Poetry Books

If you like Li-Young Lee, you will love this book. If you have never heard of him but love poetry, buy this book. There are many great poems hidden between the covers of this book.

I have been a fan of Li-Young Lee for about four years. This started when I came across his poem "Persimmons" in an introductory to poetry class. "Persimmons" instantly captivated my attention. I bought his book of poetry "Rose and I was not let down. There are several poems in "Rose" that I hold in high regards like " Persimmons," such as "From Blossoms," "Ash, Snow, or Moonlight," and "Early in the Morning," amongst others. Lee writes a lot about nature, fruit, his father, and coming to America from China and feeling like an outsider. Lee has a very artistic mind and is able to capture daily things and express it on paper in an imagery filled, non-traditionally detailed, lyrical way. He is one of my all time favorite poets and I would recommend "Rose," to everyone.

Li-Young Lee's poems are powerful, beautiful and speak to the humanity in all of us. I marvel at his command of language, the artists eye with which he sees the world, and his ability to share these with the reader. Writing about the mundane, such as his wife's hair or a bag of peaches, memories of his father, or reminisences of being an immigrant, in each poem is a work of art. I strongly recommend this collection of poetry, especially for those who who have read little (or none) poetry - these poems are simple, beautiful and striking - a magnificent collection.

li young lee has the most phenominal approach to poetry..he will have you riveted from page one...buy this book...

Li-Young Lee, Rose (Boa Editions, 1986)

I am a longtime fan of Li-Young Lee's work, but I somehow never got round to reading Rose, his first book, until now. Sometimes going back and reading the first published work of an author is interesting in that you can see how s/he developed over the years (this is reviewer-code for "man, this book is not nearly as good as I was expecting"); such is not at all the case with Lee, whose first pieces are just as polished, professional, and deeply absorbing as his most recent work:

"From laden boughs, from hands,
from sweet fellowship in the bins,
comes nectar at the roadside, succulent
peaches we devour, dusty skin and all,
comes the familiar dust of summer, dust we eat.

O, to take what we love inside,
to carry within us an orchard, to eat
not only the skin, but the shade,
not only the sugar, but the days, to hold
the fruit in our hands, adore it, then bite into
the round jubilance of peach."
("From Blossoms")

Li-Young Lee is a fabulous poet, and if you haven't yet discovered his work, I can't recommend strongly enough that you seek him out as soon as possible. A true poetic treasure. **** ½

Hello Reader! Thank you for checking out Secrets of My Soul. Of my 3 book collections, Secrets is the first, and readers have told me that it is their favorite book of poems. I am really proud of this book. Although it was the first, I continue to read this book everywhere I go . . . schools, community events, etc. High school students love this book for its love poems. Female readers love this book for the encouragement, hope and lessons that it shares with the lady soul. Men love this bookb because it's honest and in touch with the identity of being a descent human being.

"Dare me to pursue this, to pen the secrets of my soul in Father Time's precious ink, royal black and memory gold. I do it cry the truest tear, for a writing heart never bleeds fear." I hope that you will be intrigued by what I do with words in Secrets of My Soul. I love alliteration and rhyme, but most importantly, I live to give meaning in each poem that I write. There's something in this book for everyone: man, woman, boy, girl. There's something for us all. There's a lesson. There's a lyric. There's life. Enjoy it!

Secrets of My Soul
Reviewed by: Wanda Starkes, C&B Books

Ms. Latorial Faison's, Secrets of My Soul, collection of poetry is uplifting - And a delightful ray of work. Intelligently written, Latorial explores various issues and plights regarding self, family, and the world describing them in words filled with spirituality, empowerment, love and joy.
I especially enjoyed the positive energy that I personally felt as I read each one of her poems. I look forward to reading more poetry by Ms. Faison's in the near future.


Her poetry is a wonderful 'Fruit of Thoughts'.

Secrets of My Soul is an excellent book of Poetry. A real mind opening experience was created. Another rather interesting book is The Throne Room. They are a must. Happy reading!

