I received a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

When the Night Agrees to Speak to Me is a collection of poetry by a Mauritian poet. This may be a great read to others, but it wasn't one I connected with personally, unfortunately.
The poems are well written and feature relationships, sexuality, body image, nature, despair and emotions, depression, self-harm, and inner turmoil and feelings with images relating to decay, violence, and darkness. Maybe it was the wrong time for me to pick this book up, I'm not sure, but I just couldn't enjoy it as I'd hoped to. The book is translated, so maybe that was a part of why it didn't connect with me? but the translator did a fantastic job.

The first thing that I want to get out of the way is the following: This book is more interview with the writer and the translator, than it is a poetry collection. This alone already had me deducting a full star. When I pick up a book marked "Poetry" I am expecting it to be more poems than interviews.

Which is such a shame, because the poems themselves are very raw, which I found absolutely delightful. I wanted to see more of that. They are deep and vary in tone, which adds some variety. I really like it when poetry collections do that, because it makes for a surprise when you flip the page.

I also liked that the collection showed the original poems as well, in French. It added to the flow of the poems and made me appreciate them a little more than I already did. I don't speak French that well, but it definitely brought some atmosphere to the book and made it feel more unique.

I did somewhat appreciate the interview-bits, as they gave an insight on the minds of both the poet and the translator. It was interesting to read, but sadly not what I was expecting. I would have liked it better if the book was 1/4th interview and 3/4th poems. It really took away from the whole thing, which is such a shame.

The book delves deeply into the experience of solitude—not as emptiness, but as a space of introspection and transformation. Silence is portrayed not as absence, but as a language of its own, rich with emotional and existential weight.
Devi reflects on fragmented identity, shaped by colonial history, gender, and cultural dislocation. The speaker often grapples with a sense of unbelonging, navigating between languages, geographies, and selves.
The text is intensely embodied, with frequent references to the physical and emotional experiences of womanhood. Themes of vulnerability, desire, pain, and resilience are explored through poetic reflections on the body.
Language itself is a central theme—its limitations, its power, and its role in shaping consciousness. Devi’s poetic style challenges conventional narrative forms, using lyrical fragmentation to mirror the complexity of inner life.
The night symbolizes introspection, mystery, and the subconscious. It becomes a companion, a witness, and a space where hidden truths can surface. The title itself suggests a pact with darkness—a willingness to confront what is usually left unspoken.
There’s a recurring sense of mourning—both personal and collective. Memory is treated as a living entity, constantly reshaping the present. The poems often evoke a longing for what has been lost or forgotten.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully titled book full of equally beautiful and powerful words - for the most part. I really loved the majority of this book, the flow of the words and the stories we were being told through them about the author's life. Ananda Devi writes with a rawness that leaves a mark and pulls emotion to the forefront. Unfortunately, some of the later poems felt more disjointed or like something was being held back. I'm not sure why? Perhaps some of the poems lost something in translation. I still am glad I got to read this book though and hope to pick up more of Devi's work in the future.

Note: I actually rated this book 3.25 stars, but Goodreads only allows full star ratings.

I have already read two novels by Amanda Devi, "Le Sari Vert" and "Eve de ses décombres", as well as the fantastic collection of stories "L'ambassadeur triste". This was my first encounter with the author’s poetry, and I am truly captivated by her sensitivity and keen observation. Her words, beautifully rendered in translation by the remarkable Kazim Ali, guide the reader through an extraordinary world, sometimes starkly literal, at other times fleeting and ethereal.
This beautiful collection of exquisite poems is published with exceptional care and features a stunning bilingual layout. A true gem.
Amanda Devi’s poetry invites readers not only to witness the depth of human experience but also to feel the delicate interplay of memory, identity, and place. It’s a work that lingers long after the last page is turned, opening doors to new emotional landscapes and perspectives.

Deep, raw, emotional stunning
I really liked this poetry collections it was very unique and beautiful.

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.