OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Lockdown Collection" by Barry Jacob.]

“The Lockdown Collection” by Barry Jacob is a collection of poems written during the COVID-19 pandemic. The poems range from dealing with the complex emotions of lockdown to dealing with current events to football and other Irish sports. The poems follow a similar format, with each being around a page. The subjects of the poems continue to change, keeping things interesting and continuing to spark interest. The poems deal with both deep and lighthearted issues. This gives you a variety of things to think about and gives a good balance to the book.

The thing that I liked the most about the book was how relatable the poems were. The poems resonated with everything I remember about the lockdown, and the back and forth between lighthearted and more serious things reminded me about how complicated that time was. It was filled with both very complicated world events as well as entertainment to get through the harder times. Jacob does not have any issues discussing very difficult matters, like President Trump or the continuing conflict in Afghanistan. But then they can be really lighthearted, discussing and rooting for local Irish athletes.

The thing I liked least was some of the ways the poems were written. I know it was meant to be artistic with the poetic nature of the collection, but it was distracting at times from what Jacob was trying to say. In addition, I found an entire poem that was repeated and other poems that were very similar. I would have rather had a smaller collection of poems than the repetition.

Overall, I would give this book a 3 out of 5 rating. I gave this rating because Jacob was very artistic and broad in his scope, having poems that everyone can relate to. However, the writing style took away my interest and sometimes he would repeat topics. Once, even a whole poem was repeated. Though the writing and language are appropriate for all audiences. People that were young adults or adults would benefit more from this collection.

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The Lockdown Collection
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Barry Jacob's The Lockdown Collection captures the diverse emotions of the COVID-19 pandemic through poems that balance depth and lightheartedness, offering thoughtful reflections on lockdown, current events, and Irish sports.

It seems like "The Lockdown Collection" by Barry Jacob is a mixed bag. The reviewer appreciates the relatability of the poems, touching on various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. However, they also note that the writing style can be distracting and repetitive at times. Overall, the reviewer gives it a 3 out of 5 rating. If you're looking for a collection that captures the ups and downs of lockdown life, this book might be worth considering, but be aware of the potential drawbacks. Atmospheric setting, felt like another character in the story.

The collection covers a wide range of emotions and topics from the lockdown, balancing serious issues with lighter moments. I appreciate how relatable the poems are, capturing the complexity of that time. However, the repetition and some distracting writing choices detract from the overall experience. Based on the review, I’m not sure if I’ll read this book.

I haven’t read "The Lockdown Collection," but it sounds like the poems serve as a kind of time capsule, even if the repetition made it feel less polished. I can see how reading poems that echo both the shared global tension and personal diversions of that time could be strangely comforting.

Thank you for the honest and balanced review. It’s interesting how the poems reflect both the serious and lighter moments of the pandemic—definitely sounds relatable. I appreciate your point about the repetition and writing style; it’s helpful to know what to expect. Still, I think the variety of themes might make it worth checking out!