Before I was an author I was a poet and Secrets of My Soul is why. I love words and the playful way that poets make words do what they say. Latorial Faison is indeed a poet. She had me from title poem and when I stumbled upon "Mirrored Soul," I knew I had found someone whose work I'd eat up...hungrily. I've also become a avid fan of haikus and #9 is my favorite with her wordplay with sun/Son. If you only buy the book for "You Never Did Own Me," trust that by the time you get to "I Dare You," you will be glad you did.

I finally read Latorial's book and all I could think was "these poems were written for ME!" Ms. Faison's words struck so many chords in me. Her poems spoke to my soul and helped me reveal secrets that had been locked in me since childhood. She is a talented writer and I can't wait for her next book!

I have lost count of the number that I have bought of this book. Certainly the first gift I would give a new baby. I am fortunate that I know Sylvia personally and her delightful personality shows forth in all her books.

This is my 4 year old's favorite book. He recieved it for his 1st birthday and we have been reading it ever since. It grows with him from looking at the illustrations at age one, to using the bookmark, reading on his own and looking up his favorites in the rear index. Better yet, I never tire of the clever adaptions. I give it to every new mom I know. Amazon has a great price, when I'm slow and have to buy it at the store I pay $[...]

A great Mother Goose experience for child and reader alike -- sturdy colorful pages. Only one poem per page.

This is my favorite Mother Goose collection. Wonderfully illustrated. Sylvia is a talented artist. A good choice for a first born.

This is the most beautiful Mother Goose ever written. Children are mesmerized by the artistry, and even adults feel cozy and warm reading the familiar rhymes, and searching for the hidden treasures in Long's depictions. A perfect baby gift, or children's birthday present!

I am one of the contributing teens to this book and I just wanted to say thank you to Jennifer for all of her hard work she has put into it.. It is truly an awesome book! And it's so amazing to see that one of my poems (Dear Dad) is in a book that is actually for sale online! Wow! :) Thanks to everyone who bought the book and are helping to support the families whos lives were changed after 9/11.. God Bless!

Of all the emotions and thoughts flying around regarding the incident on September 11th...it's comforting to know that people around the world, especially the youth, can unite to take a stand. This book offers the feelings, thoughts and prayers of teens around the world. It was touching to read the different poems, which contain so much love... The most interesting thing about this book, is that many of these poets might not have ever written a poem of this magnitude. But by gathering in all of their feelings, and especially their love they were able to create masterpieces! I encourage all to take a look at this wonderful book, not only for the fantastic poems, but because 50% of the profits are donated to those families that were hardest hit. God bless all, and may we have the power to protect eachother! -Kris-

Through the Eyes of Freedom is a poetic anthology (by mostly Teens) in response to the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks. Individuals from acrossed the USA, and in three countries, wrote poetry on the American Online web-site. Through the Eyes of Freedom captures the voices of America during the first few days following that tragic and fatefull day. What keeps going through my mind is: What if there was an Internet during 1941, when Peal Harbor was attacked? What if young Americans around the USA posted their thoughts through poetry and those poems were collected into a book. You would have an honest record for history of that time. Through the Eyes of Freedom is just such a book. In my view it is an unprecendented work. I am so proud to be a contributor, especially so since 50% of the proceeds will be donated to help the suffering families of the heroes we lost on that day. BTW (by the way)the poetry itself is really good!

I am truly amazed at the quality of this book. Mulling thorugh book stores to find the perfect book to find a way to ease the pain and feel closure from September 11, 2001, only this book enabled me to do so. The book is a compliation of poetry from students and parents across the nation in response to the attack. It's truly remarkable how touching one book can be. As i shared it with other classmates, none could read the book without shedding a tear. It is reuly a soul grabbing book. Thank you Jennifer for producing such a wonderful book...

This book is truly amazing. It open your heart to see the view of teens all across the US about the September 11, 2001, attacks. I've given the book to many friends during class and by reading only one or two, all were teary-eyed, and some couldn't stop crying. The book is so insightful an beautifully put together. Recently, I went to a book store and was mulling over the numerous books on September 11...something, anything to put an end to everything i was thinking. This book does that fo me, it helps close the feelings i have and make me know it's okay to feel the way I'm feeling. No other book is this powerful.

