As a reader, I do my best to read all forms of media and POUKAHANGATUS did not dissapoint. This collect of poems hit me like a wave of emotions I did not expect. The author captivated me and I could put the book down. Poetry is meant to make me you think.

This collection of poems is a lot. It is very atmospheric, it feels intimate and it makes you feel. I particularly liked all of the allusions to greek mythology and to modern or fairly recent cultural concepts.

I have to be honest that I only flipped through this briefly when I downloaded it over a year ago but the bits I did read were enjoyable.

Miigweetch to Knopf and Netgalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

This poetry collection, much of which is written in a stream of consciousness style, is, admittedly, not for every. But it was for me. Five stars. I will not be taking further questions.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into by requesting this title but I am so happy I did. There's so much variety in structure and content, but everything is still connected. This collection is honest in a way that is raw and brutal, making it feel like an intimate conversation with the author.

This collection was very strong and I enjoyed their voice especially as they were entirely new to me.

It is so difficult to find mainstream Indigenous and feminist poetry collections, so I'm thrilled that Tayi Tibble's writing is getting the praise it clearly deserves. I admire how Tibble isn't afraid to question all of her choices in this collection, specifically when it comes to social media, cancel culture, and personal beliefs. Tibble weaves in intricate and timely references to pop culture and makes historical connections between various mythologies. This is a stunning piece of intersectional feminist writing and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy for my bookshelf.

3 stars

Published: 7/26/22

**ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Basics
genre: poetry, Indigenous
themes: colonization, gender, Indigenous culture and identity, death and grief, assimilation

Pros
+ that phenomenal cover
+ Greek, Māori, feminist, kiwi mythos
+ snake & Medusa imagery
+ discussion of hair as power
+ ocean and mermaid imagery
+ favorite poems: "Nobody in the Water," "Christmas," "Baptism"
+ Part 2 was my favorite section due to the use of stanzas and occasional rhythm

Neutral
/ Part 1 was the weakest, Part 2 was the strongest, and Part 3 was a mixed bag

Cons
- I'm not the intended audience for this and I'm sure I'm not properly understanding it. Please refer to reviewers who may be more fitting.
- Stream of consciousness poem style, which isn't my favorite

Comp Recs
+ There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce - Morgan Parker
+ Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth - Warsan Shire

I wanted to love this as I often want to love poetry books. I can't, in good faith, leave a positive or negative review. I'm not quite sure if I didn't like it or if I didn't understand it. I appreciate the representation of the inigenous female voice regardless.

3.5 stars***

An interesting and amusing collection! Tayi Tibble has a way of making their insights into comedy. I liked it, though I did find it difficult to connect with personally. Perhaps just not my flavour of poetry! That being said, I would recommend this collection to folks who want something fresh, contemporary, witty, and from a unique Indigenous perspective. I also appreciated the ways that Maori culture is centered in this book.

Poukahangatus by Tayi Tibble is a moving collection of poetry that highlights the authors life as an Indigenous woman. Her poem titled Agenda was my favorite of the collection and I believe it highlights the authors sharp emotional writing style as well as her unique storyteller voice. This is a beautiful book of poetry with a viewpoint that the reader should read and meditate on.

I love work that interrogates / reimagines / generally plays with myth and legend and the present and this collection carries that in spades. Refreshing, invigorating, emotionally deep -- I'll be coming back to these poems the rest of my days.

Many of these feels more like inti3thoughts and essays versus poems. Some were hit and miss and some were pointed. The words and flow didn't seem to connect. But it was an interesting and eye opening dive into another's thoughts and life.

I really wanted to love Poukahangatus by Tayi Tibble but I feel like most of the poems went over my head. I was trying to catch a deeper meaning and find the connection but often felt disappointed when I reached the end of the poem. Maybe it was me but I would definitely give the poet another go in the future.

Maybe it's me
I'm going to reread this again
Hopefully I'll be able to get into it.

But I just wasn't able to finish this unfortunately

"all anyone ever does around here is / grow weed and stare / into burnt- out houses / into the rabbit hole / into the cards / into the skin / and roll their cars / their eyes / their r’s / their cigarettes / and kick snow / kick rugby balls / kick each other / kick bad habits / only to find another / like an eel / in the creek / in the backyard / in the dark / in winter / and try to kill it on the rocks / chase the girls / in a shed / a bathtub / a bed / with wet fingers / eyes / tongues / and T-shirts / from spilled beer / spilled cum / spilled blood / spilled secrets / bad boys / with bad skin / bad tattoos / and bad reputations / because here / all anyone ever does is / swear / across their hearts / at referees / at other drivers / taking to the road / cos all anyone ever wants around here is / out / of home / of the closet / of the relationship / of the sixth-storey window / open it / to the cold / to the clouds / to the sky / cos all anyone ever does around here is / dive /"

In all honesty, it was the gorgeous cover that first piqued my interest concerning this anthology. The synopsis heightened my interest and the wonders immediately found instead convinced me that I had made the correct choice in picking this up. Look at the power, the rawness, the perfect placement of words featured in the snippet above and tell me I was not wrong?

Throughout this anthology, Tibble explores her identity as a twenty-first-century Indigenous woman and I appreciated the insight to their culture just as much as the rich language used to evoke it.

Wow, this is a beautiful collection of poetry. I was enthralled with this book of works and the lyrical forum they took on each page. Absolutely beautiful.

There’s undeniable heart in these poems and a clear desire to share personal and cultural experience. Unfortunately, that intention was the only anchor in this collection for me; an intention that didn’t always connect to the execution of each poem. Tibble is a young poet, although accomplished in performance, and it feels like these poems needed more time to develop.

Sharing this book on socials to promote this author without critical review.

Thank you to Knopf for this ARC - out 26 July!

In her American debut collection, Tayi Tibble has created modern, rooted poems that tie in her Māori upbringing with mythos and feminist movements from around the world. Her poems spring from the joy and death that the ocean brings, to the ways that class and race become tantalizing playgrounds as soon as horny teens hit high school. This was a wonderful read, and something I’m definitely going to go back to the next time I find myself near some crashing waves.
Fave poems:
Poukahangatus
Cowboys and Indians
Vampires versus Werewolves


Read If You Like:
Moana
Reading essays critiquing the accuracy of the Pocahontas myth
Diana Clarke’s books, particularly “The Hop”

Through visceral and entertaining poems, Tayi Tibble makes her American debut; her language is striking and stripped back, and touches on life as a modern Indigenous woman in New Zealand. Included in Apartment Therapy's July "New Book" Roundup.