Rin reviewed Adultolescence by Gabbie Hanna
Review of 'Adultolescence' on 'Goodreads'
1 star
Despite what Instagram would have you believe, your angsty Facebook status updates when you were 17 don't make for poetry. Nor do, as illustrated in one of these pallid word collections, shower thoughts. I mean, to be fair, shower thoughts can lead to unique, fleshed-out, interesting poems that the writer can put effort into, sure! But that's not what was done here. If any actual work was put in anywhere in this book, I can't find it. Sure, poetry is subjective -- but there are limits. This reeks of laziness. Spewing up random thoughts on a page, maybe adding a quirky pen illustration, calling it a poem, and then expecting people to swallow it isn't a poetry. It's certainly not any kind of art. Sorry not sorry, Instapoets.
A type of business skill, perhaps, and maybe even a laudable one. But it isn't art, though. And it's not effort. …
Despite what Instagram would have you believe, your angsty Facebook status updates when you were 17 don't make for poetry. Nor do, as illustrated in one of these pallid word collections, shower thoughts. I mean, to be fair, shower thoughts can lead to unique, fleshed-out, interesting poems that the writer can put effort into, sure! But that's not what was done here. If any actual work was put in anywhere in this book, I can't find it. Sure, poetry is subjective -- but there are limits. This reeks of laziness. Spewing up random thoughts on a page, maybe adding a quirky pen illustration, calling it a poem, and then expecting people to swallow it isn't a poetry. It's certainly not any kind of art. Sorry not sorry, Instapoets.
A type of business skill, perhaps, and maybe even a laudable one. But it isn't art, though. And it's not effort.
If Gabbie Hanna is indeed "a brilliant new voice with a magical ability", then Rupi Kaur should be the next poet laureate.
