t lie and say I picked this book out of the NetGalley sea because I felt a connection to the story—though that came about in surprising ways—but rather because I felt the cover was awesome. I judged this book by its cover and it TOTALLY paid off. Imagine my surprise when I begin to read and find minor experiences of my life mirrored in the words in front of me. All the way down to thinking someone making you pasta means you’re destined to spend together forever.
What Conlon has done best in The Surrender Theory, to me, is successfully woven a myriad of poems, that present in different styles and odes to other poets or media subjects, into a fluid arc. I could feel the darkness so present in the first half of the book lifting the further along I read. As cliche as it sounds, said darkness is replaced with a hopeful sensation. Conlon and her poetry don’t necessarily replace or hide away the depression and the hopelessness of past feelings and trauma, but rather highlight how you can successfully move forward away from them, even if they are always haunting nearby.
I recommend this collection wholeheartedly. I believe there is something in this collection for everyone, even if it’s small and a single direct poem or as large as topics such as grief, shame, and depression. So excited for this to publish and so excited to see what else Conlon has to offer.
February 9, 2023
I think perhaps modern poetry isn’t for me, but I also think this book has a few truly redeeming poems and stand-out lines.
Excerpt from the poem Belated Questions:
“there are at least a million ways to set fire to something but only one good way to put it out. so maybe I smothered us. can you forgive me for wanting this so badly that I ruined the couch cushions?”
Excerpt from the poem Belated Questions:
“there are at least a million ways to set fire to something but only one good way to put it out. so maybe I smothered us. can you forgive me for wanting this so badly that I ruined the couch cushions?”
November 25, 2021
If you are looking for a beautiful poetry collection about grief, love and heartache this is definitely the book for you! The poems were written so beautifully and from the start you get captivated by those words 😍
I would definitely recommend this book!!!
I would definitely recommend this book!!!
February 8, 2023
I really enjoyed this collection, Conlon expertly portrays coming of age in your late teens and early twenties, focusing on tougher themes of grief and heartbreak. I will definitely be revisiting some of these poems in the future 💛
January 3, 2023
how do you know when a poem is finished?
September 15, 2023
“i’ve never needed an excuse to sacrifice myself for love. i’m a martyr for everything soft. i confess to you: i’d bleed for anything if it held me the right way. i confess: i have. i have.”
December 8, 2025
I’ve never needed an excuse
to sacrifice myself for love.
I’m a martyr for everything soft.
I confess to you: I’d bleed for anything
if it held me the right way.
I confess:I have.
I have.
Thank you Malak for recommending this 𖹭
to sacrifice myself for love.
I’m a martyr for everything soft.
I confess to you: I’d bleed for anything
if it held me the right way.
I confess:I have.
I have.
Thank you Malak for recommending this 𖹭
September 22, 2023
This was a beautiful book and I loved the little inspirations for each section and the process of grief and healing while still being in so much pain yet having so much love that was portrayed.
December 6, 2022
While growing up, I never really understood poetry. The odd structure and the abstract metaphors left me confused. The dramatic tone and intense imagery felt forced and unrealistic. Irritated, I wondered why poets couldn't express their thoughts and emotions more clearly so that I could better follow them.
Fortunately, a great friend of mine showed me The Surrender Theory. And because of that friend and this book, I am better able to understand poetry, but more importantly, I am better able to understand myself. See, I didn't understand poetry before because I was reading it through the eyes of a kid who had yet to experience true loss, grief, heartbreak, or any complex emotion for that matter. These are all feelings that are difficult to truly understand, let alone communicate to others. A simple and straightforward narrative cannot accurately display the effect these emotions have on a person. However, poetry seems to give you the freedom to express complex thoughts and emotions in whatever way you can.
Lately, I have been dealing with grief and heartbreak. And because I couldn't find the right words to describe them, I have felt confused, guilty, lost, and lonely. The Surrender Theory made me feel understood. Caitlin Conlon has followed a similar path to mine and has given words and meaning behind my thoughts and emotions. Throughout this book, I truly felt seen and heard. As a result, I feel a little less lonely than I did before.
I want to thank Caitlin Conlon for being brave enough to share her entire self. In doing so, she has not only ignited my appreciation for poetry but also made me understand my own story and how I fit into it.
And I also want to thank my great friend for showing me this book. Whether they meant to or not, they gave me exactly what I needed.
Fortunately, a great friend of mine showed me The Surrender Theory. And because of that friend and this book, I am better able to understand poetry, but more importantly, I am better able to understand myself. See, I didn't understand poetry before because I was reading it through the eyes of a kid who had yet to experience true loss, grief, heartbreak, or any complex emotion for that matter. These are all feelings that are difficult to truly understand, let alone communicate to others. A simple and straightforward narrative cannot accurately display the effect these emotions have on a person. However, poetry seems to give you the freedom to express complex thoughts and emotions in whatever way you can.
