Official Review: Leviathan by Kent C Schroer

Niv123 · Post by **Niv123** » 16 Feb 2020, 04:56

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Leviathan" by Kent C Schroer.]

3 out of 4 stars

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A book that must not be judged based on its size or cover, Leviathan is a collection of poems, drenched in a mist of realism and mysticism that hypnotizes the reader, whilst also jerking him back to reality with a clever pun or anecdote.

Kent C Schroer uses his exquisite vision to pen down beautiful poems with moving imagery. The poems aren't exactly mainstream, but are similar to confessional poetry, which gained popularity in the 20th century. Schroer tackles a number of problems in the world today, whilst also adhering to the poetic language to keep up the mystical element in the poem.

To name a few, he talks about the passage of time, human compassion, the need for companionship and appreciation, and the various relationships one comes across in life. He also manages to knit his own memories from his childhood and adulthood in small reminiscent sentences, making the reader aware of the sensitivity in his soul.

What I loved most about the book was his description of the natural world along with the complex life of a human being. He draws a picture of the mundanity of everyday, but also captures the beauty that still encapsulates itself within nature, if only one chooses to look for it. We see biblical figures like Lazarus along with Greek heroes like Ulysses appearing in the poems, adding to the strong imagery in the book. I loved the poem 'The Wedding Guest’, as it struck a chord with me on a personal note. It wouldn't be far-fetched to say that most of the poems have a universal appeal.

The poems are written in free verse. There are no perceivable rhymes or metres that have been followed. The themes are unique whilst also being united in their diversity. I did come across a couple of spelling errors, which was a shame as it was otherwise well-edited. I would rate the book 3 out of 4 stars, simply because of the spelling errors and the occasional enjambment of sentences (which seemed unintentional) that made the meaning of the sentence incomprehensible.

This book is best suited for readers who enjoy a melancholic strain woven into poetry. The poet realistically captures the many struggles in the various stages of a man's life. I would say that most of the poems are quite thought-provoking and make the reader aware of the fleeting nature of time, whilst helping man find beauty in his short existence.

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Leviathan
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MsH2k · Post by **MsH2k** » 08 Mar 2020, 00:45

I am drawn to this book by your description of these poems. I have always loved imagining the Leviathan’s strength and majesty. I hope the author includes it one of his musings. I think I will check this out the next time I’m in the mood for a melancholic strain. Thanks for a lovely review!

Shabram22 · Post by **Shabram22** » 11 Mar 2020, 05:50

I'm not into poetry but you make this book sounds like it's a great read. Thanks for your review!

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 18 Mar 2020, 08:17

Normally, poetry would not be the genre that I would gravitate towards. However, your review makes me want to pick this book up and take a look. Great job!

Maria Esposito · Post by **Maria Esposito** » 24 Mar 2020, 12:00

This book sounds like it has a very vibrant imagery. I love that it includes characters from the Bible and from ancient myths. Great work on your review!