
Member Reviews

Since assault is one of the topics that I struggle to read about, I always approach books like this with caution. I love that it’s told in verse and that so much of the book focuses on finding and holding onto hope in the midst of hard times/trauma/processing hard feelings.
For example, Jeannine writes often about her admiration for and study of the work of Sylvia Plath. As she reads her work and learns about her life, she struggles to hold both her genius and her mistakes in her hand at the same time. That can be uncomfortable, but it’s SO real. It feels especially real to me right now.
In one poem, she talks about studying literature in college (in the 1970s) and how work by women tends to be trivialized. One of her peers talks about how he doesn’t want to read about bodies or boyfriends because it makes him uncomfortable.
At one point she shares a story about a girl and her mother and the difficulty of their relationship. One of her classmates minimized the experience, but others push back. “I see myself, [in the story]” one classmate tells the group. The professor agrees.
Which highlights, to me, the importance of writing about uncomfortable experiences and reading about them.
This is NOT to say you shouldn’t have boundaries and be safe. Please do that. There is a very real difference between discomfort and trauma. Discomfort can be okay (when you’re safe). Trauma isn’t okay.
Knocking on Windows is the first book by Jeannine Atkins that I’ve ever read. I checked my library to see if they had more of her work, but it looks like if I want to read more, I’ll have to buy it! I do want to read more.
Readers who enjoy verse memoirs or reading about writers or writing will find lots to love in this one. I love the way she connects the work of other writers with her experiences and thinks about those writers as living breathing people, too. This book gave me lots to think about. I will probably read it more than once, when all is said and done.

Wow. Knocking on Windows isn’t just a memoir—it’s a gut-punch wrapped in poetry. Told entirely in verse, this powerful book follows Jeannine as she returns home from college, trying to piece herself back together after surviving rape. And while the subject matter is heavy, the way it’s told? Absolutely stunning.
Jeannine writes poem-letters to fierce women—real and imagined—as she slowly reclaims her voice and identity. It’s raw, it’s honest, and at times it’ll leave you in tears or full of rage (sometimes both). The imagery throughout is masterful, and somehow, in the middle of all the heartbreak, there’s hope.
This isn’t just a book—it’s a tribute to survivors and the power of poetry to heal. It’s hard and beautiful and brave as hell. If you read it, don’t be surprised if it stays with you for a long, long time.

Knocking on Windows is a brilliant memoir told in verse that tackles what healing looks like after a traumatic event, in this case, sexual assault. Its always rough to review non-fiction, especially memoir, because I feel like I'm writing about the author's real story,but in this case, I'm focusing more on how this story is shared with the reader. This story tackles this heavy topic in a way that takes you on the processing journey along with Atkins. Thank you Atkins for sharing something so personal with the reader and allowing us to look into your journey with this specific event and see just how much of your life it impacted.

I usually love memoirs in verse, but I wasn’t in the right place when I was reading this. It’s based on the author’s life--specifically following her sexual assault in college. There were a lot of classic literature references and it was bleak (rightfully so for the subject matter). This is definitely a case of “it’s not you, it’s me.” I just am no in the place to read this right now.

Knocking on Windows by Jeannine Atkins is a powerfully honest and beautifully written memoir-in-verse that dives deep into the raw, tumultuous journey of healing after trauma. Atkins bravely revisits her past, exposing the pain and confusion of early adulthood, and eloquently captures the struggle to reclaim one’s voice in the face of adversity. Through lyrical letter-poems addressed to literary giants like Sylvia Plath, Maya Angelou, and Emily Dickinson, Atkins finds solace and strength in the words of women who have faced their own battles. This poetic form beautifully encapsulates her vulnerability, resilience, and hope, making her story resonate on a deeply emotional level. The narrative also bravely tackles the pervasive misogyny and disbelief faced by survivors in academic spaces, adding layers of complexity and courage to her journey. Atkins’s honesty and openness serve as a beacon for anyone who has struggled with trauma or sought to find their voice amidst doubt and silence. While the journey is painful at times, there is an undeniable sense of empowerment woven throughout the pages. Knocking on Windows celebrates resilience, healing, and the transformative power of writing. I give it 4 stars—an essential read for those who believe in the enduring strength of the human spirit and the importance of speaking out.

“Can you be brave if you have no choice?”
Thank you to SIMON Teen for the NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Though this book doesn’t come out until August, April is Poetry month and so I thought it was fitting. It is always hard to rate nonfiction, so I am
Rating the prose and delivery over story. I thought the prose was beautiful. What a creative way to tell a difficult story.

This was such a beautiful memoir and I loved reading it! It feels wrong to review nonfiction, but I truly loved Jeannine's writing style and felt this was such a creative way to tell her story. I could feel so many different emotions evoked while reading.

It’s a bit difficult to write a review for nonfiction but this was such a creative way to tell this story. It was raw and filled with rage, grief, and empowerment. Getting help and letting your voice be heard were very relevant in this. I really enjoyed the writing style, it was so beautifully done.
Enjoyability: 7/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Quote: ❝The furious mother split time into seasons, ripped off green leaves, clenched them until they crumbled in chilled air.❞