Review: Heartlines by Marley Korzen
Overview:
Rating: 4 out of 5.
This book of prose rivals the Odyssey! I love how Marley Korzen uses myth and divinity to explore the (female) spirit! In the course of 104 pages, she manages to take you on an epic journey of self-discovery, remaking, and call to action.
Disclaimer:
A free copy of this book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts listed here are entirely my own.
Content Warning:
Heartlines contains references to childbirth, motherhood, sexual content, sexism, and body image.
Book Description:
Heartlines is the independently published, debut poetry collection from author Marley Korzen. Using divine and mythological references, in addition to a strong 3-part narrative structure, Korzen explores the resilience and magic that exists in every human person.
On the Book’s Aesthetics:
Heartlines is a B E A U T I F U L book. Every single page is adorned with colorful illustrations, including scenes of nature, mythical creatures, and feminine figures. These images brought Korzen’s words to life and added an extra element of magic to work as a whole.
On the Author’s Writing Style:
Korzen’s words are epic — like Daenerys-Targaryen-becoming-Mother-of-Dragons epic. Her lyrical style of writing and reference to divinity and myth give each line power. I felt more like I was reading a book of magical spells or mantras than poetry at times, and even found myself attempting to commit some lines to memory to call upon later. You see, this is not a book that you can read and move on from. It is written as Korzen’s call to action: to love more, to seize the strength that already exists in yourself and your relationships, and to let go of the people and thoughts that do not serve you.
On the Structure of the Text:
This collection is divided into three parts: burning, healing, and regrowth. As someone who prefers to read fiction novels with concrete beginnings, middles, and ends, I was pleasantly surprised by this implementation of a narrative structure. While each of Korzen’s poems is strong on their own, their ordering in such a manner contributed to a greater sense of development as I read on. By the book’s conclusion, I did not feel as if I read a random mish-mash of pretty words, but rather a full-bodied story with strong through-lines. Consequently, the ending was all the more satisfying and the story all the more memorable.
On the Themes of Spirituality
As previously mentioned, Korzen alludes to divine forces, mythology, and folklore throughout her collection. I do not think the reader necessarily needs to understand each reference to make meaning of her words, but it may enhance the overall experience of the text if you have at least a rudimentary understanding of the following terms and concepts:
Halcyon: “characterized by happiness, great success, and prosperity … often used to describe an idyllic time in the past that is remembered as better than today” (Merriam Webster)
Nirvana: “(in Buddhism) a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism.” (Oxford Languages)
La Llorona: “In Mexican American folklore, [this] is a ghost who roams waterfront areas mourning her drowned children.” (Wikipedia)
Svadhishthana: “the second primary chakra… said to be blocked by fear, especially the fear of death. Opening this chakra can boost creativity, manifested desire and confidence.” (Wikipedia)
Persephone: “the Greek goddess of vegetation, especially grain, and the wife of Hades, with whom she rules the Underworld.” (Ancient History Encyclopedia)
Chakras: “are various focal points used in a variety of ancient meditation practices, collectively denominated as Tantra, or the esoteric or inner traditions of Hinduism.” (Wikipedia)
Third Eye: “a mystical and esoteric concept of a speculative invisible eye, usually depicted as located on the forehead, which provides perception beyond ordinary sight.” (Wikipedia)
On the Themes of Womanhood:
I want to slap this book into the hands of every woman I’ve ever met! Among other things, the text discusses self-acceptance in the face of the male gaze and societal pressures, female friendships and lineage, and the reclaiming of space. It is a must-read for any young girl who feels the pressure to conform, change, or lessen who she is for someone else.
Important note: As Korzen mentions in the acknowledgments of Heartlines, many of her poems are borne out of her own experiences. While most of what she writes refers to womanhood in a broader sense, there are also several that speak directly to the acts of giving birth and owning a vulva — experiences that not all women necessarily find relatable. This is not a bad thing because, again, these poems focus on KORZEN’S personal, lived experiences. I just want to acknowledge that the collection approaches feminist topics from the cis-perspective and, while it is brilliant and moving and valid, it is not totally encompassing of all the types of womanhood that exist.
On Who Might Enjoy Heartlines (an incomplete list):
This is only my second ever review of a poetry collection. I am by no means an expert on the subject of prose, but I recommend you read Heartlines if you:
enjoy lyrical works of fiction that deal with lore, magic, and mythology, such as The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, Circe by Madeline Miller, and The Girl Who Drank The Moon by Kelli Barnhill
seek out strong female leads and coming into oneself-related tropes in literature
appreciate the artwork and design in Milk & Honey by Rupi Kaur and Secrets & Stars by Alix Klingenberg
listen to music by Florence + the Machine and similar artists
are moved by topics relating to environmental justice and the #MeToo Movement
Heartlines is the independently published, literary debut of author Marley Korzen. If you would like to support Marley’s work, you can buy your very own copy of Heartlines on Amazon, sign up for her writing workshops, and/or follow her on instagram and facebook!