Book Review for Dead Dad Jokes
Full review for this title will be posted at: @cattleboobooks on Instagram!

"and i tell him maybe, we'll see, as if there is any other way to be with my father except standing over the body of a dead thing, fingers digging for an exit wound."

Dead Dad Jokes really resonated with me. This collection of poetry details the complications of navigating a difficult relationship with a father as you struggle with your own issues of identity, growing up, healing, etc. I didn't realize that this collection would hit so close to my personal life, but multiple poems hit me right in the heart, making me pause to think about my own relationship with my father.

If you enjoy heavy, deepfelt poems, pick this up immediately.

This book is definitely not for the weak of heart or injury. The author is descriptive, dark, and honest about the death of their father, as referenced in the title. I personally didn't hate or love it, but I think it is definitely something that needs to be out there for other people to read as well.

4.5 stars

Some really f**king good poems about how family—in both life & death—hurts, sucks, & somehow simultaneously can be something really good. Also about grief & queerness. They’re really good, worth sitting with for a few hours.

[What I liked:]

•I liked every single poem. They are beautiful & authentic, capturing the ironies & tragedies of caring for a dying person you have really complicated feelings for. There is reverence but also laughter & fury. There is nothing fluffy or superfluous. I found meaning on every page. I feel seen as I’m in a very different yet very similar process of caregiving.

•I don’t want to call the writing raw, because the words are definitely crafted thoughtfully. Polished isn’t a good description neither, because these poems are too honest & real to be polite. But raw fits in the sense of a vital pulsing energy that’s running through the words & images & thoughts & memories. So many words that resonate & flash clear images in my head, but it’s not pretentious, it’s like having a conversation with someone & listening to them share what’s in them.

•The collection feels cohesive because all the poems are related to the titular theme, but the content isn’t repetitive. Different aspects are explored, including physical realities, emotional responses, memories that get stirred up, the illness, the moment of death, the process of grieving afterwards in public & private, etc.


[What I didn’t like as much:]

•I just wish there was more to read, I could’ve kept going. I’ll be checking out more of this poet’s work.

CW: mentions of substance abuse, mentions of transphobia & misgendering, terminal illness

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!

I can't put into words how much this book resonated with me. The discussion of losing a father and what that entails in terms of grief, life carrying on, 'dad jokes' and so much more... left me both speechless and feeling so seen. I have loved slam poetry for years and it has been my own catharsis throughout my experience grieving and reading this brought me to tears. Whilst this collection was extremely moving, I also absolutely adored the humour intertwined within the hardship. I found myself laughing out loud during so many points which was such a pleasant surprise and it really did highlight the importance of making light of devastating situations.

This came to me at the perfect time and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to read it. Ollie Schminkey's writing is not only beautiful, but so real and so incredibly raw. Their way with words was OUTSTANDING and its no question that they are a new favourite poet of mine.

It’s always so difficult for me to rate another person’s feelings and emotions - like I feel like that is in no way my place. However, I read this ARC for a review, so I guess I kinda have to now.

I really enjoyed this book of poetry, it’s completely unlike any other poetry book I’ve read and really reminds me a lot of my own poetry. They write with such raw emotion, and intertwine past traumas, comedy, and their own pain into each and every poem. A hard hitting poetry book about past trauma, alcoholism, death, all while attempting to be who they truly are - I highly encourage you all to read it! The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because I think I need a second read (since the shock has worn off) and really take time to let it all sink in. I hate having to review so quickly after I finish!

I will absolutely be picking up more form this author.

*3.8/5

This book gave me so many mixed feelings.
The style is definitely unconventional and doesn't read like any of the other poem collections I have read.
But then again, Ollie Schminkey is a slam poet, and I am not familiar with that.

The author literally pours their heart out and provide beautiful (even though not always flattering) imagery, all while mourning a distant and an alcoholic dad. I loved how raw, complicated and real the emotions were, and I loved walking through the author's mind, from their dad's sickness all through the process of recovery.

Although, I will admit that some poems I didn't like as much and some others, I believe would have been more powerful had they been shortened. But then again that's a personal preference.

As someone who also had to deal with the death of a close family member who had been sick for a long long time (my -almost- quadriplegic grandfather who after a stroke, spent the last 36 years of his life been cared for by the family) some of the poems and the sentiments really resonated with me (yeah, even the poems that were about the negative side of their dad, despite my grandfather being a literal angel).

I am going to end the review here before I get more emotional. Overall this was a positive reading experience and I hope we get to read more from the author.

If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)

I received a free e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In her book, Dead Dad Jokes, the author tactfully addresses their grief of losing her father & brings it to light for the readers. They are unashamed to talk about their struggles and coping mechanisms. With their blatant and unflinching ability to grip the readers with a peculiar yet arresting sense of honesty, Ollie delivers a spectacular & one-of-a-kind book.

*ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

This book has vivid imagery and is a great exploration of grieving a parent you weren't close to until they were near the end. It seems to have an unnamed but clear theme of forgiveness. I do feel that Ollie's work evokes much more emotion when read aloud and I found this collection didn't really flow as well in my head as I had hoped.

3,5 stars

Tw / death, alcohol addiction

I think these poems are heartbreaking and show the struggle of death and addiction both when the authors dad was alive and when he was death. For a debut book this was excellent and I hope this helped them deal with their grief even just a little. I always find poetry the hardest thing to rate because it's so personal especially with topics like this, who am I to say if it's bad when it's their own personal experience. I will definitely be looking out for future books of this author they have my interest.

Not especially wowed by this collection. There's a definite theme that the poet is focusing on, and while I liked the exploration into grief and how there's no one right way to grieve, the poems themselves felt a little too repetitive for me.