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vermilion
"vermilion is a stunning multilingual and multidimensional piece of poetic artwork. This is a spiritual song of motherhood, creation, and dreaming in Cree-Métis. I look forward to sharing this book with all my kin interested in teaching or reading a story that is both accessible and wonderfully mysterious that we could come back to again and again, with each time harnessing a new understanding."
-Kaitlyn Purcell, author of ʔbédayine
-Kaitlyn Purcell, author of ʔbédayine
80 pages, Paperback
Published January 2, 2024
2,173 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 9, 2023
Vermilion by Samantha Erron Gibbon is a stunningly visual depiction of nature and creation. While not wordy, the author lets the story unfold primarily through pictures, and the effect speaks louder than any spoken language could possibly achieve. This is a work that is completely original in modern literature, and I was immediately drawn to the unique form of storytelling. 3.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and Querencia Press for an ARC.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Querencia Press for an ARC.
December 6, 2023
The art in here is stunning and speaks to creation, nature and nurture in a way that's so warm and captivating that even without the words, you can get the whole story and appreciate it.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
January 4, 2024
I have read Vermilion through a couple of times now and I have spent some time sitting with the words and the artwork, and also doing a little outside reading, but I still don’t feel entirely prepared to give a full review/rating to this piece, especially as someone who is not from the same cultural and linguistic background as the author - so take everything I say with that in mind.
Even though the work as a whole is very short, there are so many layers to understanding. The author wrote in the description, “I look forward to sharing this book with all my kin interested in teaching or reading a story that is both accessible and wonderfully mysterious that we could come back to again and again, with each time harnessing a new understanding." I think that is definitely accomplished here and I do feel like each time one returns to the poem and artwork they will expand their understanding or relationship to the piece. I am also sure that one’s personal and cultural background will influence their understanding. I don’t necessarily think I am the target audience for this work but I do feel thankful that I got to experience it, and I found both the words and images to be intriguing and moving. Definitely would recommend.
*Thank you to NetGalley, Querencia Press, and Samantha Erron Gibbon for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review!*
Even though the work as a whole is very short, there are so many layers to understanding. The author wrote in the description, “I look forward to sharing this book with all my kin interested in teaching or reading a story that is both accessible and wonderfully mysterious that we could come back to again and again, with each time harnessing a new understanding." I think that is definitely accomplished here and I do feel like each time one returns to the poem and artwork they will expand their understanding or relationship to the piece. I am also sure that one’s personal and cultural background will influence their understanding. I don’t necessarily think I am the target audience for this work but I do feel thankful that I got to experience it, and I found both the words and images to be intriguing and moving. Definitely would recommend.
*Thank you to NetGalley, Querencia Press, and Samantha Erron Gibbon for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review!*
December 23, 2023
Vermilion is gorgeously expressive. It is an exploration into the duality humanity and the self. The harshness and beauty of womanhood. Our connection to history, to the past of others that puts expectation on us to honour them while honouring the future.The mother and the warrior. How connected to the earth that is changing, it spins while we stay in one spot. Changing to its whims. There is evolution through history that Vermilion takes you on.
The pictures were captivating and intrinsically explorative. Lovely and thought provoking.
The pictures were captivating and intrinsically explorative. Lovely and thought provoking.
December 28, 2023
Vermilion is such an interesting and special book to experience. Only 80 pages with very little text, Gibbon's work focuses on poetic lines and her artwork depicting birth, life, ancestry and spirituality. Vermilion reveals and celebrates indigenous culture and heritage. It is a beautiful way to weave words and art to create a simple yet all-encompassing narrative. The art itself is also stunning with the motifs of breath and reflections, as well as the earthy colours and tones, depicting humanity at its most untouched yet at its most wise too.
December 28, 2023
Stunning visuals, sparse but exquisite poetry. I inhaled this and will be returning to it again and again.
April 25, 2024
Thank you to the author, ŷ, and the publishers for my giveaway copy. What a special book and I feel so fortunate to have been gifted this at this time in my life.
