Official Review: For the Love of Dad

LeDiplomatique · Post by **LeDiplomatique** » 03 Mar 2020, 06:51

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "For the Love of Dad" by Nadia Rosalee Gordon Pires.]

3 out of 4 stars

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For the Love of Dad is a poetry book, written by Nadia Rosalee Gordon Pires. The book is dedicated to her father, who succumbed to Myeloid Leukemia in 2009. The title of the book portrays a man who was loved, and who was worth remembering. Consequently, the poet wishes that the amazing legacy of her father lives on through this poetry. It is her debut collection, comprising of 30 poems, full of life, and written, mostly, from the poet’s point of view. The themes of the poems range from love, strength, wisdom, encouragement and perseverance. They tell us about the relationship between Isaac Roy Gordon and his 4 daughters, whom he considered equal to having sons. Isaac trained his daughters to be responsible in life and to view themselves as complete on their own.

The tone of the poems portrays an emotional poet, who enjoyed her life under her father’s guidance and love. Nadia Rosalee Gordon Pires shares a sea of personal memories of her experience under him. My favorite is when she brings a suitor to meet her father and the father rejects him. Nadia is broken, until she meets the real prince-charming. ‘Papa knows best’ was the lesson I learnt from this awesome, poetic nugget of wisdom. I was also touched by how she described her father’s reaction to his cancer diagnosis.

I most like the message of the poems. Even though they are direct, and don’t contain hidden meaning, the teachings in them are practical. Isaac Roy Gordon imparted life lessons, not only to his daughters, but also to other people in the community. I also loved that the lines within the verses are short, hence, allowing breathing space for the reader. The short lines also allow faster reading and enhance the emotional aspect of the poems. Additionally, the poems are from different perspectives. There is one, not narrated by the daughter, but a granddaughter. Moreover, the author has included pictures in the book, giving her message validity.

I least like that the poet did not pay particular attention to the structure of the poems. The length and grouping of the lines and stanzas is random. There is no identifiable stanza and line structure. The poems have no rhythm, which would greatly enhance the emotion of the poems. The poet does not utilize figurative language to the maximum. The inclusion of metaphors, analogues and vivid descriptions would have raised the quality of the poems to another level. However, I assume the poet wanted to modernize the poems, because modern poems do not strictly follow the traditional, poem structure.

The content of the book passes the readability score. This is because the language is comprehensible and does not carry unnecessary vocabularies. However, the free-verse style of the poems takes away the re-readability aspect. Apparently, these are not poems a reader would enjoy reading time and again. I came across errors. Nevertheless, the content is free of profanities and erotic content. I recommend this collection to those who need a hero they can look up to, Isaac Gordon was a hero, both to the family and outsiders. I also recommend it to people who are experiencing a low tide in their lives. Considerably, those who need encouragement. This book teaches resilience effectively.

We are not told when the book was written, even though we can deduct from the poems that it was written after Isaac’s demise, which could be any time after 2009. I will not rate the book 2 stars because the author has accomplished her purpose effectively by providing inspiring content. I will not rate it 4 stars since the author can still improve the artistic characteristics of the poems. I rate For the Love of Dad 3 out of 4 stars.

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For the Love of Dad
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Faithmwangi · Post by **Faithmwangi** » 19 Mar 2020, 09:54

This sounds like a lovely way to honor her father. He clearly had a huge impact in their lives.

En+kay · Post by **En+kay** » 19 Mar 2020, 12:27

This is a tribute to a loving dad, who raised daughters to stand alone without feeling inferior to others. The bond is seen and felt in the emotion laden poems. I can relate, am a daddy's girl too

Tavaiel26 · Post by **Tavaiel26** » 20 Mar 2020, 06:48

Thanks for the review! It's good to know that books like this exist, I still think I will take myself and my father issues somewhere else. At least for now. I might still recommend this book to my husband.

Ivana Tomaš · Post by **Ivana Tomaš** » 25 Mar 2020, 04:03

This sounds like a very emotional collection of poems, since the author dedicated this to his father. I think the poems are instructive and deep judging by your review.

Mara_1997 · Post by **Mara_1997** » 30 Mar 2020, 21:57

I can relate to waht the author was saying about his dad ,the same thing happened to me even when i was about to get married he said no and only to find out that the guy had a wife , so he knew what was best for me though he is gone may his soul rest in peace .I also like the idea that the author wrote whats exactly happening in other people's lives ,her book is encouraging and its easy to understand
I would rate this book with 3stars

LeDiplomatique · Post by **LeDiplomatique** » 08 Apr 2020, 03:46

Faithmwangi wrote: ↑19 Mar 2020, 09:54 This sounds like a lovely way to honor her father. He clearly had a huge impact in their lives.

Very true. It is an awesome legacy for a loved one. Thanks a lot for your comment Faithmwangi.

LeDiplomatique · Post by **LeDiplomatique** » 08 Apr 2020, 03:47

En+kay wrote: ↑19 Mar 2020, 12:27 This is a tribute to a loving dad, who raised daughters to stand alone without feeling inferior to others. The bond is seen and felt in the emotion laden poems. I can relate, am a daddy's girl too

I am glad the poems had a positive impact on you En+kay. Thanks a lot for your kind comment.

LeDiplomatique · Post by **LeDiplomatique** » 08 Apr 2020, 03:52

Tavaiel26 wrote: ↑20 Mar 2020, 06:48 Thanks for the review! It's good to know that books like this exist, I still think I will take myself and my father issues somewhere else. At least for now. I might still recommend this book to my husband.

You are welcome Tavaiel. Sorry about the daddy issues but I am glad that still there is someone special to make up for the male absence. I am sure it will inspire him as a father. Thanks a lot for your comment.

LeDiplomatique · Post by **LeDiplomatique** » 08 Apr 2020, 03:54

ivana7 wrote: ↑25 Mar 2020, 04:03 This sounds like a very emotional collection of poems, since the author dedicated this to his father. I think the poems are instructive and deep judging by your review.

I am glad they inspired you. I enjoyed them as well. Thanks a lot for your comment.

LeDiplomatique · Post by **LeDiplomatique** » 08 Apr 2020, 04:08

Mara_1997 wrote: ↑30 Mar 2020, 21:57 I can relate to waht the author was saying about his dad ,the same thing happened to me even when i was about to get married he said no and only to find out that the guy had a wife , so he knew what was best for me though he is gone may his soul rest in peace .I also like the idea that the author wrote whats exactly happening in other people's lives ,her book is encouraging and its easy to understand
I would rate this book with 3stars

I agree, the poems address common situations. I am glad you could relate with the poems. Thanks a lot for your comment.