Andrea Gibson

Andrea Gibson's latest collection is a masterful showcase from the poet whose writing and performances have captured the hearts of millions. With artful and nuanced looks at gender, romance, loss, and family, Lord of the Butterflies is a new peak in Gibson's career. Each emotion here is deft and delicate, resting inside of imagery heavy enough to sink the heart, while giving the body wings to soar.

Lord of the Butterflies

Finn Salter

When a human dies the soul moves through the universe trying to describe how a body trembles when it's lost, softens when it's safe, how a wound would heal given nothing but time. Do you understand? Nothing in space can imagine it. No comet, no nebula, no ray of light can fathom the landscape of awe, the heat of shame. The fingertips pulling the first gray hair and throwing it away. I can't imagine it, the stars say. Tell us again about goosebumps. Tell us again about pain.

azliana aziz

i adore the ones about love and acceptance the most.

Heavy themes, dense style. Not my match, but sparks awareness through challenging topics like LGBT, self, and violence. Worth a try for fans of thought-provoking poetry.

Liana

Ariel Himboi

Thanks to Netgalley I fell in love with another poet. From everything I want to read and feel from gender, to love, and the right side of politics... this was everything I wanted. I would say all of them were my favorite, save the few that sometimes felt too out of my knowledge comfort. I absolutely recommend this to everyone. The style was infectious, the tone was unforgiving and it made me want to feel every emotion at once. It's short but extremely good and well-written. I definitely will pick up other works by this author.

Anyaconda

I hardly read poetry, but I came across a short video on my friends social media and I've not forgotten Andrea Gibson since then.

Then I found her newest collection on Netgalley and was so excited to read the ARC.

It ripped my heart out, shredded it and put it back together.

I can hear her voice in my head, raw and beautiful. I can't describe what reading this 96 page collection did to me.

I'll pick up ANYTHING she'll put out there and start my Andrea Gibson collection by pre-ordering Lord of the Butterflies.
I'd recommend this to anyone even if you don't usually read poetry. 

Thank you so much Netgalley for providing me with an eARC and introducing me to my new favorite word artist.

Jessica 

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  As a note, a copy of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.
 Review also found here at Booked J. 

I know I've said it a hundred times over this year, last year, and several years before but: Lord of the Butterflies is a standout. Truly one of the best poetic releases of 2018. The thing that makes Lord of the Butterflies so poignant? Simple: Andrea Gibson.

And Gibson's voice is very important to note. Because if there is one thing you should know about them before you read Lord of the Butterflies, it's that Gibson's prose has a presence that is potent and prone to getting under your skin in the way that only good poetry can. You'll feel. You'll cry. You'll smile. You'll be. Lord of the Butterflies treats you to any emotion imaginable.

Which is to say: they know how to hit you right in the soul with their words and that's the sign of pure brilliance in poetry. Gibson takes you by your collar and leaves you reeling from their honesty. I was honestly dizzy with emotion the moment I finished this collection and then I did something I so rarely do upon finishing a book--I went back to the start and read it again.

You can always tell when a poet is genuine in their words, and Gibson is at a certain point beyond genuine. You can't label their work, because it's in a league of its own.

Right now, Gibson is someone you should be listening to.

They are unforgettable as they come. 

I always find it so difficult to review poetry because poetry is all about feeling something and to try and review it? It's nearly impossible without breaking down every single line, from every single poem, and that would ruin the experience of reading Lord of the Butterflies for the first time.

So here's what I will say: Lord of the Butterflies is a breathtaking exploration of Gibson. You don't want to miss this.

Ocean

Andrea Gibson has done it again. This is such an incredibly raw and powerful collection of poems. Gibson has a way with words and I want to read every poem they have ever and will ever write. I don't read much poetry, mostly because I worry that I won't understand or connect with it, but I don't have that problem with Gibson's poems. I just wish there were other poets I felt a connection with in this way. Some of these poems brought me close to tears and really made me feel things, they're extremely relevant and thought-provoking. The only other book I've read by Gibson is 'Pansy', but after reading 'Lord of the Butterflies' I want their entire collection. Absolutely outstanding.

Lord of the Butterflies

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