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First Impression: A little on the limp side, resulting in an experience related more to losing one’s virginity than orgasmic pleasure.

It has been quite a while since I really indulged in poetry. Uncouth by Kevin B Ploth offered an opportunity to read something raw and primal. Reading the blurb, I was interested in the musings the author had to share of a sexual nature. The overall impression was that the book was one of poetic perversions that were documented in different poetical formats. However, upon reading, it was more than this, but not necessarily in a good way.

The First Poem

The first poem was full of promise. Clearly depicting the act of cunnilingus, I found it to be sensual, and more sweet than perverse. The language was simple, easy to follow, descriptive, and gave the reader clear direction on where to direct their imagination. However, this for me was the build-up and climax all at once. In keeping with the theme of the book, I relate it to losing one’s virginity. It’s fairly innocent, fairly quick, and a bit of a fluke that you performed the act correctly. Next time will hopefully be better.

Did it Get Better?

As I progressed through the book, it was clear that the author has a formulaic style – missionary; something is like something, it does this, it does that. Now rinse and repeat until the end of that particular poem. Where this technique was not applied (nothing wrong with a bit of experimentation), titles promised haikus that were more free verse than haiku they claimed to be. They did not pertain to the correct format of three lines constructed of five syllables in the first and last line, with a line of seven syllables in the middle. That aside, although poetry can be quite personal, I felt it failed to engage me. It was one of those one night stands where only one partner leaves satisfied, and there was not going to be a second hook-up, because the satisfied party had gotten what they came for. In the words of Ariana Grande, ‘Thank U, Next’. I was also confused by the sudden switch from human intimacy around sex, kissing, and touch, to poems of war and violence, then domestic abuse. If I compare this to a sexual encounter, it’s the one where you have the roll in the hay, party A did not get the chance to finish, whilst party B has rolled over, turned the lights out and gone to sleep, without even a kiss and cuddle. Brutal!

Overall Impression

The book is short, reminiscent of a ‘quickie’. It gets the job done, although not necessarily well. I would struggle to recommend this bedroom buddy to another. They (the book) were an immature lover professing that they were more experienced than they really were in order to impress the love interest. It would for a hot minute, but it did not take long for the flaws and lack of experience to show. That said, I can quite believe that the feelings and emotions that were being described, but more time to harness the craft of articulating these experiences would have reaped a better reception. Three concepts; sex, war, and a photobook rolled into one made for a very poor love triangle where a threesome was being sought. Overall, though it is about explicit content, there is less offensive language than expected, and was more that explicit acts were being described in a sedate way.

It’s a shame I couldn’t offer a more favorable opinion, especially as Kevin graciously gifted me his book in exchange for an honest review. What I would say, and have said to Kevin personally, is that divisive books make for some interesting conversation. As it stands, the book is comparable to Marmite; you either love it or hate it.

Quick Rating: ⭐ / R

Have your say: As you can imagine, the author was not enthused with the review, which had seen a 5 star review from a beta reader. What are your first impressions? Is this something that tickles your fancy? The Papergirl Community would love to hear from you?

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