This author knows how to write in a way that you can really get a glimpse of a experience that not everyone understands. There were moments that I had to highlight and reread because they struck me so. A short and import read.

I'm definitely not the kind of reader for this book because I couldn't feel anything while reading it. The poems felt repetitive and overworked, as if trying too hard to be different and impacting, therefore having the opposite effect. There were some lines I enjoyed and ideas I ground interesting, but I couldn't connect with this book despite wanting to.

"Beautiful Malady" is a poetry book like no other. I've delved into the world of poetry quite extensively, but this collection offered me a unique and enchanting experience. What truly captivated me were the recurrent supernatural and fairy tale themes that wove their way through the verses.

In a world where difference and disability is often stigmatised or ignored, "Beautiful Malady" presents a refreshing perspective. The poems embrace the idea that having a disability can be a source of beauty, strength, and resilience. It's a sentiment rarely expressed so eloquently in literature, and it resonated deeply with me.

Huge thanks to the publisher for this ARC, what can I say? It was stunning. It was honest, raw and so emotional. The poems almost brought tears to my eyes, as I’m disabled myself, I understand feeling like you’re on a constant rollercoaster with medical stuff. Ennis Rook Bashe’s work is so powerful, it really made me hopeful for change.

A brilliant collection of poetry exploring identity, disability, family and some politics with fantastical and sinister elements.

I was able to read this in one sitting and it really evoked the imagination!

“I want to be an absolute reservoir of death-energy, a walking mausoleum, my own beautiful tomb. I want to be dying for, not dying of.”

I loved everything about this raw, fantasy book of poems. It was emotional and deep.

The author has a voice that speaks to everyone, not just those who relate to the subject written. It was beautifully dark and kept me wanting more.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Interstellar Flight Press in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyed the poetry of Ennis Rook Bashe. Will need to find more books by Ennis Rook Bashe. #BeautifulMalady #NetGalley

What a collection ! These poems deal with disability and queerness is a way that is so relatable and timely. Highly recommended.

Beautiful Malady is a stunning collection of poetry that explores the intersections of queerness and disability. One of my favorite poems was called "ode to illness" and begins " In exactly one month I will have outlived / Keats." The poet achingly describes reality while transforming folkloric archetypes like the changeling. Beautiful and evocative collection.

"Beautiful Malady: Poems" by Ennis Rook Bashe is a collection of dark fairytale-inspired poems by a queer trans disabled Jewish author. While this series of poems mainly centers around disability and medical trauma more so than it does on queerness and transness, queerness and transness still remains intrinsic to the overall narrative. Bashe is a master of lyrical composition that, admittedly, oftentimes went straight over my head or needing to consult a dictionary; however, the content was still overwhelmingly beautiful.

One not of interest that I share with many other reviewers is that the cover is way too busy. The cover art itself needs no changing, in my humble opinion, however, I believe that the cover would benefit from a different typeface.

I really love to read this book, I strongly connected with the author's references and feelings in it, it's without doubt one of the best poetry books this year

4 stars

A thought provoking collection of stories that have themes of illness, disability, changelings, love.

Each and every poem in this book were beautiful with haunting prose.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants a beautifully harrowing poetry.

Beautiful Malady is the kind of book that will stay with you for a long time.
It’s just as the title describes, beautiful, but also very painful. The soul of one with chronic illness is laid bare in this book. It explores themes such as the disconnect between body and mind, how society looks upon those who are not the picture of health.
This short collection of poems describes not only the pain that a person with a disability and/or chronic illness experiences. But also, the exceptions, rejection and gaslighting (medical and emotional) that society places on them. You can be ill, but you must be brave. You can be in pain but must be strong. You can be disabled, but it must be visible. You must survive or die, but not stay anywhere in between.
If you or someone you know has chronic illness, or have experienced disease, or are disabled, I recommend that you read this book. Or even if you want to see the world from a new perspective. Either it will be reaffirming or eye opening or both.

I read this in the space of a few nights, and it was an absolutely gorgeous collection. It zigs and zags between a fairy tale of sorts that is a multi part poem throughout the book, and queer, disabled anger but in a way that isn't meant to be nicely palatable for the mainstream. (I also know the work of the cover artist and yes that is who you think it is on the cover, lol.) Definitely interested in more from Bashe, and I'll be looking for more of their work in the future!

Thank you to Ennis Rook Bashe, Interstellar Flight Press, and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of "Beautiful Malady: Poems" for an honest review.

This poetry collection is a short, fast, mostly one-hour read, but wow, does it come for your heart. As someone who suffers from multiple diagnoses, facing both doctors and everyday people who don't understand them, I found a kindred light, voice, and presence in the words of this book. The forever reaching through the light, the retelling of stories told a million times, with a brand new voice to give voice to the newest brand of the voiceless.

I thought the combination of fantasy/speculative with talk of disability was interesting, so was glad to pick this one up. I found the poems themselves to be beautifully worded and full of imagery - they definitely draw you in so that you are invested. Sometimes the talk of disability (though the inclusion is appreciated) can seem awkward or out of place, but here it was seamless. Whether the poems be about fighting against prejudices etc. or living within your disability, they were full of authenticity and heart.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

An ode to the disabled with seen or unseen pain. The author takes us on a walk through their experience. Those who share the experiences will laude this prose and those who doubt might find fault. We have to remember that everyone is different and has different experiences with medical professionals and the world in general.

3/5

Received as Arc from NetGalley

Positives:
The poetry is visceral and thought-provoking. All the poems are fairly straightforward, easy, and quick to read. I would highly recommend this book to someone who is getting into poetry. The structure of the poems suits the tone of the poems well. While I'm not physically disabled nor do I have a terminal illness, Bashe's poetry brings me there with real and authentic brutality.

Negatives:
This should have been a book I could read in one sitting with no problem, but it wasn't. It was a little boring and repetitive at times. Maybe I just didn't feel a connection to it because I don't understand the perspective being discussed, but it didn't stick with me. I enjoyed it and felt it while I was reading, but I haven't felt anything since and can't really remember much about it.

This is a decent poetry book that really makes you think about being on death's door. I would recommend this to those who may be just getting into poetry books because I feel it's an easy read, despite the heavier subject matter.

Thank you so much to the publishers for providing me with an eArc in exchange for my honest review.

"Let us, in any universe, refuse to be erased."

This poetry collection was absolutely fantastic, with an ongoing disability theme throughout it was thoroughly insightful and eye-opening. To have a collection that features the struggles and frustrations that people with disabilities have is a must-read, especially for able-bodied people who wouldn't have these struggles.

From doctor visits, chronic pain, and people thinking you're making up different symptoms, this collection's beautiful and mesmerising words and imagery present only a fraction of the issues that disabled people have to go through.

I highly recommend reading these poems! With a mixture of fantasy and real life, the writing can unpack a lot and you may find yourself going back to read over specific poems because they genuinely just hit so hard and are so beautifully made.

Definitely an incredibly personal work of poetry that I had fun going through! The first handful of poems didn’t really stick out, but as you go deeper it’s really insightful. Personally, the authors note at the end had far more resonance than the poems but gave a great insight to the work