We'd been given Pop Top 123. What a wonderful book. Being a mom of a 3-year old, and having an interest in art history, I decided to buy all the books in the series. Make Van Gogh's bed is second best. None nearly as well written and engaging as Pop Top. The art is wonderful. The tactile areas are ok. The story, not so engaging. Stick with Pop Top 123.

These delightful books introduce young children to the glories of the great masterpieces in an approachable, hands-on way. The reproductions are beautiful, the text is imaginative and the idea is extremely inventive/They would make perfect gifts for children of all ages and the adults would enjoy them, and learn something, too!

This is a great touch and feel book! It includes:
Van Goghs Bedroom at Arles- Vincent van Gogh
Still life with Cherries and Peaches- Paul Cezanne
Still life with Three Puppies- Paul Gaughin
L'etoile (the Star)- Edgar Degas
A Girl with a Watering Can- Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Children on the Beach- Mary Cassatt
The Water Lily Pond: Green Harmony- Claude Monet
The Cradle- Berth Morisot
The Starry Night- Vincent van Gogh

We love this whole series of books! The authors include a short paragraph at the end of the book about each work of art and the artist who created it. While the prose in this book isn't stellar, the art is truly the star, and makes the book fun to read for us grownups.
Both my 18 month old and my 3 yr old enjoy these books! And so do I, the mommy!

"touch the art series" are some of the best in the market of children's books and these authors are fabulous. if you love art and would like to pass that love on to your child or grandchild, these are a must. I LOVE THEM!!

This book has it all. Three of the five senses anyway are engaged - sight, sound, and touch.

What do we see?

Art - great art. Masterpieces of Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cezanne, and, of course Van Gogh. Each spread introduces a famous canvas. Each one is a feast for young eyes. And older ones too...

What do we feel?

Each reproduction has a tactile area that all will want to touch. Scratchy sandpaper in Cassatt's Children on the Beach. Silky peach fuzz in Still Life with Peaches and Cherries by Cezanne. And of course a frilly tutu in L'Etoile by Edgar Degas.

What do we hear?

Rhythmic rhymes alongside each painting take us through a day at the beach.

It begins with Van Gogh's bedroom at Arles -

Wake up!
Good morning sleepy head.
It's time to make your messy bed.

It ends with The Starry Night, also by Van Gogh.

It's dark outside.
Stars are shining bright.
Pull up your covers
and say good night!

Courtlynn, age 14 months, gives it a strong endorsement.

I'm stuck in the first few chapters of this collection. It is much darker compared to the immediately uplifiting through positive insight book, The Prophet. It is however still filled with Gibran's signature wisdom just in a slow and gloomy kind of way. It is a must have for any Gibran lover just be prepared.

My father first gave me a copy of this powerful, and yet distant writer who exposed my mental eye to a world far away; yet close to home. Kahlil Gibran inspired me beyond words, and I know as a writer that every word written inspires someone; however, this author is my prime example of how race has no matter in words that scatter ignorance. He'd addressed the heart and mind on subjects with great story telling power. My original copy of his book is so old that it is falling apart, and so I bought this collection in order to share his words with others without concern for the condition of the book. I read a few pages to a young lady in one of my classes and she went out and bought her a copy, too. I had no idea that I was missing out on so much more incredible stories and poems until I'd made this purchase. I leave it to you form your own opinion.

Everyone seems to have known about this book but me! Where have I been? The poems and stories in this book absolutely give me those wonderful goose-bumps that come when I experience something very special.

I am very pleased with this purchase. The book was shipped quickly and in excellent condition and I love the book!

"I know that the principles upon which I base my writings, are echoes of the spirit of the great majority of the people of the world..." (656)
-Kahlil Gibran in a letter to his cousin, Nakhli Gibran, in 1908.

