Upile Chisala

Nectar is the second collection of poetry and prose by Malawian storyteller Upile Chisala. In this book, Upile guides through a beautiful process of blooming starting with some poems on self love then words on our roots followed by acknowledging all the fruit of these experiences. The storyteller's hope is that these poems on growth encourage the reader to sow and to make changes in the lives of others. Born in 1994 and raised in Zomba, Upile's hope is to tell stories from the margins and through her work help others and herself come to terms with pasts, celebrate presents and confidently dream beautiful futures.

Nectar

Shona Tiger

From beloved Malawian storyteller Upile Chisala comes the revised and expanded edition of her second collection of poetry. In nectar, Chisala guides readers through a beautiful process of growth and renewal. These poems celebrate our always complex, sometimes troubled roots while encouraging us to grow through and beyond them toward a passionate self-love. Chisala's hope is that her words will encourage readers to sow seeds of change in their own lives and the lives of others.

Alexia

I think this is an important poetry collection that would speak to many women out there. It definitely spoke to me.

Lena

I received this from NetGalley for review

This didn't make me feel anything... 

I want to make clear I have no issues with "Instagram poetry" and in many cases like it but this just felt like sentences and none of them hit me in anyway. None of them made me think or brought anything new and poetry, even if talking about common topics, needs to dig its way into the soul and change my mind. 

This was ok but that's all, just ok. Some of these sentences were good and lovely sounding but that's not enough for me.

Upile has created a collection of poetry which is strong, delicate, empowering and clearly written with POC in mind. As a South African author, Upile has created eloquent prose that speaks of the experiences living as a marginalized woman, and the way in which one can grow from that experience. 


  "Tell me how people drop layers of hurt and grow new skin and grow out of old habits that were breaking them."


While I am not an #ownvoices reader of this collection, I can fully appreciate the emotion and heart that has been inserted throughout Upile's words. I strongly recommend that you visit some ownvoice reviews for this collection - I believe that it the right hands this would be an incredibly powerful collection of words.


  "You do yourself and those who love you a disservice when you make yourself smaller; when you eat your words or use less of your light."



Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Note: all quotes are from an advanced copy of the work and may differ in the completed publication.

Nectar

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