I seldom read poetry, but Amanda Lovelace’s newest collection, break your glass slippers (you are your own fairy tale), caught my eye at the library. So, I checked out the three books in her “women are some kind of magic) series. The princess saves herself in this one is the first, and it didn’t disappoint. In fact, it didn’t disappoint quite a few people. It was popular enough to be the winner of a Goodreads Choice Award for poetry.

The princess saves herself in this one is broken down in four sections, the princess, the damsel, the queen, you. But, even before the table of contents, Lovelace introduces poetry, both in her dedication, and in her Trigger Warning. It’s important for anyone to read that Trigger Warning, which I am going to quote, although it appears in the form of a poem in the book. “this book contains sensitive material relating to: child abuse, intimate partner abuse, bullying, sexual assault, self-harm, eating disorders, queerphobia, menstruation, alcoholism, racism, trauma, death, suicide, grief, cancer, fire, & possibly more. remember to practice self-care before, during & after reading.”

It’s hard to believe that Lovelace’s book is actually a triumphant one that leads to love and a feeling of power at the end. Despite the torment expressed in the early stages of the book, poems in “the queen” and “you” show a triumphant spirit and confrontation with an abuser, a confrontation that shows the abuser no longer has power to make the character (the author?) feel weak and worthless. And, there is not only growth, there is growth tied with true love, a love that allows further growth and doesn’t stifle expression.

The princess saves herself in this one could have been a tragedy, a collection that only makes the reader feel grief and pain for the victim of so much abuse. Instead, these poems express hope and power, the power to overcome family and abusive partners and everything that is expressed in that “Trigger Warning”. And, those of us who turn to books for escape will appreciate the early poems. Even in pain, books brought solace. “the princess (redacted) i was born a little bookmad.” There’s so much more, but I can’t quote an entire book to you. I can see why Lovelace’s book was voted as a Goodreads Choice Award. In the long run, it offers so much hope despite a history of pain.

Amanda Lovelace’s website is https://amandalovelace.com/index.html

The princess saves herself in this one by Amanda Lovelace. Andrews McNeel Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9781449486419 (paperback), 200p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book