Review of Gawdzilla

[Rob Carr]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Gawdzilla" by Judy Juanita.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Judy Juanita's Gawdzilla is a hard-hitting collection of poetry covering racism, religion, feminism, and abortion, among other issues.
 
As you step through the book, you step through time, starting with watching Godzilla in 1954, moving through historical events, and ending up in the modern era with the Kardashians and Lizzo.
 
It is poetry designed to challenge you. To make you sit up and think. Juanita doesn't accept society the way it is; she reimagines and reinterprets it through her work.
 
I found the poem that struck me most was the powerful nurse, the powerful baby. In particular, the line "da baby wanted wholeness," which really made you empathise with it.
 
The book isn't written in standard English. It plays with grammar and alters the spelling of some words. However, it is still easy to follow and a very enjoyable read. It is probably best read in a single sitting to appreciate the whole work, and it is short and varied enough that it is possible to do that if you have a couple of hours.
 
The book has profanity throughout and some very strong themes around violence, religion, and abortion, which may not make it suitable for all readers.
 
Overall, I rate Gawdzilla 5 out of 5 stars. It is an enjoyable read that challenges your thinking. The book isn't one that will appeal to everyone, but it is of good quality and I did not have anything I disliked about it personally.
 
I recommend this book for those who have an interest in civil and political rights or a strong sense of justice, who enjoy poetry, or those from the African-American community who want to read an authentic piece of work by someone from their own community. As noted above, the strong themes mean it may not be suitable for all readers, and it is primarily a book for an adult audience.

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Gawdzilla
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