Soft Science

by Franny Choi
Soft Science cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Poetry
Technical:
  • ID: 744
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-19
  • ISBN: 9781938584992
  • Published: 2019-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

In Soft Science, Choi crafts a collection that intertwines complex emotions with vivid imagery, creating a tapestry of mystical and real-world experiences. The poems delve into the intricacies of human emotion and perception, offering a unique and thought-provoking journey. /n/n Choi's work is known for its ability to blend the ethereal with the tangible, making Soft Science a compelling read for those who appreciate poetry that challenges and inspires. The collection is a testament to Choi's skill in capturing the essence of human experiences in a way that resonates deeply with readers.

Reviews
Honey Literary · Maya Williams · 2025-09-19
thought-provoking 4.00

This book challenges the traditional dichotomy between softness and hardness, exploring how individuals can define themselves beyond societal expectations. The reviewer appreciates the nuanced approach to gender theory and personal expression.

Maya Williams from Honey Literary highlights how Franny Choi's 'Soft Science' dismantles the rigid categories of softness and hardness, offering a fresh perspective on identity and self-definition. The reviewer finds Choi's exploration of gender theory both subtle and impactful, particularly when it intersects with personal, intimate experiences. Williams praises the collection for its ability to challenge and redefine societal norms, making it a thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    In dismantling the dichotomy between softness and hardness, Choi's book reveals how humans can decide beyond who/what they are required to please.

    The collection offers a nuanced approach to gender theory.

    Choi's exploration of identity is both subtle and impactful.

Strange Horizons · Lesley Wheeler · 2019-10-21
brilliant 4.50

Lesley Wheeler finds the book brilliant but challenging, noting that Choi's use of a 'Glossary of Terms' poem subverts expectations of accessibility. They appreciate the complexity and depth of the collection.

Lesley Wheeler from Strange Horizons describes 'Soft Science' as a brilliant but not easy read. They note that Franny Choi's decision to begin with a 'Glossary of Terms' poem mocks the idea of accessibility, adding a layer of complexity to the collection. Wheeler appreciates the depth and intricacy of Choi's work, finding it both challenging and rewarding. The reviewer highlights the unique approach to exploring identity and the intersections of race, sexuality, and technology.

Quick quotes

    Soft Science is a brilliant but not an easy book.

    Choi more or less mocks the idea of accessibility by beginning with a poem called 'Glossary of Terms.'

    The collection is both challenging and rewarding.

PANK Magazine · 2019-05-30
engaging 4.25

The reviewer appreciates the blend of gender theory and personal poetry, finding the collection both intimate and intellectually stimulating. They highlight the effectiveness of the subtle theoretical scaffolding that supports the personal narratives.

The reviewer from PANK Magazine commends Franny Choi's 'Soft Science' for its seamless integration of gender theory with deeply personal poetry. They find the collection to be intellectually stimulating, particularly through its subtle theoretical framework that enriches the personal narratives. The reviewer is drawn to the intimate and human elements of the poems, which make the theoretical discussions more relatable and impactful.

Quick quotes

    All of the subtle gender theory scaffolding the collection does wonders when we land on intimate, personal poems from a human speaker who longs ...

    The blend of theory and personal narrative is both effective and engaging.

    The collection is intellectually stimulating and deeply personal.

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