Review of Compline

[Rishaunda Lynnette Britton]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Compline" by Karyn M. Bruce.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Compline is a collection of poems written by Karyn M. Bruce. The poems pushed me into a variety of emotions as I read about a young soul trying to make sense of the spiritual aspect of her life, even as she had to deal with parental negligence and the unease that comes from her parents' occasional drama. The good and sad memories, the aspirations, feelings of emptiness and doubts, and nature's benevolent solace and indications, among others, are captured with vividness and artfulness.

The poems are down-to-earth and convey deep spiritual meanings. There are instances where the author transcends mere physical happenings to suggest deeper, spiritual import, as can be seen in her connection of her scream about the life of an iguana to Jesus' scream about the life of a messenger. Also, in the poem titled "The Passionate Lady to Her Love," the poet transports us into the autumn season, highlighting the spiritual effect of its scented air. In the poem “It is Important to Know Where You Were Put on the Face of the Earth—Thomas Merton," she compares the experience that would come from the woods and pastures to the prayers of nuns in the convent.

The writing is laced with word choices carefully gauged to pass across the intended emotion, mental pictures, and opinions. Bruce has a way of coming into your mind and setting it up for an imaginative spree. She also has a great way of giving voice to quietness and motion to stillness. Instances of these can be seen in the following: In the poem "Compline (for Sister Frances Marie, RSM)," the poet paints a picture of what our prayers do in the enclosed solitude of church buildings after service. In the poem titled "In This Room Where She No Longer Is," we are invited to ponder what a person's last words and thoughts could be doing around the space they passed away. In the poem titled "A Symphony in Red (for Kathryn)," the placement of the two opposite words "fortissimo" and "soundless" sort of stimulates some raw mental drive and highlights the depth of the message therein.

Furthermore, the poems are embellished with relevant figurative devices. I appreciated the skillful use of personification and allusion and enjoyed the musicality and the rhythm, but I think my favorite was the beautiful scene created here with a simile: "Old. Like fading photographs hanging on living room walls. Old. Like shadows. In churches" (page 24 of 103). There are mentions of God, Jesus, heaven, and some Christian prayers, but I think the book's overall tone and outlook are more spiritual than religious, and then considering the book's exploration of nature, the effect of dysfunctional families on childhood and adult lives, and personal and spiritual development, I think this book should appeal to a wider audience.

Those going through personal or spiritual crises or trauma from parental upbringing should draw strength and insight from the author's life experiences and, hopefully, get to experience the healing and illuminating power of nature. This is another great option for lovers of poetry. I didn't dislike anything in this book, and, considering the well-crafted, impactful poems and the thorough proofreading, I rate it five out of five stars.

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Compline
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[Sandre Lamar]

This book evokes deep emotions and spiritual reflection through vivid, artful poetry. this collection a compelling read for a broad audience.

[Slippy Spectrum]

Wow, this review of "Compline" by Karyn M. Bruce is truly captivating! The reviewer describes the poems as emotionally powerful and spiritually meaningful, with vivid imagery and thought-provoking ideas. The author's skillful use of language and figurative devices is praised, particularly in creating impactful scenes and evoking deep emotions. The review also highlights the book's wider appeal, as it explores themes of nature, dysfunctional families, and personal and spiritual development. Overall, the reviewer rates the book five out of five and recommends it to those seeking strength and insight. From this review, it's clear that "Compline" is a must-read for poetry lovers and anyone going through personal or spiritual struggles. Evocative prose, painted vivid pictures in my mind.

[Idris Alooma]

Well, shoot! After reading this here review, I reckon this book called "Compline" by Karyn M. Bruce seems like a mighty fine read. It's full of poems that'll tug at your heartstrings and take you on a spiritual journey. The author's way with words sets your mind a-wanderin' and stirs up all sorts of emotions. It seems like this book touches on the struggles of life and finding meaning in it all, while findin' solace in nature. I reckon folks goin' through tough times or lookin' for some spiritual guidance might find solace in these here poems. I can't find nothin' wrong with it, so I give it a high-falutin' rating of five outta five! Compelling characters, felt fully developed and multidimensional.