"The Treasured Writings of Kahlil Gibran", is a compilation of three other books of Gibran's treasury of writings, that each contained several books in one volume. They were: "A Treasury of Kahlil Gibran" (1947), "A Second Treasury of Kahlil Gibran" (1957), and "A Third Treasury of Kahlil Gibran" (1965). A total of ten books in all, this volume contains earlier books by Gibran such as, "Tears And Laughter", and more mature and widely acclaimed books such as, "The Broken Wings." In addition to the beautiful prose, verse, and imaginative stories, there is also biographical information and letters written by, and to Gibran. This is perhaps the most comprehensive book of Kahlil Gibran's writings, and one of the most informative about the man himself.

Philosopher, artist, and poet; these are some of the titles that are used to describe Kahlil Gibran. In order to fully describe this remarkable man, and this book, "The Treasured writings of Kahlil Gibran", one must reach beyond a mere title and use words such as passion, purity, and even divinity. To read this book is to realize this was a mortal man who sincerely understood the difficulties of being human, and yet often looked into the tender eyes of the divine, and shares his belief that he can see this light in the eyes of others.

"The riches of the spirit beautify the face of man and give birth to sympathy and respect. The spirit, in every being is made manifest in the eyes..." (488)

To absorb the depth of Gibran is to discover your own soul's longing for light and life, for beauty and joy. It is to hear the cries of your own heart's ecstasy as a friend, companion, and lover. With his writings, Gibran seems to gently take us by the hand, and listen with us, for our own whisper of echoing spirit.

Brian Douthit
Author Of Perfectly Said: when words become art

Some of us like it rough. This dame plays the way we used to play in the streets of Philly. There is elegance, there is subtle intelligence, yes, all that, but the best part is that when the ball hits you, it stings like hell. She writes of life and living, but also of eternity and death. She is somber, but never depressing. The language itself is encouraging, even when her message is not. This is a 20th century poet who has seen it all and isn't afraid to remind us of what man is capable of. The techniques are modern, too, but the love of language surely belongs to the old world. This is the kind of poetry we all used to love to read. She plays hard ball.

Wisala Szymborska's poetry passes the test of intelligibility which is important to me. Virtually all of her poems are self contained in that they do not make arcane literary allusions. In other words, her poetry can be appreciated by the average reader which I consider myself to be. She does not limit herself in subject matter so her poetry contains something for everyone, and also with a subtle humor and an obvious understanding of the human condition. She does not require a lot of words or a lengthy poem to share her own unique insights. Reading this Nobel laureate one thinks how nice it wold be to meet this great lady. Although I devoured this collection the day I received this book, it is one which I will certainly read again.

This book was and still is my first poetry book; not because I haven't read anyone else's, but it's the first compilation that I was really willing to pay the often outrageous prices for. (LOL) I am not an avid poetry reader, nor am I familiar with the current favorite contemporary poets, but I find that she really does succinctly portray "life's improbability as well as its transient beauty" quite well.

As a younger reader , I do have a bit of a problem identifying with the poetry that she writes pre-1972 (that is, the first few sections before the 'Could Have' section), because I don't really know much about it. As a note though, I probably should say that 'Nothing Twice,' which is about the probabilities of chance, from the pre-1972 section has been a real gem. Anyhow, the travelogues, the places, the books are things that frankly, I'd ask my parents and they probably wouldn't know either, or know very little about. I suppose if I researched enough, I would have no trouble understanding her message, but the stuff I really bought this book for was the pro-1972 sections. I can identify the issues because they're fairly general knowledge and have a certain mocking humor to some of them, but the words do just pull you in. The poems are addressed to one, and to all, and you feel like you're part of the whole. There are instances in which you feel like she's writing about you and the instances you've gone through, and that's what makes you feel amazed at the depth of understanding she has on these matters.

I first discovered her poetry in my high school English class and was surprised to find this book as the only book available in my favorite bookstore (and costing almost triple the cost of a volume of poetry that must have been 600 pages long, with of course long-dead, long-cherished poets). Oh, wait--I did find another book containing her work (that I don't remember the name of) but I bought this one because there were simply more poems that I liked. After a month or two of muddling around and waiting for the price drop (which it didn't), I just gave up and bought it. I can't say that I've regretted that decision.

