The Wild Fox of Yemen: Poems

The book dimensions are awkward. It's not a snug format to take everywhere, the page formatting is too scattered and sparse to my taste. Personal preference.Few poems didn't resonate with me and I struggled with their structures.Others were a delight, specifically because of the original structure and the feelings conveyed.I was delighted with the impressions the reading leaves in me; it's like I got a whiff from the poet's upbringing and the environment and culture where she grew up and wander.The poet went through the trouble of adding some explanations by the end of the collection. I wish she would have extended that to the generous words in dialect Arabic that she uses. It wouldn't have ruined the experience for me, whether she decided to add them in every page or refer to the index. Googling the words is not something obvious or straightforward either.All in all, I went through it twice and enjoyed many poems; it is a demanding read and the payoff is worth it. I cannot put enough emphasis with how much of the poet is left within by the time the reading is over. She is by no means neither pretending to represent Yemeni culture or Muslim Americans or the ache of the diaspora and the first generation nor leaning on open aches to convey her experience, yet she succeeds in building bittersweet imageries from her life that grant an intimate view into private circles most don't know and may never get to experience.Looking forward to seeing the next work of Threa.

Almontaser’s use of form is intriguing and entertaining. This all fits well with the themes of disjointed family, shifting memory, and an entire place and culture being walled off into silence. A paradox of form, that the white spaces have a necessary sound. This collection felt like sitting down to listen to a friend late at night, requiring a centered place inside to listen and time to let them say all that needs said.

Beautiful literary work of fine art. Finding solace in “Portrait of this Country” at this time. Threa Almontasar’s powerful, raw, meticulous words feel electrifying, witty, ironic and authentic on every page. Highly recommend!

I don’t read poetry much and I’ll admit I don’t know too much about it, but this book is so good and actually made me FEEL things. She writes so beautifully and it makes you feel sad and nostalgic and happy as if the experiences are of your own. 5/5 would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a good but shorter read!!

What an amazing book! Definitely a must read.