Whenever a celebrity announces that they’re releasing a book, the news is usually received in one of three ways. Some are completely indifferent, the fans eager to consume any piece of content their favourite celebrity puts out into the world, and those who are a bit skeptical about a public figure suddenly feeling the urge to put pen to paper after being so well known exclusively on the stage, screen or elsewhere.
Often, the urge to be skeptical about celebrity books is justified. There are many examples of low-effort, poorly executed books that rely too heavily on the name plastered on their covers and capitalize on a group of dedicated fans willing their money. In recent years, as poetry books have become popularized and more accessible to younger generations by the likes of Rupi Kaur and Amanda Lovelace, some celebrity books have also pivoted towards this format. Big names like James Franco, Lili Reinhart and Alicia Keys have all released collections of poetry. Are any celebrity poetry books worth the read? In the case of Halsey’s collection of poetry “I Would Leave Me If I Could”, the answer is yes.
In this collection of poems, Halsey is unafraid to delve into a range of issues, including sexuality, mental health, family, creativity, and fame. She writes with the same vulnerability and raw honesty that’s on display in her music. The blurred lines between her poetry and songwriting make this book feel authentic to who she is as an artist.
If you’re a fan of Halsey’s music, particularly her most recent album Manic, there are lots of easter eggs and references for you to explore. However, the poems don’t rely too much on prior knowledge of Halsey’s life or music. The poem “Wish You The Best” shares lines with the bonus track “I’m Not Mad” from Manic. It’s enough to connect the poem and the song, but she writes beyond the sentiments she sings, expanding the core feeling of not wishing the best for someone into specific, vivid scenarios. Halsey’s lyrics are sprinkled amongst other poems in the collection as well, which enhances the interconnectedness of her work along with the rhythmic and artful cadences of her poetry.
The standout pieces of the collection, “Eight” and “The Painter” are both longer, deeply personal accounts of traumatic experiences from Halsey’s childhood. They manage to capture both the overall unease of the situations and focus on the specific heartbreaking details. While written by an adult who grasps the weight of these tragic situations, the poems let us see them unfold through the eyes of a child who doesn’t fully understand what is happening to them.
Another area that shines in the collection is Halsey’s descriptions of ambition and creativity. Both “L Train” and “I Want to Be a Writer” feature intense and carnal descriptions, not of desire or attraction to a person, but to a life’s calling. Showcasing the painful side to being passionate about one’s work unlocks even more vulnerability and honesty in her words, exemplified in the line: “I have given so much to the page, please tell me I am not worthless.”
Some of the shorter poems are standouts too – including the playful discovery in “Onanism” and the perfectly-sized doses of romance in “Thumbelina” and “Having.” Four poems called “Bad Day” can be found throughout the collection. They detail the intersection of Halsey’s creative and mental struggles and feature the impactful refrain “I’m half of everything I hate / and half of anything I create.” As the reader encounters these poems at various points in the book, they serve as a reminder of the humanity behind the art they’re consuming, whether it’s a song or a poem. The ups and downs of the artist’s story will bleed into the art they create, especially on the bad days.
Unlike some other books written by celebrities, “I Would Leave Me If I Could” isn’t a piece of content churned out for the sake of having a book for dedicated fans to buy. Instead, it’s a seamless extension of the world Halsey creates in her music – evident in the rhythmic cadence of her writing and the literary details of her song lyrics. However, her songs are not a crutch for the poems, and the book remains in itself a work of art accessible, relatable, and enjoyable to those not previously familiar with her music.