And...if you still have trouble deciding, the Nobel Prize for Literature she won should be more than enough of a pull to help you decide. It wasn't as much of a deciding factor for me, but it's always nice to know that somewhere in the depths of the blackhole that is my room, I actually have nobel prize literature that I understand and can recommend to others...

My favorite poems from her have been 'Could Have,' 'The Onion,' 'Discovery,' 'True love,' 'Under One Small Star,' 'Pi,' of course 'View with a grain of Sand' because of wordplay, but I find that every time I re-read it, I uncover more about the poems and so that favorites list keeps on getting longer and longer.

It may sound a little strange, but I keep it with me when I travel for long periods of time away from home and turn to it when I have that rare solitary moment to really think about life and what its inner workings are because it just gives such a realistic criticism that you sort of go...wow. Never really thought about it like that before.

The Nobel Laureate in Literature of 1996 was proudly bestowed on Wislawa Szymborska, the first Polish woman to receive the prize for literature. While they are other Polish recipients like poet Czeslaw Milosz, Wladyslaw Reymont, and Henry Sienkiewicz to have received the honor, Wislawa is the first woman. While she writes poetry mostly, she has written prose. My biggest problem with poetry is that when it's written in another language, I believe it gets lost in translation but rather the meaning is not lost among its readers. The translators have the arduous task of translating from Polish to English. If you anything about Polish, it's not an easy language to translate from especially to English. But Wislawa is worthy of receiving such top honors because she is now well-known, highly regarded and respected. She has not changed much since she was awarded the NObel prize. She still lives in the same three room apartment in Cracow, she still smokes, and she is still the same humble person who despite her own feelings is quite worthy of such a prize.

...Containing over eighty poems from seven original collections, this book serves as a well-rounded and pleasant introduction to Szymborska's work. This is a good choice for anyone interested in good poetry, women under communist regimes, or Polish literature.

There is an Angoni tribal proverb that says, "The dust of Africa never leaves the soles of your feet." If this heartfelt paean to Ms. Jahme's mother country is any indication, that proverb must surely be true. In poems that range from inspiring beauty to deeply troubling, Susan Jahme shows her readers Africa as she knows it.

In an excerpt from "Gentle Giants", we clearly see the spirit and reality of Alrican elephants:
Infinite, unconditional love,
Enwrapped in wrinkled folds
Of harmless, wise old eyes,
Heavily fringed in silken lashes,
Shining benevolently at their kin.

African nights come alive in "Night Noises of the Veld":
A hollow quiet without a stir,
For an empty stop of time,
When man, beast and spirit
Jointly hold their collective breath,
Whilst the sun slides in solitude
Beyond Earth's horizon line.

A deep, reverent love of place and time is expressed in "Wistful Ache for Africa":
Wistful ache of the love
For the tawny plains
Surrounding highlands
That thrust up,
Touching the skies
Under hot sun clad days.

"Withered Africa" is a heartbreaking lament for the continent that has lost much of its glory:
She lies on her back,
A tired old sequinned ...,
Her once full ...
Lie flaccid and dry...
All youth expelled,
No longer
Proud races to suckle...

Ms. Jahme's prize winning poetry has raw power and quiet introspection. She extols the rivers, wonders, and people of Africa as they are now, and laments the proud tribes, treasures, and animals that used to be. Highly recommended.

I have known Susan Jahme, the author of "African Sunshine and Shadows" since she was a teen-age girl in Blantyre, Malawi. Consequently it was with a great deal of interest and anticipation that I awaited publication of this anthology. To us who have lived, loved and labored in Africa, and who have traveled the highways, by-ways and dusty foot paths of this great continent, camped in its great Game preserves and
listened to the roar of the lions at night, it conveys a profound
message.

In her own unique, interesting and powerful way, Susan
portrays the wonders, the beauty, the grandeur, the majesty of its unequalled scenery and wildlife and bird life. And then with fervent passion, she paints word pictures of the tragedies wrought by centuries of hatred and warfare between tribal factions that has plagued Africa since time immemorial. I was profoundly touched by "We Once Had A Farm In Africa" and "Withered Africa." both of which describe so well the
situation in much of southern Africa today.

