The Hurting Kind

The Hurting Kind is a 2022 poetry collection by Ada Limón, structured around the four seasons rather than following a traditional narrative arc. Several poems in the collection emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic isolation period, originally sent as personal gifts to loved ones before their inclusion in the book. The collection explores interconnection and what it means to be part of a family - both human and natural. Limón investigates relationships with parents, grandparents, and the broader living world, including plants, animals, and seasonal cycles. The book was met with widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers highlighting Limón's observational prowess and ability to capture fleeting moments. The collection stands as a companion piece to Limón's non-fiction work Shelter, also published in 2022. The poems in The Hurting Kind examine vulnerability and connection, suggesting that to be deeply attuned to the world - to be "the hurting kind" - is both a burden and a form of grace.

Readers connect with Limón's intimate observations of nature and grief in this poetry collection. Many note how the poems feel accessible while maintaining literary depth. Readers appreciate: - Clear, conversational writing style - Exploration of human-nature relationships - Emotional honesty about loss and family - References to Kentucky landscapes - Poems that work both individually and as a collection Common criticisms: - Some poems feel too simplistic - Nature metaphors can become repetitive - A few readers found the tone occasionally sentimental Ratings: Goodreads: 4.39/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (290+ ratings) Reader quotes: "These poems make me feel less alone in my grief" - Goodreads reviewer "The way she writes about plants and animals makes me see them differently" - Amazon reviewer "Beautiful but sometimes too straightforward for my taste" - StoryGraph reviewer

Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong Explores profound grief and family relationships through poems that connect personal loss to broader natural cycles.

Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude by Ross Gay Creates a bridge between human experience and the natural world through poems celebrating connection and observation.

What the Living Do by Marie Howe Captures intimate moments between family members while examining mortality and the mysteries of everyday life.

Late Summer Ode by Sharon Olds Chronicles the passage of seasons and familial bonds through poems that merge personal history with natural imagery.

Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz Weaves together themes of love, nature, and family heritage through poems that examine human vulnerability within larger ecosystems.

🍂 Ada Limón was named the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate in 2022, making her the first Latina to hold this prestigious position. 🌱 Before "The Hurting Kind" was published, many of its poems were handwritten as letters and sent to friends and family during lockdown. 🌺 The book's seasonal structure was inspired by ancient Japanese poetry collections like the Man'yōshū, which traditionally organized verses by season. 🌿 Limón wrote several poems in the collection while observing birds at her Kentucky home, including the red-throated hummingbirds that frequent her garden. 🍃 The author's signature poetic style blends elements of traditional nature writing with contemporary concerns about climate change and environmental connection.