Official Review: Nighthawk by Willa Deamer
Posted: 01 Jun 2019, 09:49
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Nighthawk" by Willa Deamer.]
4 out of 4 stars
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"I take advice from my friend the moon,
Because if she indeed can find the will,
To fight her darkness and start anew,
Then I can conquer these thoughts,
And into the night, I flew."
Nighthawk: Thoughts Born from the Night is a captivating poetry collection written by Willa Deamer. As the subtitle suggests, the collection draws inspiration from the moon, stars, weather, nature, and nighthawks, while addressing themes such as life, love, relationships, family, independence, regret, anger, forgiveness, and resilience.
Deamer's writing style is eloquent and approachable; so much so, that I finished the 105-page book in one sitting. While her poems vary in style, format, and length, they are hauntingly beautiful, emotive, and laden with imagery. Many of the longer poems rhyme, while the shorter passages of prose are succinct but profound; I enjoyed reading several of them more than once, including “Winter Rose.”
"I am the rare winter rose
Blooming even in adversity,
Harsh words you throw at me,
Only serve to deepen my roots.
I am the only color
Amidst the fallen white snow."
Deamer masterfully captures the essence of particular emotions and experiences. "Just Our Lives" delivers a powerful message about rape, while "Director" describes a controlling partner. However, the overall tone of the book is not dark, as Deamer balances the collection with uplifting poems such as "All Will Pass" and "Song of Old." Not a random collection, the poems are clear and purposeful without being predictable. Because many of the poems build upon one another, as in the ten-part "Nighthawk" series, this is a collection best read sequentially.
The editing is pristine, and I particularly like Deamer’s meticulous attention to detail. I have read more than a few poetry books that were disorganized and poorly edited. It's not that I want to stifle a poet's creativity, but poetic expression and punctuation are not mutually exclusive; Deamer confirms the fact. The collection is divided into five sections, which are thoughtfully grouped by themes. For instance, in "The Witching Hour," Deamer poignantly addresses family dynamics, such as the complicated mother-daughter relationship.
There honestly isn't anything I dislike about this engaging collection. However, my one suggestion for improvement would be the inclusion of a table of contents, enabling readers to view the book's layout at a glance. I am pleased to rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. In light of Deamer's approachable style, I wholeheartedly recommend it as an introduction to poetry; it will also appeal to more experienced poetry readers.
******
Nighthawk
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Cecilia_L's review? Post a comment saying so!
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
"I take advice from my friend the moon,
Because if she indeed can find the will,
To fight her darkness and start anew,
Then I can conquer these thoughts,
And into the night, I flew."
Nighthawk: Thoughts Born from the Night is a captivating poetry collection written by Willa Deamer. As the subtitle suggests, the collection draws inspiration from the moon, stars, weather, nature, and nighthawks, while addressing themes such as life, love, relationships, family, independence, regret, anger, forgiveness, and resilience.
Deamer's writing style is eloquent and approachable; so much so, that I finished the 105-page book in one sitting. While her poems vary in style, format, and length, they are hauntingly beautiful, emotive, and laden with imagery. Many of the longer poems rhyme, while the shorter passages of prose are succinct but profound; I enjoyed reading several of them more than once, including “Winter Rose.”
"I am the rare winter rose
Blooming even in adversity,
Harsh words you throw at me,
Only serve to deepen my roots.
I am the only color
Amidst the fallen white snow."
Deamer masterfully captures the essence of particular emotions and experiences. "Just Our Lives" delivers a powerful message about rape, while "Director" describes a controlling partner. However, the overall tone of the book is not dark, as Deamer balances the collection with uplifting poems such as "All Will Pass" and "Song of Old." Not a random collection, the poems are clear and purposeful without being predictable. Because many of the poems build upon one another, as in the ten-part "Nighthawk" series, this is a collection best read sequentially.
The editing is pristine, and I particularly like Deamer’s meticulous attention to detail. I have read more than a few poetry books that were disorganized and poorly edited. It's not that I want to stifle a poet's creativity, but poetic expression and punctuation are not mutually exclusive; Deamer confirms the fact. The collection is divided into five sections, which are thoughtfully grouped by themes. For instance, in "The Witching Hour," Deamer poignantly addresses family dynamics, such as the complicated mother-daughter relationship.
There honestly isn't anything I dislike about this engaging collection. However, my one suggestion for improvement would be the inclusion of a table of contents, enabling readers to view the book's layout at a glance. I am pleased to rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. In light of Deamer's approachable style, I wholeheartedly recommend it as an introduction to poetry; it will also appeal to more experienced poetry readers.
******
Nighthawk
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Cecilia_L's review? Post a comment saying so!