I heartily recommend the book to anyone who enjoys unique, passionate and deeply profound poetry of a type rarely seen today. Those who have dreamed of seeing this great continent with its wildlife and majestic scenery, and those who want to know what Africa is really like, with all its beauty and its tragedy, should read it.

Jahme definitely has a gift for poetry. I personally liked the poems that told a story best. She has keen insight into the details and struggles of life in Africa. One special touch in the book that I haven't often seen elsewhere are short definitions and explanations following certain poems. Some of the place names, events and people were unfamiliar to me and these short definitions really brought me closer to what she was talking about. As for the poems with the explanations, I felt as though I understood where her inspiration came from, which in turn inspired me. For example, one poem that is good in itself becomes great when you realize that it was inspired by looking at a child in Cape Town who was homeless due to his parents dying from AIDS.

African Sunshine And Shadows showcases the work of South African poet Susan Jahme and thoroughly documents her as an outstanding new poet. This debut collection offers up beautiful and rhythmic verse painting a word portrait of Africa in the twenty-first century. Oh Africa!/Fruitful woman,/Now laid to wast/With misguided misuse.../Once supplying Nations/The milk and honey of your core,/That starve now.//No virtue had you then,/Nor do you now.../But oh, sweet symphony,/Your body was lush,/Ripe and Firm!//Every man wanted/To make his home on your/Welcoming, rolling plains,/Sowing seed to be cultivated,/Then harvested/By his daughters,/And sons.//Open your eyes,/Looking over the endless stretch/Of this fickle woman, Africa,/See what is happening before you,/As back to ancient tribalism/She turns her people,/One by one.//Eating one another/With tribal hatred/That no foreigner can understand,/Now.../Nor could they when they first came,/Settling this sensual woman's/Eruptive, secret places.//Beneath the endless blue/Of her skies,/Ethnic tribes clash,/As in long ago times,/Before the missionary and adventurer/Arrived to lay claim to this woman,/And the men of her lands.

African Sunshine and Shadows is beautiful inside and out Among other rare abilities, Susan Jahme shows rather than tells. Before we know it we are in Africa. . .and we want to stay. If not forever, long enough to get to know her. Her people! Be prepared to grieve as well as celebrate. Because of Susan Jahme, Margaret Collingswood's The Poisonwood Bible and my latest find, Alexandra Fuller's, Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, I find myself hunting avidly for African histories. Which could not be more fitting for a poet. One of many debts we owe to the vast and fascinating and beleaguered continent is her strong and lasting influence on music and poetry. Susan Jahme lives in Africa, and she knows. Reading her carefully-crafted poems is both joy and eye-opener. Brava!!
Phyllis Jean Green {aka Phyllis J. D. Green}, Author/Editor/Educator...

Anger, Acknowledgement, and Acceptance (Blatant Honesty) is a wonderful book. I have not been able to put it down. I constantly go back to the book and re-read because it makes one think (I keep it close at hand). A few days after the World Trade Center tragedy on September 11th, as I was reading the book, I read the page titled "Culture's Destroyer". It has helped me to cope with the pain of what happened. The book is wonderful! A must read for everyone.

