There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce Paperback – February 14, 2017

I have enjoyed this woman's wonderful poetry; her honesty and straight forwardness is refreshing . Her work is relatable and engaging . A must -read .Thank you for writing this book Morgan .Respectfully,Tami

I am not usually a poetry reader, but lately I’ve been in a lyrical mood. Parker’s collection popped up on Amazon’s suggestions of things I might like, next to my eye cream and ink cartridges. It’s probably not a good idea to read an entire book of poetry, now matter how short, in one sitting, but I did. It’s difficult for me to talk about this collection because it’s one of the many things about which I wonder: is this made for me? What I can do without an answer to that question is appreciate the sheer power of Parker’s words. These poems mix everything (race, gender, class, personhood, etc. etc.) together in one glass, but nothing gets diluted. I am constantly reminded that I don’t understand. These poems make me uncomfortable yet right at home. This collection is incredibly present and urgent, but reflective like a eulogy. When you finish a book and you don’t know what to do next, that’s usually a good sign.

I first encountered Morgan Parker's work when I read "The President Has Never Said the Word Black" in The New York Times. It was a deeply moving piece of writing, so when I learned that she had a forthcoming poetry collection, I became determined to read it. The collection starts off with a bang. The opening poem, "All They Want Is My Money My Pussy My Blood" is textured, disjointed and layered. It builds and builds and builds, immersing the reader in historical fact, numerous popular culture references, and tons of clever critique. Parker uses her poems to explore the themes of possession and self-ownership, the imminence of death, meaning of commodification, economies of desire, technology, appropriation, depression, and, of course, the shapes of Black womanhood. Her style shifts with each and every poem. Some poems are written a form that makes their meanings clear while others require the reader to read between and beneath the verses. The collection isn't about Beyoncé per se, but rather the vexed sociopolitical and sociocultural critiques that have been thrust upon Beyoncé, the burdens she's been appointed to carry. My favorite poems included "The Gospel of Jesus's Wife," "What Beyoncé Won't Say on a Shrink's Couch," and "Please Wait (Or, There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé." Parker's brilliant style is difficult; she forces her reader to be present and do the hard work of thinking carefully and critically.I received an ARC of this book from the author and publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Her writing is concise and vivid. A few lines really stunned me. I appreciate the raw honesty of her words and the blatant demonstrations of stereotypes. My favorite poems were "Heaven Be a Xanax," "Welcome to the Jungle," and "Funeral for the Black Dog."

Parker's poems are feminist fire. There are so many good lines in them, but my favorite are from "It's Getting Hot in Here So Take Off All Your Clothes": "I cut out men's tongues & / I sharpen myself & I'm scary & I'm bossy: / I'm the chick who raises snakes like a volcano / spews its desert under pressure. Volcanic / in the streets & volcanic in the bed." "Boss / you all night long. & of course I mean sex / but I mean teaching, too. Black girl rage, flawless. / This diamond my diamond in a volcano's / hot, lost city. & I do not mean helpless." Highly recommended collection of sizzling poems.

These poems aren't an easy read. It sometimes took me two rereads just to digest the words of one of her poems; however, this is powerful stuff. Parker holds up a unique lens to our culture, to womanhood, to feminism, to black culture that shouldn't be ignored. I loved it. My friends and I are using this book next month for our book club and I can't wait to discuss it with them.

I did not buy this book for its provocative cover (although it sure does make me think all sorts of things when I look at it). Morgan Parker is one defining poet of this new world we all seem to muddling through as angry confused fools. Reading Parker makes me feel like maybe we aren't just going to muddle through to some new calm but we're actually going to transcend our confusion and figure out how to be smart again. Certainly our American idiomatic reality is pushed to new heights, our language gets new meanings too and poetry takes back some of the power it has relinquished to other art forms.

One of the most stunning pieces of literature I have read in a while. The only thing I can say is that I felt like this collection of poems read me; I didn't read it. It's a most needed perspective of the lives of young black women, their struggles, and their modernity, as told through poetry. This work grounded me. Worth the read!

This collection is as fun and poignant as its title, and its epigraph: “The president is black / She black – Kendrick Lamar.” It takes a bold poet to be confident enough in their own voice to write a book about Beyonce, and a skilled one to do it so well. Parker takes a critical (and appreciative) lens to pop culture and how her speaker interacts with it as a Black woman. My favourite poem is a reinvention of Wallace Stevens’ of almost the same name: “13 Ways of Looking at a Black Girl.” You will be cooler for having this book on your shelf.

Loved this book from the moment I opened it, such serious matters written in a way that the mind can digest and sometimes with a pinch of salt, very beautifully written

An excellent poetry book from a phenomenal strong female voice. I could not put it down. All these poems are wise, sage, creative, and powerful.

great book!

An amazing collection of poetry!