Book Review: Standing in the Forest of Being Alive by Katie Farris

“An intimate, hilarious and devastating look into some of the most private moments of a life―even if they happen to occur in a medical office with six strangers looking on…”

Goodreads blurb for Standing in the Forest of Being Alive

Review:

I got this book through a blind date with a book promotion on Independent Bookstore Day. It hadn’t been on my radar at all, but it sounded interesting, so I didn’t wait to pick it up. It was enlightening to read about the experience of someone battling cancer, especially having had a family member with young breast cancer as well.

I struggled to read through certain parts of the pandemic era, and had I realized that would be such a focus as well, I don’t think I would have picked it up. I have difficulty revisiting that time, so going back and forth between poems centered around life with cancer, the pandemic, and politics was too jarring for how short the book is.

I hope the author is doing well! Ultimately, this collection of poems offers emotional, firsthand insight into dealing with such an awful disease.

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• Insightful.

What I didn’t like:

• A lot of intense elements are going on with a lack of flow and pacing.

Afterthoughts:

I’m glad to have been given the opportunity to read this book!

Where to buy the book: