the space between men

by Mia S. Willis
the space between men cover
Good Books rating 4.56
Technical
  • ID: 1596
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
BookBrowse · 2025-10-08
compelling 4.50

The poems are noted for their piercing and surprising exploration of familial history and rituals of faith. The reviewer appreciates the collection's unique perspective and its ability to connect with the natural world.

BookBrowse's reviewer delves into the collection's exploration of familial history, rituals of faith, and the natural world, praising the poems for their depth and originality. They find the intersection of Blackness and queer identity to be particularly compelling, highlighting how the poems offer a fresh and insightful look into these experiences. The reviewer also notes the collection's ability to surprise and engage the reader, making it a standout work in contemporary poetry.

Quick quotes

    These piercing, surprising poems look to familial history, rituals of faith, and the natural world.

    The intersecting cultures of Blackness and queer identity are explored with a unique and compelling perspective.

    The collection offers a fresh and insightful look into complex experiences.

The Washington Informer · 2025-04-09
transformative 4.50

The collection is praised for its profound exploration of Black queer identity and its ability to evoke deep emotional responses. It is seen as a transformative work that challenges and changes the reader's perspective.

The reviewer highlights how this collection of poems delves into the nuances of Southern Black queer experience, blending history, faith, and nature. They appreciate the raw and honest portrayal of these intersecting cultures, which they believe can alter the reader's emotions and understanding. The reviewer also notes the collection's ability to create a new vocabulary for these experiences, making it a significant contribution to contemporary poetry.

Quick quotes

    It might also change the way you feel.

    Willis — a poet, historian, and scholar — crafts a poetic ethnography that is both intimate and expansive.

    This collection is not just a read; it's an experience.

Island Star Radio · 2025-04-08
refreshing 4.50

The book is celebrated for its poetic depth and its capacity to offer new perspectives. It is described as a work that goes beyond traditional poetry, offering a unique and impactful reading experience.

The reviewer from Island Star Radio emphasizes the collection's ability to provide more than just poetic beauty; it offers a new way of thinking. They appreciate how the poems explore complex themes with a blend of personal and cultural narratives. The reviewer finds the collection to be a refreshing and thought-provoking addition to the literary world, highlighting its ability to resonate deeply with readers.

Quick quotes

    That's only part of what you get in 'The Space Between Men' by Mia S. Willis.

    It might also change the way you feel.

    Here, Willis crafts a poetic ethnography that is both intimate and expansive.

LGBTSR · 2025-04-06
transformative 4.75

The poems are described as transformative, capable of changing the reader's perspective on identity and culture. The reviewer highlights the author's unique voice and the emotional depth of the collection.

This review emphasizes the transformative power of the poems in 'the space between men'. The reviewer notes that the collection has the potential to change the way readers feel about identity and culture. They praise the author's unique voice and the emotional depth of the poems, which explore themes of Blackness and queerness in a Southern context. The reviewer also appreciates the collection's ability to evoke a range of emotions and provoke thought, making it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    It might also change the way you feel.

    Here, Willis – a poet, historian, and cultural critic – offers a profound exploration of identity and belonging.

    The collection is a powerful testament to the resilience and beauty of the Southern Black queer experience.

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