THE BOOK ANGER, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE: BLATANT HONESTY BY E.T. DAVIS IS JUST THAT, THE WINDS OF CHANGE. WE OPEN AAABH IN THE MIDDLE OF ANGER, OPEN HOSTILITY AND DOWNRIGHT EVIL FEELINGS. IT SHOWS A SPIRIT OF NOT TRUSTING, OF BEING DOWNTRODDEN AND BEATEN QUITE OFTEN. IT SHOWS A SPIRIT OF NOT TAKING ANY MORE, THE ESSENCE OF TRUE ANGER OVER LIFE AND HOW IT HAS BEEN DEALT OUT. AS WE GO ON WE SEE THE CHANGING OF THE SPIRIT. THE WINDS BEGINNING TO TURN AS A SHIP SLOWLY TURNS IN THE OCEAN. NOT A FAST NECK BREAK TURN, BUT A SLOW STEADY TURN AND A CHANGE OF DIRECTION OR THE WINDS OF CHANGE. MR. DAVIS MAY BE TALKING OF HIMSELF, HOWEVER, EACH AND EVERYONE OF US WHO HAVE READ THIS BOOK CAN ATTEST TO AT LEAST ONE VERSE IN THIS BOOK. KUDOES TO MR. DAVIS FOR OPENING HIS WORLD TO US. TO SHARE THE SPIRITS AND FEELINGS WE ALL HAVE HAD AT ONE TIME OR ANTOHER IN OUR OWN LIVES. TO SHARE HIS WINDS OF CHANGE.

People's lives were changed in so many ways because of what was referred to as the "Apartheid Regine" in South Africa. Yet all over the world people experienced such otrocities, but to place them into words as beautifully and touching as the author is no easy mission.

I was one of the first people to receive a copy of this book. Some I could identify with. With tears in my eyes, because of the hurt bestowed upon all South Africans and the "coloured" folk worldwide, not realizing how demoralizing it was, yet that made us a stronger people. I could not think that a man such as this could have such tenderness in his words.

EVERY poem is unique in it's own right. I will even go to the lenght of saying they are powerful and heart wrenching. To me, the book makes one realize that we are not alone. Oppression is something that so many of us face. Alll over the world people are discriminated against. "Step Into Our World" is the very first poem in this compilation. I suggest this poem be read by those who have not "walked a mile in our shoes".

I am from a world where I was discriminated against. A world where I am too white to be black, but too black to be white. I am what is considered in South Africa as "coloured", a limbo in society.

This book will be a hit with many, if not all, South Africans, as still today not all whites know the extent of humiliation and embarassment, hurt and emotional pain they bestowed upon us. Some will blissfully remain ignorant.

This book comes from a person whom seems like a tough and rugged man. Yet, he is a gentle giant; am man not afraid to express emotions. He is a man whom has truly "Touched My Soul".

In just a few pages, one must see the world as the media does not portray. Even in the midst of calamity, beauty is found in the author's portrayal of life.

Wonderfully expression of emotions. The author has invited us into his world, mind, heart and soul. Very thought provoking. I was deeply moved with each poem. This is truly a must read again and again,...you are brillant and I thank you so much for this collection of poems.

The life - project of Pessoa in his making of multiple poetic alter egos, reminds of the life - project of Kierkegaard who explored various aspects of the religious life through use of alter egos often representing different faculties, approaches and moods of life. But if Kierkegaard's aim is to bring the reader to realization of what it might be to be in true connection with God, Pessoa's seems to be more to dissipate the notion of unique identity completely out of existence. Thus the fragments he shores around his own ruin and attributes to alter ego , heteronym Bernard Soares have within them a strong nihilistic self- and - world denying element.
Yet and here is the contradiction and the deeper truth they also reveal a kind of beauty both in perception and in the varied motion of the mental life itself. Lonely solitary lost fragmented Pessoa knows no human sacrifice like that of Kierkegaard with Regina, knows no dedication to his father's task of doing God's duty in the most ultimate way. He instead seems to reveal hidden realities as he conceals that beyond them all may well lie an eternal nothing. Kierkegaard is the many- selved servant of God, and Pessoa the many - selved servant of nothing more holy than human poetry.

"If i think, it all seems absurd to me; if i feel, it all seems strange; if i desire, he who desires is something inside of me."
Sums up the book perfectly. Pessoa explores one of his many personalities. "The Book of Disquiet" explains, in complete depth and faith, the beauty of a lonely, existential, moment by moment life. He explains the beauty that people forget. He explains the world, his perception, as if every moment were the last.
"The book of disquiet" is one of the most insightful books a person can read, but only if one has imagination and an ability to let go. Bernardo Soars, Pessoa's personality who wrote the book, is extreme and eccentric. It isn't easy reading, and it won't affect you if you can't overlook the fact that life doesn't go on like Soars'; that there is more in thinking, dreaming, and desiring than Soars admits. What makes the book so special is how Soars can forget everything but the thought and the moment, and how he can analyze and critique and put into words something that most of us forget to remember. "The book of disquiet" reminds me, at least, of how to appreciate my own mind. It is the only philosophy-like book that i enjoy (as yet) because it is the real thing and encompasses a forgotten part of real life.

