Review of Second Coming

[João Ramos]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Second Coming" by Lobibah Oji Baraka.]

---

3 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Second Coming by Lobibah Oji Baraka invites readers into a tapestry of poetry that explores themes of self, arts, death, society, and love. Baraka crafts a journey through socio-political and nostalgic landscapes with intellectual depth and vibrant energy. Each section of the book begins with an African proverb, adding cultural resonance and wisdom to the collection. Baraka's work is known for its complexity and evocative power, with poems that are both thought-provoking and accessible. His narrative flair and language create a dynamic and engaging reading experience, especially for minorities. The poetry in the book blends free verse with reflective prose, offering a genuine and intriguing exploration of the human condition. Whether delving into personal identity or broader societal issues, the author's voice remains authentic and relatable, drawing readers into a world of profound insight and emotional depth.

What I liked most about the book was the social criticism in some of the poems. The author uses simple, street-level language in many poems to make them accessible to the groups he wants to reach. He uses this approach without neglecting to make an intelligent and powerful critique of some social inequalities in the United States. The author addresses issues such as police brutality, gun violence, racism, and economic disparity, among many other topics.

While most poems are outstanding, I found some with a negative message. For example, in one poem, the author describes how he would torture Dylann Roof if he saw him before the police. There are also some poems with misogynistic undertones where the author talks about past relationships where women were selfish and only interested in material possessions. There is even a poem with a somewhat homophobic undertone that suggests that "gay activism" has gone too far. I would say that Baraka should eliminate about 20% of the poems because they are in poor taste and go against the author's message.

I couldn't finish reading this book without feeling a certain amount of disappointment. I love reading poetry that addresses social issues. However, some poems left something to be desired and had a prejudiced tone that hindered my appreciation of the work. Since the problems in the paragraph above are numerous, I decided to deduct 2 points from the final score. Therefore, I rate it 3 out of 5 stars. The book's editing is decent, and I considered it intentional poetic license when the author used expressions like "nuff" and "brutha." Therefore, I did not find any objective grammatical errors.

Readers who enjoy poetry that contains social criticism will probably enjoy this work (if they overlook the problematic poems mentioned above). However, the book contains an excessive number of profane words. To give a practical example, the word "sh*t" appears 36 times. There are also some sexual references, so I would not recommend this work to anyone under the age of 18.

******
Second Coming
View: on Bookshelves

[Elsa Davis]

The book titled "Second Coming" by Lobibah Oji Baraka is a thought-provoking poetry collection that addresses themes of identity and social justice. While the use of African proverbs adds cultural depth, some poems contain controversial and problematic content that may impact the overall reading experience. I recommend "Second Coming" by Lobibah Oji Baraka to readers who appreciate poetry with strong social commentary and are comfortable with mature themes. It’s particularly suited for those interested in exploring complex societal issues such as racism, inequality, and personal identity through a poetic lens.

[Mercy Ndungu 9]

It sounds like Second Coming by Lobibah Oji Baraka is a compelling poetry collection that delves into themes of self, society, and love, while also offering sharp social critiques. The reviewer appreciates the use of African proverbs that add cultural depth to the collection, and they found Baraka's exploration of topics like police brutality, gun violence, and racism to be powerful.

[Nevo Ifeanyi]

Nice and wonderful review. I will get the book and read the poems by " Second Coming by Lobibah Oji Baraka"