For the poetry collection, Pretty Boys Are Poisonous: Poems by Megan Fox I give it a two.
This is one reason why I almost didn’t write a review, I mean, why set myself up for Megan Fox fans to say she’s a genius and what amazing writing and writer she is, and how she is so meaningful? Then I realized, I’ve dealt with a Beyonce fan and believe me they are very intense so I think I can handle Megan Fox’s fans.
So, the reason I really did not want to give this a three, as in many ways it is a three, is because I was afraid people would think I agreed with her themes. I felt (and in no way does this mean they are this, just my take away) that she was glamourizing abusive relationships. The writing is poetry, lofty, but easy to understand for the most part. She seems not happy, but accepting this is the way love should be. How “bad boys” are going to be bad, so that’s okay. Which does counter the “they are poisonous” of the title.
I wasn’t too far in and skipped ahead a bit and noticed some of the later works do feel more “I’m going to save myself, no DID (damsel in distress) here. So, I thought maybe I’d start where I left off, but the pacing to get there was slow and honestly, a bit too much DID. Still, there are things to like though, such as Fox is clear in phrasing, using simple but meaningful wording. She is able to say a lot with a little bit of work. So, that is a plus for me. Also, they can be short. In fact a few are only a few words, or a short line or two. It was modern and interesting because of this less “literary” and more “for the people” approach.
In the end, it was the illustrations that really captured me. They are (as a description I found) a mix of innocent and erotic. I lean towards more soft erotic, less innocent as they could be almost seen as the people (mostly female, one “pretty angel boy” or what I felt was presenting feminine male) have the adolescent look as the ideal. They look “of age” yet, “young.” There is also an element that borders on both sensual and sexual. Breasts (of course) are shown and the curve of buttocks. Yet, nothing I’d call pornographic. Oh, and I like how compacted the actual book is.
Everything about the book is mature. It’s going to be an experience you’ll have and no one else. Are you a fan? Are you a teen or adult? Have you experienced some of the situations? I never thought I would read this, but I picked it up as the cover has always intrigued me and one day, when I was at the library, the book was practically in my face so I took it as a sign that it never hurts to try something. I tried, it wasn’t really for me, but who knows; it might be for you.
