mary wants to be a superwoman

by erica lewis
mary wants to be a superwoman cover
Good Books rating 4.2
Poetry
Technical:
  • ID: 747
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-19
  • ISBN: 9780996401616
  • Published: 2017-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

Mary Wants to Be a Superwoman is a collection of poems that draw their titles from Stevie Wonder's iconic songs, weaving a narrative about a family's experiences with race and culture in America. Each poem is a lyrical exploration of identity, resilience, and the complexities of growing up in a society shaped by both struggle and hope. Through the lens of Stevie Wonder's music, the book offers a unique and powerful perspective on the African American experience, blending personal storytelling with universal themes that resonate across cultures. It's a testament to the enduring power of music and poetry to capture the essence of human experience.

Reviews
Third Man Books · 2025-04-04
poignant 4.20

The book recounts the family's history with a focus on the voices of the women, offering a poignant exploration of race and gender.

The reviewer highlights the book's focus on the family's history, particularly the voices of the women, and how it weaves together themes of race and gender. They appreciate the poetic craftsmanship and the way Lewis revisits her family's oral history to create a deeply personal and resonant collection. The reviewer also notes the emotional depth and the way the poems capture the complexities of identity and heritage.

Quick quotes

    Poet Erica Lewis' Mary Wants to Be a Superwoman recounts her family's history, their voices within that history — especially the women.

    Lewis takes on revising the confessional while taking inspiration from her family's own oral history.

    Each poem is framed by phrases from the lyrics, adding a layer of richness to the reading experience.

Oprah Daily · 2021-04-01
celebrated 4.50

The book is celebrated as one of the best poetry books, recommended by acclaimed writers for its unique exploration of family history and identity.

The reviewer praises the book as one of the best poetry collections, highlighting its unique exploration of family history and identity. They appreciate the way Lewis's poems delve into the complexities of race and gender, offering a poignant and deeply personal narrative. The reviewer also notes the emotional resonance and the way the poems capture the voices of the women in Lewis's family, making it a standout collection.

Quick quotes

    Mary Wants to Be a Superwoman by Erica Lewis is one of the best poetry books.

    The poems delve into the complexities of race and gender.

    The collection offers a poignant and deeply personal narrative.

Goodreads · 2017-04-04
moving 3.90

The book contains moving pieces and is enjoyable overall. The melancholy arc of balancing past and present is particularly noteworthy.

The reviewer found the collection deeply moving, appreciating the emotional depth and the way it balances past and present. They particularly enjoyed the melancholic tone and the way the poems explore the complexities of family history and personal identity. The reviewer also highlighted the unique structure and the way each poem is framed by phrases from lyrics, adding a layer of richness to the reading experience.

Quick quotes

    There were some really moving pieces in this book, and I really enjoyed it overall.

    The melancholy arc of having one foot in the past and one in the present.

    Each poem is framed by phrases from the lyrics, adding a layer of richness.

Appears in Lists