5⭐️
5⭐️
December 31, 2023
I feel as though I have been given a precious gift with this ARC of Vermilion by Samantha Erron Gibbon. I have an enormous amount of respect for the culture and heritage of the First People of the Americas, and I am well aware that others suffered as my ancestors settled and prospered. Too many people became disconnected from their culture and traditions; so much knowledge and lore was lost. The keepers of this knowledge are to be respected. The oral history and legends of the First People as every bit as valuable as the ruins of every ancient European temple. In this exquisite book, Gibbon has allowed me to see her sacred history. While I cannot read all of her words, I understand what she says. Her book is a prayer to life, to the Mother of us all. It is a reaching out, a sharing of the wonders of this world, not meant for one person's possession but to be granted to all. Samantha Erron Gibbon's beautiful book is an offering to humankind.
December 20, 2023
Thank you Querencia Press for a copy of vermilion!
"vermilion is a stunning multilingual and multidimensional piece of poetic artwork. This is a spiritual song of motherhood, creation, and dreaming in Cree-Métis. I look forward to sharing this book with all my kin interested in teaching or reading a story that is both accessible and wonderfully mysterious that we could come back to again and again, with each time harnessing a new understanding."
REVIEW:
A different form of poetry than I'm used to, but a very welcome one. I love how the visual pieces add another layer of meaning and self-reflection into each word. Simple and warm. A gorgeous depiction of motherhood!
"vermilion is a stunning multilingual and multidimensional piece of poetic artwork. This is a spiritual song of motherhood, creation, and dreaming in Cree-Métis. I look forward to sharing this book with all my kin interested in teaching or reading a story that is both accessible and wonderfully mysterious that we could come back to again and again, with each time harnessing a new understanding."
REVIEW:
A different form of poetry than I'm used to, but a very welcome one. I love how the visual pieces add another layer of meaning and self-reflection into each word. Simple and warm. A gorgeous depiction of motherhood!
December 29, 2023
I� don’t know how to review this. For one thing, I read it as an ebook, which is probably not the way to go. I’m guessing this book is about 100 words long, total, and consists mostly of stylized illustrations that accompany and augment the sparse text.
So, on one hand, this wasn’t what I thought I was getting into when I requested this book on NetGalley. Still, I’m reading this as on singular somewhat meditative poem or song. I’m glad I read this even though I’m struggling to put my feelings into words. The structure sort of demands that you stop and think every few words. I assume the effect of reading it in a print layout would only enhance that meditative experience.
Thank you to the publisher for letting me read this book as an ARC.
So, on one hand, this wasn’t what I thought I was getting into when I requested this book on NetGalley. Still, I’m reading this as on singular somewhat meditative poem or song. I’m glad I read this even though I’m struggling to put my feelings into words. The structure sort of demands that you stop and think every few words. I assume the effect of reading it in a print layout would only enhance that meditative experience.
Thank you to the publisher for letting me read this book as an ARC.
January 6, 2024
The cover caught my attention and I was expecting some interesting poetry on the inside. I found the illustrations to outshine the poetry, and there wasn't much poetry to start with.
There could've been potential in this collection had it been more focused on writing, although maybe this was one of those cases where the art would speak for itself.
This book just wasn't for me.
Read more here:
There could've been potential in this collection had it been more focused on writing, although maybe this was one of those cases where the art would speak for itself.
This book just wasn't for me.
Read more here:
December 23, 2023
I fell in love with this short but stunning visual poem. I feel so heart-warming the books in which the authors embrace their roots, and this one isn’t an exception.
I’m partially used to reading collections of poems which include illustrations, but never adding that much like in this book, where they are essential to fully comprehend the story hidden between the pages.
Thanks a lot to Querencia Press and NetGalley for sharing a copy of this book with me! 💗�
I’m partially used to reading collections of poems which include illustrations, but never adding that much like in this book, where they are essential to fully comprehend the story hidden between the pages.
Thanks a lot to Querencia Press and NetGalley for sharing a copy of this book with me! 💗�
December 23, 2023
Thank you to Querencia Press via NetGalley for providing me with this ARC! Although not quite what I expected, I enjoyed the illustrations that accompanied the poetry� it felt very connected and the illustrations helped the words come to life. I appreciated the simultaneous simplicity and complexity, between the words of the prose and the meaning behind them. I enjoyed reading and hope to read more from the author!
December 29, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars.
That was an interesting book mostly about the theme of motherhood. It is a really short poem and it is kind of different from what I'm used to read in poetry but I like innovative ideas in creating any kind of art. The illustrations were a bit peculiar but it's part of what makes this book so interesting to discover. The cover is stunning!