Fernando Pesoa's genius lies within who Pesoa was as nil and not. He wasn't anyone. Only somene who continually writes in "disquiet" his persona's variable exegesis. The writing is in the book but the author who wrote it, Fernando Pesoa does not "feel himself" as actually being who he is. So, maybe he's actually a different author, with a different name who begins to write a different book. There's all of the writing there, its genius evident in the mystery of the writing itself. All the writing invested with absolute revelation of numinous absence. The absence is that of the author's presence. Magic? Truly. The author is not there. But he must be "there" because he has no choice but to write. What's the answer for the author who is finds himself as absent? He must undertake the creation of the abent author's presence. How? By literally creating a utterly unique form of literature. A literature whose grammar is of being literal by making it possible to write of the absence of an author to himself into a presence to be known as the once absent identity. Writing through a textual hermeticism capable of transmutation through written words of the emanation of an author as "logos," or the Word. "In the beginning there was the Word." Through the Word as logos, all identity is created in the appearance, ex nilho, of the writer mediated solely through himself in this the new logos of writing itself. Pesoa is not himself. He's a man who achieves glimpses of a unmanifest self-referential identity only through his books. In the work of writing these books, this identity is made manifest as the author's anamnesis. Seemingly he finds out (remembers) he is, and always was, a certain author he now "remembers" as himself as a manifested presence. An absolute genius manifested as the author himself being (repeatedly) annihilated through radical self-doubt. Only later remembering who he was as absolute presence never to be lost again. Until this is accomplished all of the laborious, literal negotiations must of necessity begin anew, and are written as literature whose search arises from absence's discontent becomes the new discourse as the art and improvisation of real identity forged in the alchemy of narrative. This peculiar narative reaveals itself as a lived experience of self-discovery. One man of many parts dismembered in his own identity become self-inflicted and religious. Pesoa's own holy inquisition seeking and finding the indentity he is spurious, a phantasm of derealized personality perpetually guilty of having a persona found lacking, Wriiten out in texts as being found guilty of the "heresy" of having an identity. Never before Pesoa has an identity crisis of infinite magnitude been witnessed in Pesoa absence made real presence in some of the 2OTH century's finest writing and poetry. of the 20TH century in The writing of a man named Fernando Pesoa. A man lost to himself, in search of the "person" underneath the name. Personality and identity as reality grounded in a mystery only to be known by itself: self found through words that are the artifacts of the self discovered. A genius lost to himself and calling his absent identity into gradual existence by a person's absence fading into a personality that's presented in multiple, shifting Heteronyms, or cases of terminal identity lost and regained.

Poetry often speaks to us; we see something in it, something recognizable, and it's like we are shown a piece of ourselves that had been hidden for a lifetime before. Finding Pessoa's *Book of Disquiet* was like finding a piece of myself. In the pages of this poetic novel you will find honesty, often self-disparaging, and you will find beauty in the smallest observation. However, be forewarned, this is not a book that should be picked up with the idea of light reading in mind. In fact, you may find that you have to put it down, repeatedly, to get away from it, to think, but you will always, always come back to it. Keep it close to hand.

there are few poets able to assume so many diferent personalites as Fernando Pessoa. But Bernardo Soares is not a diferent personality, is just the other side of his personnal mirror, an escape to his tortured soul. Probably that is why The Book of Disquiet is so universal, a portait of the human fears, an example of a lonely man,travelling across his own mind, looking at the world through the most ironic eyes. Fernando Pessoa was able to understand dissapointment and regreat in a intemporal way, as a natural part of human nature. So, this book has the ability to make you look inside yourself, guide by one of the best poets of all times!