Let's take a few moments to dive into the newly published poetry book, ESCAPING THE DARKNESS: RUNNING FROM MY DREAMS written by poet, Christopher Bice.  I purchased the Kindle eBook version of this book in June of 2021.
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A book cover is your prelude, a strong hint, as to the subject that will be played out within the interior of your book. This particular book cover conveys a desperate urgency as indicated by the title and the image of a male figure running away, towards the light filtering through the open doorway.   This urgency sets the tones for the poems found within this book.  When we see an image like this in runaway mode, "escaping the darkness," we tend to think it is because something unpleasant is occurring, feelings of turmoil are ensuing and we are searching for safer ground. 

Mr. Bice's poetry book is drenched in a plethora of emotions from beginning to end.  The tone throughout the book is heavy, saturated in rich imagery that builds throughout each poem.  Joy and pain seem to intermingle and figure prominently in his writing. 

The emotions conveyed in his work are raw and real. Internal anguish is prominent in his piece, GOODBYE TO LOVE:

"Why did I stay with a broken heart
To you love was always À la cart
You took the good but not the bad
You drained me of everything I had."

Tortured emotions are conveyed in the above-noted quote and resonate throughout the book. 

Mr. Bice is not afraid to speak of love and give you a bittersweet ending as found in his poem, IN MY THOUGHTS:

"I’ll pray for you
You pray for me
I’ll forever live in my misery
While you sleep for eternity."

Mr. Bice's writing is not traditional.  He writes outside of the box, and does not cater to perceived expectations.   His writing is unapologetically teeming with unexpected twists and turns i.e., true love in all it's riveting glory, ending in either loss and/or death and/or longing.  This is bold. ​ There is a haunting element to his writing that touches the reader's core. These are deeply raw, sentimental moments the reader stumbles upon.  I walked away from the last page feeling thoughtful and brimming with the realization that we are all fragile and therefore must make a point of cherishing every moment that unfolds in our lives.

This poetry book is definitely worth purchasing and adding it to your reading arsenal. 

SPECIAL NOTES:

• You can acquire a copy of Christopher Bice's ​Escaping The Darkness: Running From My Dreams by clicking HERE
• You can follow Christopher Bice via his Instagram account by clicking HERE 
• You can follow Christopher Bice on his official Facebook account, Christopher Bice Poetry, by clicking HERE

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I was not requested to do this review. I did it of my own volition, volunteering my views in an effort to bring the author and potential reader together.

If you read a book, please remember to leave a review on any site of your choosing.  It acts as an incentive for other readers to purchase an author's book.  Writers are super appreciative of this kind act.

Book Review: Escaping The Darkness: Running From My Dreams ​written by Christopher Bice

Copyright (C) 2021  Mary-Lisa Russo 

Once upon a time, there was a girl who devoured books like they were sustenance for the soul and she grew and grew and grew, her mind made up of words and phrases and scenes and characters, inevitably spilling her own ink and creating poetry reflecting her own thoughts and vivid imagination.

Let's discuss STRANDS OF STRUGGLE, a compilation of poetry I recently devoured in one sitting by Indie writer, Brenda Christie.  ​

​​I personally believe it is important that as writers, we give a platform to other writers, especially strong, Indie authors who deserve to have their work read by avid readers who appreciate innate talent.  Brenda Christie is one such talent deserving of our attention.

I purchased Brenda's STRANDS OF STRUGGLE in January 2021, via Amazon Canada in paperback format.  It contains 98 poems, spread out in 101 pages and the book is light in weight, 145 g - easy to carry around and compact enough to place in a bag or purse. The book features a matte, satin finish, black, front and back cover with the title boldly written at the top portion of the book and the author's name set in smaller type at the lower end of the book. The middle, lower left of the book cover features a photo of what looks to be strings, a small hook and a female figure with bare feet and arms extended upwards gingerly floating amidst tiny stars.  The title and image on the cover compliment each other,  conveying a struggle, an uncertainty, a tangible pensiveness.  The female figure looks as if she is not sure of her place in the world.  The cover speaks volumes, revealing that before you turn the page and delve into the text of the book, the subject within the covers is not flighty, but rather brimming with strong emotions, tackling serious issues.

When I sit down to read a book, especially a book containing poetry, I want to be moved. I want my emotions and thoughts to be disturbed.  I want to feel underneath and outside of my skin. I want to connect with the ideas I am presented with in a natural manner. I want to expand my thinking and continue thinking long after I have closed the book. 

Reading STRANDS OF SRUGGLE my emotions became unravelled. A whole plethora  of feelings snaked through me, touching on nerves, filling up my thought process with questions and wonderment.  Ms. Christie expertly expounds on subjects such as animal rights, motherhood, activism, bullying, crime victims, and the blistering mind-slap that was 2020 (due to Covid-19).

How hauntingly beautiful are Ms. Christie's words in her poem, Pain Of The Moon:
"We will walk a million miles
to save a million lives and
the sky will be full of stories
told by the stars that hold the universe
together."

The imagery created by Ms. Christie in her poem, Crated Torture, paints a detailed picture:
"Last night I saw a butterfly
fade into the sunset of clouds
dragging a rainbow across a dancing
garden of petals kissing the sky."

Ms. Christie's ode to activism is felt strongly in her poem, Go Vegan For Regan:
"An extraordinary activist and human being.
All the love she held
will remain here on earth for all
the voices of the voiceless
and the rights for animals 
that she risked her life for."

Brenda Christie's writing style is raw, her emotions and thoughts unchained, allowed to give free reign to the wellspring of her feelings that are at the root of her every poem. This is not a vain effort on Ms. Christie's part. She speaks her truth in each poem as she she sees it through her own eyes. Ms. Christie does not write with a light tone, her work is serious in nature, deeply thought provoking and a must read for poetry lovers all over the world.   

​This one is a keeper in my personal library.

SPECIAL NOTES:

• You can purchase a copy of Brenda Christie's Strands of Struggle​ by clicking HERE
• You follow Brenda Christie via her Instagram account by clicking HERE
• You can follow Brenda Christie on her Goodreads account by clicking HERE

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I was not requested to do this review. I did it of my own volition, volunteering my views in an effort to bring the author and potential reader together.

If you read a book, please remember to leave a review on any site of your choosing.  It acts as an incentive for other readers to purchase an author's book.  Writers are super appreciative of this kind act.

Book Review: Strands of Struggle ​written by Brenda Christie

Copyright (C) 2021  Mary-Lisa Russo