3.5 Stars.
That was an interesting book mostly about the theme of motherhood. It is a really short poem and it is kind of different from what I'm used to read in poetry but I like innovative ideas in creating any kind of art. The illustrations were a bit peculiar but it's part of what makes this book so interesting to discover. The cover is stunning!
January 4, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Querencia Press for this ARC.
I am going to go buy this book at my local bookstore. It was that captivating that I want to read it again and again - while the prose was sparse, it combined with the illustrations were moving. And the illustrations were stunning! The book mixes Cree and English - making the Cree words used accessible to non-Indigenous readers yet Gibbon still stays true to her culture.
I would highly recommend!
I am going to go buy this book at my local bookstore. It was that captivating that I want to read it again and again - while the prose was sparse, it combined with the illustrations were moving. And the illustrations were stunning! The book mixes Cree and English - making the Cree words used accessible to non-Indigenous readers yet Gibbon still stays true to her culture.
I would highly recommend!
December 22, 2023
This composition is truly beautiful. The art style used in this book is simple but unique and captivating in its simplicity. This was a calming read which acted like a palate cleanser to the books I've read recently. The poetry related to each piece brings revelation to the overall meaning of each piece, which allows us to appreciate the message being conveyed by Samantha Erron Gibbon.
January 15, 2024
Sparse and evocative, a visual poem where the narrative is carried is by the images as much as the words. It was great timing to read this alongside Always Coming Home.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2024
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This slim volume is an absolutely gorgeous interweaving of text and image. It is a piece that begs the reader to sit, savor, and soak in the art within. Very thankful that I got the chance to read this, and I plan to seek out more from this author in the future.
This slim volume is an absolutely gorgeous interweaving of text and image. It is a piece that begs the reader to sit, savor, and soak in the art within. Very thankful that I got the chance to read this, and I plan to seek out more from this author in the future.
December 23, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this!
vermilion is certainly very interesting and is absolutely the artists own expression; she has a style and that comes through very clearly. I will say that it is entirely dependent on you liking the artists style!
vermilion is certainly very interesting and is absolutely the artists own expression; she has a style and that comes through very clearly. I will say that it is entirely dependent on you liking the artists style!
December 26, 2023
This was a brief but stunning work. The art complimented and enhanced the poetic language, both reflecting back on each other. It was both warm and nurturing.
Thank you for the ARC - this is a collection I could come back to time and again.
Thank you for the ARC - this is a collection I could come back to time and again.
December 29, 2023
This is absolutely gorgeous. I have no other words for this book. Beautiful art, thought-provoking multilingual prose, and a spiritual journey through female being and motherhood. This book is not a book, it's an experience.
December 31, 2023
"vermilion" is a beautiful artpiece that weaves poetry and visuals into one. gibbon chooses words with care to showcase indigenous culture and create a lingering connection both her poetry and paintings.
January 3, 2024
This is one poem spread out between vivid illustrations. While it makes for a short read, it's a good experience. I would love to read a longer collection from Gibbon. It feels very raw and human, deeply imbedded in a rich culture.
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February 27, 2024Told with simple images and in few words using two languages, Vermilion by Samantha Erron Gibbon tells of creation, of nurturing, and of nature. It’s a short book of about 80 pages that’s as simple as birth - which is to say, it seems straight forward but is nuanced and filled with meaning.
December 12, 2023
I have not come across such a format where poetry is depicted through pictures and I am not a great fan of this kind of work. Nevertheless, the art is beautiful.
I got this book from NetGalley.
I got this book from NetGalley.
January 9, 2024
The artwork is amazing along with the flow of the book. It goes over the stages of life - loved the buffalo hunt drawings and the tree one. It's hard to pick a favorite.
I will have to get a hard copy.
I will have to get a hard copy.
August 15, 2024
the pictures were.... interesting
May 27, 2024
Lovely but the medium gets in the way.
CW: blood
Disclaimer: I was sent this book by the publisher through a ŷ Giveaway. A review was requested but not required, and the content and star rating of said review are all my own.
CW: blood
Disclaimer: I was sent this book by the publisher through a ŷ Giveaway. A review was requested but not required, and the content and star rating of said review are all my own.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
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