2023 EDIT:
Reread: Hmm. Like 'the mermaid's voice returns in this one' - and in my rereview of that - this is the same thing. In 'You Are Your Own Fairy Tale', there is hardly a difference in theme than in 'women are some kind of magic'. I was bored reading through these verses that may or may not be "real" poetry, or just life advice in ordinary verses. They're not the most creative or original in the world. A good number of them give very good, relevant and needed feminist advice, hence the slightly higher score than in 'the mermaid's voice' (though I've noticed contradictions in messaging throughout the books; like, is looking to the stars, to find yourself or to see the beauty of the universe or to burn and tear apart, good or bad? Another contradiction is, should I have well-meaning, loyal, strong, protective female friends, or build myself up again entirely on my own?). But overall, these poems are extremely samey and repetitive. They all seem to end on a "the right man will eventually come to be by your side to complete you in your self-worth, self-value and self-esteem" message, too, weirdly (at least it's not as bad as in 'To Make Monsters Out of Girls').
And what's with the same full watercolour pages of the night sky in some places?
Oh well. Like a few of the advice verses say: I am growing, learning, setting my own boundaries, setting my own standards, making changes in my own life, without any shame; and if that means cutting off, clearing and giving away some of my old favourite books, then so be it.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
Another sweet, sorrowful, and poignant collection of poetry by Amanda Lovelace; that's about fairy tales (though here the focus is on Cinderella) as a metaphor and outline for women being able to change, to self-care, take charge, and free themselves.
And be their own fairy tale.
Their own fairy godmother.
Their own heroine.
Their own star.
Their own universe.
'Break Your Glass Slippers (You Are Your Own Fairy Tale, #1)', like Lovelace's previous feminist fairy tale poetry instalments, is powerful in its simplicity. It also contains some of the most beautiful and blue watercolour illustrations that I have ever seen.
Most of its verses don't really say anything new or mind-blowing for those who have already read the 'Women Are Some Kind of Magic' series, but a few verses still are life-shattering and "Of course! It's so simple!" enough to bring tears of hurt, hope and joy to your eyes.
For example:
'you are not a thing
that can ever be
claimed, conquered,
or irreparably ruined
by someone else's hands.
he may like to think
he wields that much power,
but he doesn't.'
'while you're getting drunk on him,
he's only getting drunk
on the way the attention
makes him feel--
there's a difference.'
'you keep mistaking
possessiveness for love.
it couldn't be further from that.
know this:
nobody can ever own your own magic.
it is yours & yours alone.'
'repeat after me:
there can never be
too much sky.
there can never be
too many dreams.
there can never be
too much coffee.
there can never be
too many stars.
there can never be
too much me.'
'you were my almost,
but i'm my own forever.
--long may i reign.'
'she may have it all.
but that doesn't
stop you from
having it all.
celebrate her,
then celebrate you.
first you must realize
you can both
be successful
in different ways.
--internalized misogyny.'
'if i've learned
anything at all about
being a woman
it's that
people will champion you
until the moment you stand up
for yourself
a little too loudly,
a little too brashly.
--don't let that stop you from fighting for what matters.'
'being called fat is not an insult.
being called skinny is not a compliment.
--they're just sizes.'
'my value doesn't go down when my weight
goes up.'
'superficial is the person who can't imagine
worshiping you at every stage of you.'
'when they tell me that i've changed, like it's
some personal act of betrayal on my part, i tell
them, "i know. i've never been more proud of
myself. i went from a single wildflower to a
whole fucking meadow.'
'i don't know who
needs to hear this, but:
it's okay if someone doesn't like you.
it doesn't mean there's
something wrong with you.
it doesn't mean there's
something wrong with them.
some kinds of magic
just don't call to each other.'
'i've found that most rags to riches stories
have very little to do with things such as money
or material objects & everything to do with
who's still standing by your side when you
discover your own self-worth.
--you're a fucking treasure.'
'maybe i was never given a fairy godmother who
turned a pumpkin into an enchanted carriage
that took me straight to my happily ever after,
but i no longer make excuses, i drink pumpkin
spice lattes, & i check things off my to-do list.
i handle things that i never, ever could have
handled before.
--if that's not a true transformation, what is?'
'you are never directionless.
--the universe is always guiding you.'
Wow, there's loads more that I'd thought! So many constellations of verses of inspiration.
After reading 'Know My Name' by Chanel Miller, I know that a lot of Lovelace's verses apply to every woman on the planet.
Abusive relationships, female friendships, healing: the magical ingredients are here. For self-love.
'in this fairy tale, the princess doesn't
recklessly leave behind a glass slipper for
the not-so-charming prince. in this fairy
tale, the princess takes a hammer to them,
shattering both to pieces.'
Final Score: 4/5
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