Lately, I have been dealing with grief and heartbreak. And because I couldn't find the right words to describe them, I have felt confused, guilty, lost, and lonely. The Surrender Theory made me feel understood. Caitlin Conlon has followed a similar path to mine and has given words and meaning behind my thoughts and emotions. Throughout this book, I truly felt seen and heard. As a result, I feel a little less lonely than I did before.
I want to thank Caitlin Conlon for being brave enough to share her entire self. In doing so, she has not only ignited my appreciation for poetry but also made me understand my own story and how I fit into it.
And I also want to thank my great friend for showing me this book. Whether they meant to or not, they gave me exactly what I needed.
August 20, 2025
thank you netgalley and publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
now… where do i even begin. caitlin has a way of taking you with her into a memory, to the point where you almost feel as if you’ve lived it yourself.
throughout the entire book, i never felt as if grief was absent. it was always there, even if it was just lingering in the back. that was one of my favourite things about the surrender theory, just the reality of finding a way to live with losing someone instead of overcoming the hurt.
the surrender theory was so much different than cavity, but i loved that it still included some poems about heartache. i feel like it missed the anger that cavity had, but that is a good thing, even if i will miss the (sweet) bitterness. instead of angry poems about a boy who left, caitlin wrote about a boy who stayed. and i think those might be my favourite ones, if only because her writing makes me want to join her in her joy. it’s impossible not to feel the love she has after reading these poems.
i have always believed that good writing is all about the feelings you get as a reader, whether it be poetry or something else, and caitlin always makes me feel everything. i experienced joy, heartache, love, grief, sadness, loneliness, nostalgia and despair throughout this book. i can’t wait for this to release so i can hold it in my hands.
now… where do i even begin. caitlin has a way of taking you with her into a memory, to the point where you almost feel as if you’ve lived it yourself.
throughout the entire book, i never felt as if grief was absent. it was always there, even if it was just lingering in the back. that was one of my favourite things about the surrender theory, just the reality of finding a way to live with losing someone instead of overcoming the hurt.
the surrender theory was so much different than cavity, but i loved that it still included some poems about heartache. i feel like it missed the anger that cavity had, but that is a good thing, even if i will miss the (sweet) bitterness. instead of angry poems about a boy who left, caitlin wrote about a boy who stayed. and i think those might be my favourite ones, if only because her writing makes me want to join her in her joy. it’s impossible not to feel the love she has after reading these poems.
i have always believed that good writing is all about the feelings you get as a reader, whether it be poetry or something else, and caitlin always makes me feel everything. i experienced joy, heartache, love, grief, sadness, loneliness, nostalgia and despair throughout this book. i can’t wait for this to release so i can hold it in my hands.
March 3, 2023
YOU COOKED FOR ME
once, in the time that we were together. Pasta.
Vegetarian.
I leaned against your doorway, not yet comfortable in any place that belonged to you, and said how touched I was that you'd listened to my nervous babble on our first date. No meat, but dairy is fine.
It felt like the kindest thing anyone had ever done for me - mixing handmade pesto in a white bowl.
Clearing away a stack of unopened mail from a stool so I could sit and watch the steam rise.
In retrospect I can see that you gave me very little and I tried to build an entire future with it.
You must understand, I had never been remembered like that, before.
With purpose. Without begging for it.
I took what I was offered and ran.
once, in the time that we were together. Pasta.
Vegetarian.
I leaned against your doorway, not yet comfortable in any place that belonged to you, and said how touched I was that you'd listened to my nervous babble on our first date. No meat, but dairy is fine.
It felt like the kindest thing anyone had ever done for me - mixing handmade pesto in a white bowl.
Clearing away a stack of unopened mail from a stool so I could sit and watch the steam rise.
In retrospect I can see that you gave me very little and I tried to build an entire future with it.
You must understand, I had never been remembered like that, before.
With purpose. Without begging for it.
I took what I was offered and ran.
Read
November 3, 2021Many have tried to describe the multitude of ways that grief can hold you, but none have come close to the way Caitlin transports you back into the feeling of its arms. ‘The Surrender Theory’ is an engaging and accessible way to remember what it feels like to love. What it feels like to lose. The beauty in this collection lies in Caitlin’s ability to detail her truth in a way that feels universal. We all have been touched by the feeling of yearning. This poetry will help you understand the depths of it. It will help you understand that you don’t have to get lost in it.
December 13, 2021
Wow, this was an incredible collection of poetry. It covers themes such as grief, love and mental illness. Although I didn’t relate to every single poem, I found myself connecting to many of them. They were all written so beautifully with the perfect language to convey the subject. This author is definitely one to watch!
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a chance to read and review this book.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a chance to read and review this book.
December 27, 2021
Caitlin uses words to captivate emotions some of us only wish we could understand, you can feel the grief spilling off the page in the way she describes the loss of her grandmother and her first heartbreak. She has a rare gift for using the English language to absolutely stop you in your tracks and make you reconsider everything you’ve ever thought you knew about loss and heartache. I expect big things from this poet in the future.
December 27, 2021
The Surrender Theory is an incredible and emotional collection of poetry. It covers many dark topics, including grief, mental illness, and heartbreak, and I found myself relating to many of the poems in this collection. I don’t typically read poetry, but I absolutely loved reading about Conlon’s experiences and I will continue to read anything she writes. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!
May 31, 2022
she is foul for this one
January 25, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
I enjoyed many of the pieces in this collection. Conlon discusses themes of grief, heartbreak, and mental health with gorgeous vulnerability. I highlighted many lines of strong metaphors, lyricism, and imagery. Conlon really takes the reader on a journey through the most painful stages of grief, to new love, and settles on a tone of acceptance. All of the themes presented are beautifully layered throughout the book, like memories that continuously come back to you.
I don't think all the pieces in this collection are equally strong. There were some that didn't keep my attention, making it feel a bit long. I also didn't find the use of repetition powerful in every poem. Some just came across as distracting to me. I noted "The Red Room" as one example. The color red is so striking that it paints the whole poem right away. At times I thought pieces were overexplained, one example being "Linguistics." I think the end lines identify a feeling of desperation that is already evident throughout the poem.
I did have a few favorite pieces. I liked the form of "Titles For Future Breakup Poems." It reminds me of "Notebook Fragments" by Ocean Vuong. "Ours, Away" is so beautifully written and filled with vibrant images. It's definitely one I'll be saving to look back on. My absolute favorite is "Ode For The Girls That Camp Out For Concerts" (though I felt "Ode To Girls Who Camp Out For Concerts" may sound nicer). As a frequent concert-goer, I thought this was such a cool idea for a poem, and I connected with every line.
I enjoyed many of the pieces in this collection. Conlon discusses themes of grief, heartbreak, and mental health with gorgeous vulnerability. I highlighted many lines of strong metaphors, lyricism, and imagery. Conlon really takes the reader on a journey through the most painful stages of grief, to new love, and settles on a tone of acceptance. All of the themes presented are beautifully layered throughout the book, like memories that continuously come back to you.
I don't think all the pieces in this collection are equally strong. There were some that didn't keep my attention, making it feel a bit long. I also didn't find the use of repetition powerful in every poem. Some just came across as distracting to me. I noted "The Red Room" as one example. The color red is so striking that it paints the whole poem right away. At times I thought pieces were overexplained, one example being "Linguistics." I think the end lines identify a feeling of desperation that is already evident throughout the poem.
I did have a few favorite pieces. I liked the form of "Titles For Future Breakup Poems." It reminds me of "Notebook Fragments" by Ocean Vuong. "Ours, Away" is so beautifully written and filled with vibrant images. It's definitely one I'll be saving to look back on. My absolute favorite is "Ode For The Girls That Camp Out For Concerts" (though I felt "Ode To Girls Who Camp Out For Concerts" may sound nicer). As a frequent concert-goer, I thought this was such a cool idea for a poem, and I connected with every line.
February 25, 2022
THE SURRENDER THEORY is a stunning debut and beautiful exploration of grief, of love, of loss, of growth and of everything in between. Caitlin Conlon is a true gift.
This collection is intimate and vulnerable, blending poignant pop culture references and personal anecdotes to peel back the layers of growing in- and alongside loss and seeking kindness and softness in the face of seemingly-insurmountable grief. It weaves between familial love, self-love, and romantic love, blurs the lines between past and present, and reminisces on the changes we go through in that strange and confusing transition between adolescence and adulthood.
This book is largely self-biographical, reading almost like a memoir in parts, but its major take-aways apply broadly, echoing loudly for anyone who has ever fought to protect their softness, their hopefulness in the face of a hollowing hurt.
I’m just…in awe. I devoured this in one sitting and I already want to take a second pass with a pencil in hand to really dig between the lines. There’s so much here. Maybe I’m biased, but this is definitely a must-read for poetry fans.
This collection is intimate and vulnerable, blending poignant pop culture references and personal anecdotes to peel back the layers of growing in- and alongside loss and seeking kindness and softness in the face of seemingly-insurmountable grief. It weaves between familial love, self-love, and romantic love, blurs the lines between past and present, and reminisces on the changes we go through in that strange and confusing transition between adolescence and adulthood.
