really enjoyed this book, The magic, the power, the raw and honest emotion, the magnificent prose and storytelling Nikita Gill is truly an exceptional writer and The Girl and the Goddess is absolutely one of the best pieces I've read in a damn long time.
I'm in love with this book, I think I've been waiting for it all my life, It's beautifully written and so powerful and compelling and completely enchanting, After having read the reviews which recommend reading if you are a fan of poets Rupi Kaur and Amanda Lovelace and always being fascinated by Indian culture I couldn't wait to read this.
I really enjoyed how the poems and stories link together and span over the course of Paro's life, Athough other poets also show growth of their main character through different sections, I liked how this book is specifically organized by childhood, teenage and adult years, I loved how the author includes conversations with the gods and goddesses and the stories behind them to help highlight the lessons Paro learns as she matures, I admit, I find Hindu mythology a bit confusing, but I feel Gill portrays the tales in a way that seemed easier to understand,
Gill does an incredible job of bringing Paro to life, The themes she includes, such as poverty, sexual abuse, bullying, and homophobia are absolutely devastating but she does an amazing job of giving insight regarding life in India, and of surviving such horrific acts.
Although I grew up privileged and can't relate to growing up in a third world country, I empathize with her for not feeling accepted for who I am, and being treated like an outcast.
In this way I found Paro incredibly relatable, For the entirety of the book I found myself rooting for her and wanting to give her a hug, She is the friend I would have loved to have when I was growing up, She pulled at my heartstrings thinking of the tragic things she experienced, Although this book was often sad, it was uplifting, It just shows that we really do rise up out of ashes, coming out bigger and better than ever,
This book was exactly what I needed, I can't describe it well enough to give it proper justice, But I highly recommend. This book is so encouraging, It's like someone understands what you have gone through and extends her hands to you,
Beautiful. Unputdownable seems to be a word and I can assure you that it fits this book perfectly, Reading transports you to the borders of Kashmir, India, London and to the fantastic mind of the hero as she grows up and develops into an exciting young woman, Nikita Gill has deftly woven the storyline and the Mythology of Gods and Goddess' into a superb read, The prose and poetry are stunning, powerful and integral to the whole thing, I love this book so much, Nikita Gill constantly wows me, If you're on the fence, come on over, This is a good purchased that you won't regret, The art is as good as the prose! I love everything Nikita has written and this is no exception, Beautiful, emotional, empowering. Would highly recommend. There are no words to describe how deeply connected this book has made me feel to the universe, I could not put it down, This book fills and breaks my heart over and over and over again, A must read for any female of any age or background or heritage, I love that I can pick it up anytime and read for a minute or an hour, its just written that way, Lends itself well to a busy life with small children, I was not expecting how beautifully woven this book would be, I dont know if Ive ever read a novel that is a series of poems, So it was really easy to go through as well, Nikita Gill is a wonderful poet and the drawings accompanying some of the poems are so beautiful, I didnt expect to cry and feel my heart break in both wonder and agony and it did, I also loved learning about the Gods and Goddesses in stories that made them feel “real” to me, I cant wait to reccomend this book to people ! It is not my story but so many parts of myself were found in reading Paro's story,
The poems flow so seamlessly with the myths and legends creating a beautiful read, Nikita Gill is my favourite poet, She captures everything I want from poetry, encompassing mythology, folklore and legend so beautifully that I feel like I'm in a fairytale her voice resonates entirely with me, This anthology completely bombed in comparison and I hardly know what to say to formulate how sad that makes me,
The collection is unique in that Gill approaches this as a story, rather than a collection of poetry surrounding similar themes, This is very different to her usual style, and to styles I typically read, but I actually really liked that it feel like a novelisation of a single persons experiences from early childhood through to University, replete with all of the enjoyment and disappointments that might bring.
Gill also provides unique insight into what life growing up within particular cultures might feel like, Having said that, I found it really hard to connect with that narrative voice, character or story for some reason I was just bored, Completely and utterly bored there was one poem in the entire anthology that I enjoyed, One.
All of the poetry felt like it was super dry, with no impact and nothing clever or beautiful in its creation, Whilst I'm sad to have not enjoyed this, I'm most upset that now I'll likely approach Gill's poetry with hesitation than my previous instant preorder technique, Bestselling poet, writer, and Instagram sensation Nikita Gill returns with an innovative novel in verse, exploring Hindu mythology and legend,
Let her be a little less human, a little divine
Give her heart armor so it doesnt break as easily as mine
Meet Paro.
A girl with a strong will, a full heart, and much to learn, Born into a family reeling from the ruptures of Partition in India, we follow her as she crosses the precarious lines between childhood, teenage discovery, and realizing her adult self.
In the process, Paro must confront fear, desire and the darkest parts of herself in the search for meaning and, ultimately, empowerment,
Nikita Gills vivid poetry and beautiful illustrations have captured hearts and imaginations but in The Girl and the Goddess, she offers us her most personal and deeply felt writing to date: an intimate coming of age story told in linked poems that offers a look into the Hindu mythology and rich cultural influences that helped her become the woman she is today.
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