Review of Contradictions from an Uncertain Silence

[Gabriela Contreras Gonzalez]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Contradictions from an Uncertain Silence" by Emmett Wheatfall.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Contradictions from an Uncertain Silence by Emmett Wheatfall is a poetry book that touches on the contradictions one faces in life while making political and social critiques about today’s world, specifically the United States of America.

The book begins with a quote by Jean-Paul Sartre: “Every word has consequences. Every silence, too.” And I loved it because it perfectly captures the nature of the book. Some of the topics readers can identify in the book are war, racism, violence, immigration, politics, and others. One thing I loved is that each of the reader's experiences shapes the meaning behind the poems; no one will read and interpret the same poem. As someone who grew up outside the United States, I was surprised at how I could relate the experiences I’ve had in my country with some of the things the author wrote.

Some of my favorite poems included “For as Long as We’ve Known,” “Contradictions from an Uncertain Silence,” “The Face of Your Nation,” “A Nod to Contempt,” “All That’s Ever in the Middle,” and “Wherever Americans Are.” I loved the message that the book has, the critique it gives to society, and how relevant it is with what is happening around the world, but I felt those poems were the ones with the most impactful and meaningful message.

There is nothing negative I can say about Contradictions from an Uncertain Silence. The book has been professionally edited, and while it might not become everyone’s favorite poetry book, it will start conversations and (hopefully) change perspectives. The book could resonate more with people of color and immigrants, as their experiences might resonate with the author’s ideas and message, but the book never imposes any ideas or is disrespectful, so it is suitable for anyone willing to read it with an open and understanding mind.

Overall, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. The book has less than thirty poems, so it can be a quick read on a rainy afternoon (like I did) or a book to share in a book club so you can discuss the message each poem has. When it comes to editing, I must congratulate the author, as the book is completely flawless; I could not find a single error.

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Contradictions from an Uncertain Silence
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[Onyemuwa-dave]

You've perfectly captured its essence, particularly how Emmett Wheatfall's poems, like "The Face of Your Nation," spark crucial "political and social critiques" while allowing for diverse interpretations. It's especially powerful that it resonated with your experiences growing up outside the U.S. Thanks for this awesome review.

[Kutloano Makhuvhela]

I am not that into poetry, so I will skip reading the book. However, your review was enlightening. Thank you for your fantastic job.

[Kibet Hillary]

“Every word has consequences. Every silence, too.”

Many have said this using different words and I am definitely of the same view. I am also thrilled that each reader will arrive at different interpretations of the same poem. This is one of the aspects that make a poetry book stand out. Thank you, @Gabriela Contreras Gonzalez, for the informative review.