Review of Response From the Other Side
Posted: 31 Jul 2021, 07:28
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Response From the Other Side" by Michael Trudeau.]
Response from the Other Side is a book of poetry by Michael Trudeau. The author states that the poems were written about his mental health challenges.
The poems have a rhyming scheme and read like song lyrics. I found myself setting them to music in my mind as I read them. I mentally interpreted these works with a variety of musical styles, like listening to a playlist.
For instance, the book’s namesake poem, “Response from the Other Side” reads like a rap.
I have had enough of you liar
I have become far too tired
Every time you try to climb higher
You fail and I am required
To come and pick up your pieces
I found myself wondering whether the liar referenced in the poem was another person or if it was a personification of the author’s mental health challenges. When people get down on themselves, I find myself telling them that their depression is lying to them and encouraging them not to give in to it. However, I don’t seem to be able to take my own advice.
The second poem, “Enslavement,” reads like a slow, melancholy melody.
Two paths divide through reality
And you wish to jump off the trail
And be left alone in your apathy
And looked down upon as a nobody
To where will these roads hail
As someone who wound up jumping off the trail of working for others earlier than expected due to mental and physical health issues, I relate to these words. I had a hard time figuring out who I was without my job to define me. I still have difficulty allowing myself to take breaks.
The author poses questions that have no right answer, leaving them open to the reader’s interpretation.
Can any man teach a lesson,
Are women worth the attention?
It’s difficult to tell if poetry has been professionally edited. These poems were written in a straightforward style and were easy to understand. There were no odd alternative spellings for common words. The e-book is well-formatted with clear breaks between each poem. Whether the author did all the editing and formatting himself or whether he had outside help, the result is a neat and professional product.
As someone who has endured a lifetime battle with my own mental health, I found the author’s work relatable. While I do enjoy reading classic sonnets and epic poetry and prose from authors of the past, I also appreciate modern poetry that has a rough-hewn, realistic, take no prisoners attitude. This book delivers.
Given the intense and powerful emotions expressed in these works, I am surprised that there is not an iota of profanity to be found. Personally, I would find it impossible to reveal pain of the magnitude expressed in these works without dropping a few f-bombs.
Readers who enjoy rough poetry with a jagged edge will appreciate this collection of words that hit like a sharp slap across the face. Those readers who prefer classical poetry forms would be better off choosing a different book.
I found nothing whatsoever to dislike about Response from the Other Side. I give it four out of four stars.
******
Response From the Other Side
View: on Bookshelves
Response from the Other Side is a book of poetry by Michael Trudeau. The author states that the poems were written about his mental health challenges.
The poems have a rhyming scheme and read like song lyrics. I found myself setting them to music in my mind as I read them. I mentally interpreted these works with a variety of musical styles, like listening to a playlist.
For instance, the book’s namesake poem, “Response from the Other Side” reads like a rap.
I have had enough of you liar
I have become far too tired
Every time you try to climb higher
You fail and I am required
To come and pick up your pieces
I found myself wondering whether the liar referenced in the poem was another person or if it was a personification of the author’s mental health challenges. When people get down on themselves, I find myself telling them that their depression is lying to them and encouraging them not to give in to it. However, I don’t seem to be able to take my own advice.
The second poem, “Enslavement,” reads like a slow, melancholy melody.
Two paths divide through reality
And you wish to jump off the trail
And be left alone in your apathy
And looked down upon as a nobody
To where will these roads hail
As someone who wound up jumping off the trail of working for others earlier than expected due to mental and physical health issues, I relate to these words. I had a hard time figuring out who I was without my job to define me. I still have difficulty allowing myself to take breaks.
The author poses questions that have no right answer, leaving them open to the reader’s interpretation.
Can any man teach a lesson,
Are women worth the attention?
It’s difficult to tell if poetry has been professionally edited. These poems were written in a straightforward style and were easy to understand. There were no odd alternative spellings for common words. The e-book is well-formatted with clear breaks between each poem. Whether the author did all the editing and formatting himself or whether he had outside help, the result is a neat and professional product.
As someone who has endured a lifetime battle with my own mental health, I found the author’s work relatable. While I do enjoy reading classic sonnets and epic poetry and prose from authors of the past, I also appreciate modern poetry that has a rough-hewn, realistic, take no prisoners attitude. This book delivers.
Given the intense and powerful emotions expressed in these works, I am surprised that there is not an iota of profanity to be found. Personally, I would find it impossible to reveal pain of the magnitude expressed in these works without dropping a few f-bombs.
Readers who enjoy rough poetry with a jagged edge will appreciate this collection of words that hit like a sharp slap across the face. Those readers who prefer classical poetry forms would be better off choosing a different book.
I found nothing whatsoever to dislike about Response from the Other Side. I give it four out of four stars.
******
Response From the Other Side
View: on Bookshelves
