Title: To Make Monsters Out of Girls
Author: Amanda Lovelace
First published September 18, 2018
168 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781449494261 (ISBN10: 1449494269)
Rating: 3.74
Overview
“Have you ever loved someone who turned out to be a monster? In her award-winning poetry collection, Amanda Lovelace delves into the haunting memories of an abusive relationship.
With her signature raw and powerful style, she presents the first installment of her illustrated duology, “things that h(a)unt.” To Make Monsters Out of Girls explores the aftermath of loving a monster and being marked by them. Can you truly heal from such trauma, or is the pain forever etched into your soul?
Lovelace poses these timeless questions in this gripping collection of poetry.”
About the Author
Amanda Lovelace is a talented poet from America who gained popularity by sharing her poetic creations on social media platforms like Tumblr and Instagram. She has written a series of books titled ‘women are some kind of magic,’ which includes the award-winning ‘the princess saves herself in this one’ and ‘women are some kind of magic.’
Editoral Review
To Make Monsters Out of Girls is a collection of poetry by Amanda Lovelace, first published on September 18, 2018. Lovelace is a bestselling author and poet known for her feminist themes and powerful messages.
This particular book explores the themes of trauma, abuse, and the strength of the human spirit.
The poems in this collection are divided into three sections: “the princess,” “the damsel,” and “the queen.” Each section represents a different stage in the protagonist’s journey towards healing and empowerment. The protagonist is a young woman who has experienced trauma and abuse at the hands of men.
Through her journey, she discovers her own strength and learns to stand up for herself.
Lovelace’s writing style is simple yet powerful. The poems are written in free verse and often feature short, impactful lines.
The author’s use of metaphor and imagery is particularly strong, as she paints vivid pictures of the protagonist’s experiences. The use of fairy tale imagery is also prominent throughout the book, as the protagonist grapples with the idea of being a “damsel in distress” and learns to reject that role.
One of the strengths of this book is the character development of the protagonist. The reader is taken on a journey through her trauma, recovery, and eventual empowerment.
Lovelace does an excellent job of portraying the complexity of the protagonist’s emotions, as well as the ups and downs of her healing process.
Another strength of the book is its relevance to current events and issues. The #MeToo movement and conversations around sexual assault and harassment are more important now than ever, and this book speaks directly to those issues.
The author also includes a trigger warning at the beginning of the book, acknowledging the difficult subject matter and ensuring that readers can make an informed decision about whether or not to continue reading.
One critique of the book is the repetitive nature of some of the poems. While the use of repetition can be effective in certain cases, it can also become tiresome for the reader.
Additionally, some of the poems feel overly simplistic, lacking the depth and nuance of others in the collection.
Overall, To Make Monsters Out of Girls is a powerful collection of poetry that explores important themes and offers a message of hope and empowerment. It is recommended for readers who are interested in feminist literature, as well as those who are looking for a book that addresses the trauma of sexual assault and abuse.
The book is rated 4 out of 5 stars for its impact, relevance, and messages.
