Book: Enough by Kris Bigalk
Reviewed by Ashley M
Rating: 5/5
Plot Summary: A scintillating collection that recasts the Echo and Narcissus story into an arc of modern love, moving from unrequited desire to the strength of "having enough" and letting go.
Writing Style & Pacing: Masterful and insightful. The poems use brevity , list structures , and contemporary rhyme to create a powerful narrative flow.
Character Development: The speaker undergoes a profound journey from a "heartbroken nymph" to a woman finding a path to healing.
World-Building: Subverts Ovid’s myth by placing it in a modern context, allowing the speaker agency rather than reducing her to a mere echo.
Emotional Impact: Deeply moving and emotionally resonant; it offers a fresh, empowering perspective on a tragic myth.
Themes & Messages: Duality of desire, the search for satisfaction, and the refusal to succumb to despair.
Content Warnings: Emotional manipulation (the "Narcissus" dynamic), heartbreak, and themes of unrequited love.
Recommendation & Rating: Highly recommended for poetry lovers, especially those who appreciate Kim Addonizio or Natalie Diaz .