This book is largely self-biographical, reading almost like a memoir in parts, but its major take-aways apply broadly, echoing loudly for anyone who has ever fought to protect their softness, their hopefulness in the face of a hollowing hurt.
I’m just…in awe. I devoured this in one sitting and I already want to take a second pass with a pencil in hand to really dig between the lines. There’s so much here. Maybe I’m biased, but this is definitely a must-read for poetry fans.
April 26, 2022
Caitlin’s way with putting grief and emotion into words on a page is something so rare and personal, almost like she’s in the room with you, sitting in a chair across from you just as a therapist would. It’s comforting, knowing there are people out there who feel such deep, dark, horrifying emotions such as I do. This book felt like that moment when the person you love most sits in bed with you, and wraps their arm around your legs and squeezes tight for maximum comfort.
Thank you Caitlin, you’ve always touched a special place in my heart with your words. The Surrender Theory gave me a newfound perspective into dealing with grief head-on.
Thank you Caitlin, you’ve always touched a special place in my heart with your words. The Surrender Theory gave me a newfound perspective into dealing with grief head-on.
December 25, 2022
“Before sin there was the apple, before the apple there was anxiety. The threat of unutterable tragedy hung scarlet, burning, exodus. Like a matchstick in the hand of death, an offering without language. If disorder predates ancestral sin, then maybe apprehension is god-like.”
LIKE???? YOU'RE JOKING?????? i hardly ever feel a strong attachment to contemporary poetry but there were numerous lines/passages in this book that left me completely struck, whether i personally related to them or not. an incredible collection! someone come back to this review in a few years time when this book inevitably blows up
LIKE???? YOU'RE JOKING?????? i hardly ever feel a strong attachment to contemporary poetry but there were numerous lines/passages in this book that left me completely struck, whether i personally related to them or not. an incredible collection! someone come back to this review in a few years time when this book inevitably blows up
March 9, 2024
het eerste gedicht is fantastisch maar daarna zwakt het een beetje af. de collectie bevat mooie en pijnlijke, prachtig geschreven passages over depressie, angst, verlies en liefde maar sommige gedichten voelden als opdrachten voor een cursus creatief schrijven of hadden zo regelrecht uit mijn eigen notes-app / dagboek kunnen komen (en vereisten dus nog wat reviseerwerk).
helaas een aantal keer “beetje cringe” / “tumblr 2014” / “rupi kaur core” in de kantlijn moeten zetten. oh well, als je grote liefde aan de andere kant van de wereld zit heb je soms misschien even wat tumblr-gedichtjes nodig!!
helaas een aantal keer “beetje cringe” / “tumblr 2014” / “rupi kaur core” in de kantlijn moeten zetten. oh well, als je grote liefde aan de andere kant van de wereld zit heb je soms misschien even wat tumblr-gedichtjes nodig!!
February 6, 2022
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
These words captures how I feel, how I've felt. Who I hope to become, and who I've been. This book helped my hand in the dark and helped into the sunlight.
The Surrender Theory is fierce, divine, and something every young adult should read. I'm only disappointed because I cannot share my favourite quotes, because I forgot to screenshot them before the book expired.
Rated 4.5 stars
Thank you to netgallery for giving me an advanced copy of this beautiful collection I'm exchange for an honest review
These words captures how I feel, how I've felt. Who I hope to become, and who I've been. This book helped my hand in the dark and helped into the sunlight.
The Surrender Theory is fierce, divine, and something every young adult should read. I'm only disappointed because I cannot share my favourite quotes, because I forgot to screenshot them before the book expired.
Rated 4.5 stars
Thank you to netgallery for giving me an advanced copy of this beautiful collection I'm exchange for an honest review
December 26, 2022
Took me almost a month to finish this poetry collection but it was beautiful!
“The truth is not the truth until you say it
to the first thing you survived.
Joy is difficult to obtain
when you most require it.
If my depression answers to anything
it isn’t my reflection.
You can lose things
while holding onto them.
The symphony of childhood sounds best
when played in reverse.
Forgiveness is not enough if
_____________
I say, I have no interest in dying for the things I love
anymore.
It’s better just to live for them”
“The truth is not the truth until you say it
to the first thing you survived.
Joy is difficult to obtain
when you most require it.
If my depression answers to anything
it isn’t my reflection.
You can lose things
while holding onto them.
The symphony of childhood sounds best
when played in reverse.
Forgiveness is not enough if
_____________
I say, I have no interest in dying for the things I love
anymore.
It’s better just to live for them”
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