This was my introduction to Ananda Devi’s work, and what a fascinating experience it turned out to be! Many of the poems are interwoven with themes of despair, while also reflecting deeply on relationships, women's bodies, sexuality, and inner emotional landscapes. At the same time, the poet does not shy away from confronting violence and the lingering shadows of colonial legacies.

Alongside the poems are three prose pieces that stand apart in tone and intensity. These narratives expand the emotional terrain of the book, channeling rage, frustration, and sorrow with greater directness and urgency. They add another dimension to the collection, offering a longer, more visceral reflection on pain and resistance.

The translation, handled with great sensitivity by Kazim Ali, is itself of particular note. His translator's note and interviews with Devi reveal the care and nuanced thought he brought to the process. The result is a collection that retains the delicate tone, subtle expressions, and layered silences of the original – the “saying and not saying” that gives the poems their unique depth.

Overall, I found this to be a deeply rewarding read. Though by the end, I was left wanting just a bit more than I found – not because the collection lacked anything, but because it opened up so many spaces that I longed to explore further.

This collection left me feeling somewhat adrift. While I appreciated the lyrical quality of many individual poems, the book as a whole didn’t fully connect with me.

One stylistic choice that didn’t quite work for me was the side-by-side French and English presentation. I understand the intent, perhaps to preserve the original rhythm and voice, but it felt more distracting than helpful.

That said, the poems often had striking imagery and moments of beauty when read on their own. The emotional weight behind them became a lot clearer after I read the interview at the back, which offers helpful context about the author and her other works.

I didn’t dislike the book, but I didn’t quite connect with it either. It was a challenging read. While it wasn’t one I personally loved, I can see it resonating more with readers who are familiar with the cultural and political context.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers India for the ebook for review; all opinions are my own.

This is deep and raw. Strong and weak. Emotional and tranced ent. The translation aspect threw me for a loop at first but it was like being in different worlds. Interesting read for sure.

Beautiful poetry collection. I loved that there were the original French and the translated English - as I speak/read both languages. I thought they complemented each other so well. Devi's way of weaving words that are visual, visceral and touching was incredible.
I really liked the interview between author and translator at the end too - almost a behind the scene that you don't get a lot in books and it was refreshing to get that glimpse.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC

I loved this, possibly biased as I am Mauritian

This is a beautiful poetry collection. I've never read anything by a Mauritian author before, and don't know much about the culture, I have done some research but this poetry collection has me wanting to find more Mauritian authors and look more into diversifying my reading in that way. I love learning through reading and seeing stories so different from me, that also resonate in some way.

I was very impressed with this book of poetry. I loved the cover too. A very talented new writer. I look forward to more by them.

First of all, the cover really caught my attention. This isn’t my first time reading poetry, but it’s the first time I found myself enjoying it. I read it all in one sitting! Of course, I only read the English version lol. The translator did an amazing job. I loved these poets.

This was a really beautiful introduction to Ms Devi's work. The interview between the author and translator is also insightful.

This collection is not just poetry...it is pure feeling poured into words. Ananda Devi writes with haunting precision, capturing the invisible weight of emotions we often carry in silence. Each poem peels back a layer of the human experience...grief, identity, longing, rebellion, anger, resilience...until we’re face to face with raw truth.

The 8th poem particularly stayed with me:
“I will not live more than I need
This is what my mother said
This is what my father said
You have to know to leave when there is still time.”

These lines feel like echoes from generations, quietly yet firmly reminding us of boundaries, of presence, of departure. It’s not just a line...it’s a life philosophy, tender yet fierce to touch your heart

Through this entire book, there’s an undercurrent of ache and strength woven into every stanza. Each poem is a mirror...sometimes gentle, sometimes unrelenting...forcing us to look deeper into ourselves.

As a bilingual (English/french) I have not come across a poetic book translated like this before. I adored it. Reading both languages. Well done to the author, and the translator!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

This book, translated from French, had some beautiful short poems that I really enjoyed. However, the longer prose didn’t quite translate well—it felt choppy and incongruent, making it hard to really connect with the story or feel its depth.

Loved this one. I really enjoyed the way the text was presented with the original poem and the translation. The whole process of translating poetry is so fascinating - how do you translate something that's so personal to the poet? How do you leave no trace of yourself in the translation? Should you even attempt it? - and I know just enough French to be able to really appreciate the work Ali has done here. I will admit that Devi's poetry was a little abstract for my personal tastes, but fans of Rupi Kaur, Nikita Gill, Trista Mateer etc will eat this one up.

This is raw. There is nothing to soften the words. It hits hard. Come prepared but don't miss it. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

The book description identifies the book as “harsh lyric and enigmatic and erotic prose.” I would say this to be accurate— it’s raw and abrupt, while also being rambling and circular.

This angst is real, and the writing is bare and deliberately messy.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of the text in exchange for an honest review.

Translation is an important art. It makes other forms of art accessible to people more. This poem born out of the effort of a writer who translates one can see how delicate language is. It is why it takes time to translate books because a person is not just translating, he is conveying emotions and one wrong move could spell disaster.

I enjoyed reading this poem. Many of them are so relateable and wonderful that even after reading, your mind wanders back to it. A testament of the wonder of Ananda Devi's genius.

Loved this one. I really enjoyed the way the text was presented with the original poem and the translation. The whole process of translating poetry is so fascinating - how do you translate something that's so personal to the poet? How do you leave no trace of yourself in the translation? Should you even attempt it? - and I know just enough French to be able to really appreciate the work Ali has done here. I will admit that Devi's poetry was a little abstract for my personal tastes, but fans of Rupi Kaur, Nikita Gill, Trista Mateer etc will eat this one up.

I rarely read translated books but this one really got to me. I enjoyed that the original text was beside the English translation, that felt like a smart move. Both ananda devi and kazim ali are intelligent.

'Your ears strain to hear
The voices of those absent
Until the night at last
Agrees to speak to you.'

Such a visceral, vivid experience this collection was.

I know a poetry collection has touched me when it ignites my own need to discern the words, to dive deep into them and emerge as something different, someone new. The author created something abysmal here, connecting complex, thought-provoking images with rough, ferocious words. There is sadness behind them, but there are also rage and vehemence.

'You point your finger and the world bends
You focus your gaze and life itself kneels
But an equal stake you are denied.'

The author doesn't explore a single topic, but rather tangles multiple important ones in this complex web of emotions. I loved the majority of this collection, but the bits about writing probably touched me the most.

'without poetry you would have under your fingers only the skeleton of silence'

I would highly recommend this one! I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience these words.

'When the night agrees to speak to me
It is with its back turned'

Very lovely group of poems. Also, I loved the translation from French to English. The imagery was beautiful throughout.