The Raspberry Girl by Victoriaselene Skye~Deme

First-class autobiographical poetryby ChrisB1

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December 12, 2008: Selene Skye?s Raspberry Girl is very personal; in fact, it?s autobiographical; even more than that, one could say that Raspberry Girl is Selene (who generally goes by her first name only).

Prose interludes throughout the book explain and underscore the meaning of the poems. By the end, Raspberry Girl has become at least as equally a work of autobiography as a work of poetry. This does not, however, mean that nothing is left to be discovered, uncovered, or recovered, or left to the imagination. Raspberry Girl is rich with symbolism. Meanings don?t much leap off the page (although impressions most definitely do), and despite the prose explanations that help with the broader picture, many shadowy dots are left to connect.

The picture that does emerge is one that is the stuff of literature: conflict, and in his case, a heroic individual struggling for self-identity against stultifying and cruel oppression. It is the nature of the oppression that makes Selene?s story fascinating to contemporary readers. It begins in an almost medieval setting in a ?manor? in Hungary, where she is kept, as a beautiful child, and objectified as a sort of trophy child (shades of Hollywood). She is mentally and physically abused. There are also strong suggestions of sexual abuse. As precocious as she is pretty, the young Selene uses words and poetry (the source of some of the beatings) to discover and preserve her personhood.
Her story turns seamlessly, in the United States, to one of failed and abusive marriages, repression of her nature, and ultimately self-oppression. This juxtaposition of the Gothic with the contemporary makes the whole story relevant, and holds especial interest for women. In fact, there is both a strong feminist tone, here, and a defiance of any male prerogative. At the same time, however, there is intermittently an embracing of sexuality and love?a sort of you can?t live with them, and you can?t live without them. It is clear, however, that Selene will live on her own terms, come what may

The question then arises, is the verse in Raspberry Girl good poetry? The simple answer, based on its efficacy in focusing and communicating the poet?s aesthetic intent and content, is ?Yes.? The tone of the volume?s verse conveys strong immediate impressions. The individual poems also yield a treasure trove of meaning through closer examination. Further, the individual poems play off of and complete one another, making this a volume that can be read over and over with new reward.

The nature of the poetry in Raspberry Girl and the nature of the poet are reflexive. The more one comes to know each reflects upon the other and amplifies how one feels about each. The informational kiosks spaced throughout the volume help readers know at whom they are looking. Ultimately, readers? reactions will depend on whether they like the person they see.

Magic in the wordsby Atlantis

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November 08, 2008: Raspberry Girl is a gem of a book and every woman, young and old should have it on the nightstand...
It¿s full of symbols and beautiful metaphors . The poetry of being a woman , the sensuality stemming out of it has a degree of purity and enchanting beauty even when pain is hidden in the folds . The words wrap around one¿s he heart and soul bringing warmth , splendor , magic and acceptance of the condition :Being a woman is a celebrated advantage!

I Also Recommend: Eve's Rib~Jezebel's Hips.