The Plants are Burning

by Vianney Harelly

Genres: Poetry

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Mariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I waited a long time to get my hands on this book - I missed the sale of her first collection of poetry and this one kept selling out. I was so happy to finally have made the preorder.

I first came across Vianney's work through her readings of her poetry on tik tok. I normally shy away from recommendations that I get on that platform, but Vianney's words really touched me. There is an unfortunate shared experience that comes with being a first gen, from carrying ancestral weight to having imposter syndrome. There is a lot of trauma we harbor from having to grow up too fast and being an anchor to our loved ones.

Vianney te extrano
y me dejaste sola

These poems have given voice to a lot of those emotions we buried away for only ourselves to see. Vianney beautifully writes about the tragedy of losing loved ones, belongings...of losing oneself but picking yourself up porque todavia necesito regar mis plantas.

Vianney, your writing has helped heal a part of my inner child. Thank you for sharing your talent with us and I am so excited for any future work you put out.

[jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This verse—“Las lágrimas que no lloré frente a mi madre y a mi padre alimentaron mis raíces hasta convertirme en un jardín botánico”—hit me like a rock. It’s my favorite line in the entire book. 😭😭😭

As a Mexican-American, I truly appreciate books like this that make me feel seen and understood (even if that sounds cliché). Vianney has a unique poetic style, skillfully weaving special and recurring elements into a cohesive expression of meaning and emotion. If you enjoy this type of poetry, I highly recommend giving this book a read! 🥸

I rated it four stars because, personally, I’m not a big fan of repetitiveness. However, that doesn’t make this book any less enjoyable! 🙌🏼 Get ready to feel your feels!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

this book is kind of the best lee way into discussing really personal things that have been bothering you for a minute

[Valerie Marquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of poetry was very well written and perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being the eldest daughter in a Hispanic family, and how your mother’s and father’s and grandparents’ traumas and struggles become yours to carry. Her words really touched me, and I took so long to get through this book – much longer than usual, especially for such a short work – because I wanted to give this book the time, care, and attention it deserved. It served as a good method of inner child healing, and I only hope she someday releases an audiobook version because her spoken word on TikTok, which is where I initially found out about her work, is beautiful, painful, and raw. I have her longer work on my TBR shelf, and reading this one made me want to save that one for a time where I can truly dedicate my reading experience to healing.

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encapsulated everything I’ve ever felt. This book was beautifully written. Healing your inner child isn’t always easy. And this book shows that. I’m happy I got my hands on it and was able to read it.

[Lilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d waited so long to be able get a copy and it was well worth the wait! This is a beautifully written book about our inner wounds, especially ones from childhood, and the ways they continue to impact us throughout our life. Vianney Harelly has such a way with evoking strong emotion through her writing and bringing the reader into her inner world. I admire her for her for being so vulnerable in her work and her efforts to help others heal their own wounds. What I specifically loved is her use of Spanish and English throughout which made me feel all the more at home reading it. This is the kind of book that I would recommend to everyone! Vianney si estás leyendo esto, gracias por tu poesía y por compartir tu talento con el mundo <3

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Vianney Halley's second poetry, but she self-published this one! I read it too quickly & should have allowed myself time to reflect throughout but I was too wrapped up to stop. Her book speaks to her childhood traumas with the themes of fire & plants. It has some strong themes and the last page made me super mo to see the journey of growth from the author. It's a mix of Spanish & English which I personally really liked.

[Emmily Barrera · Rating 3 out of 5]

The poems are beautiful but I just wish she didn’t use Frida Kahlo so much in her writing, it’s exhausting wanting to read something/enjoy art from Latin America/ Spanish, but it’s always centered around Frida. When there’s other artists who didn’t use Zapotec and other indigenous culture for their benefit.

[Picka Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro lo entendí mucho mejor luego de conocer a Vianney en una de las lecturas de sus poesías que hace de manera presencial.
Después de eso mi corazón retumbó con fuego y un amor intenso de empatía.
Es oro molido para el alma dolida y resiliente.
Gracias Vianney 🙏✨

[carli v · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vianney writes beautifully.