Hunger

by Alice Derry, Knut Hamsun
Hunger cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Biography and Memoir
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  • ID: 758
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2026-04-11
  • ISBN: 9781472151124
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2017-06-13
  • Formats: 68
  • Reviews: 4

In Hunger, Roxane Gay delves into her personal struggles with food and body image, using her own experiences to shed light on broader societal issues. She candidly discusses the turning points in her life, including a traumatic event that significantly impacted her relationship with her body. Through her intimate and honest narrative, Gay invites readers to reflect on the complexities of pleasure, consumption, and self-care. /n/n Gay's writing is both vulnerable and authoritative, offering a unique perspective on what it means to navigate the world in a body that society often overlooks. Her exploration of these themes is not only deeply personal but also universally resonant, making Hunger a compelling and necessary read.

Reviews
The List · Tess Gallagher · 2022-08-16
resonant 4.00

The reviewer finds the collection deeply personal and resonant, particularly for those who appreciate astrological insights. It is considered a significant addition to the genre of poetry.

In this review, Tess Gallagher shares her personal connection to Hunger by Alice Derry, noting how it speaks to the Capricorn spirit. She finds the poems to be deeply introspective and emotionally resonant, making it a must-read for those who identify with the Capricorn traits. Gallagher appreciates the way Derry weaves personal experiences with broader themes, creating a collection that is both intimate and universal. She believes that the collection offers a unique perspective that will resonate with a wide audience.

Quick quotes

    It's why if you're a Capricorn Rising, you really need to read Alice Derry's Hunger.

    In her review of the collection, Tess Gallagher told ...

    Alice Derry's Hunger is a beautifully observed, broad-reaching, and ultimately political collection of poems--political in the best and necessary sense

OprahDaily · 2021-04-01
powerful 4.50

The collection is praised for its raw emotional power and its ability to connect with contemporary readers. It is seen as a timeless piece that resonates deeply with themes of hunger and survival.

This review highlights how Hunger by Alice Derry is a collection that transcends time, speaking to the universal experience of hunger in all its forms. The reviewer appreciates the emotional depth and the political undertones that make the poems relevant even today. They suggest that the poems are not just about physical hunger but also about the hunger for justice, love, and understanding. The collection is seen as a powerful exploration of these themes, making it a must-read for anyone looking for poetry that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    Hunger by Alice Derry is a word-stone hurled into the present from a time when her parents let their children go hungry while pursuing religious ...

    Alice Derry's Hunger is a beautifully observed, broad-reaching, and ultimately political collection of poems--political in the best and necessary sense

    It's why if you're a Capricorn Rising, you really need to read Alice Derry's Hunger.

Stargazer Online · 2020-04-01
intense 4.50

This novel is a must-read for those interested in existential literature, focusing intensely on the human mind. It is a powerful and intense exploration of existential despair.

Stargazer Online's review emphasizes the novel's appeal to readers fascinated by existential literature. The reviewer finds Hamsun's work to be strong and intense, focusing on the human mind and its struggles. They highlight the novel's exploration of existential despair, which they find particularly compelling. The reviewer suggests that Hamsun's writing is ahead of its time and continues to be relevant today. They also note that the novel's intense focus on the protagonist's inner turmoil makes it a powerful read.

Quick quotes

    If you are fascinated by existential literature focusing on the human mind, Hunger is a must-read.

    Strong stuff, indeed.

    Hamsun has been called a pioneer of psychological literature.

Alice Derry's Official Website · 2018-01-01
evocative 4.30

The collection is noted for its feminist edge and its exploration of various forms of hunger. It is seen as a significant contribution to contemporary poetry.

This review from Alice Derry's official website highlights the feminist themes present in Hunger. The reviewer appreciates how the collection delves into the different hungers experienced by women, from physical hunger to the hunger for equality and justice. They find the poems to be powerful and evocative, offering a unique perspective on the female experience. The collection is seen as a significant addition to the canon of feminist poetry, making it a must-read for those interested in the genre.

Quick quotes

    The book contains five parts. It has a feminist edge, the second section titled 'Stealing from Young Women,' how various hungers in the world take from the ...

    Alice Derry's Hunger is a beautifully observed, broad-reaching, and ultimately political collection of poems--political in the best and necessary sense

    Hunger by Alice Derry is a word-stone hurled into the present from a time when her parents let their children go hungry while pursuing religious ...

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