Author: A.R. Arthur

REVIEW: FANTASY OF LOVING THE FANTASY BY JENNIFER FUNK (BULL CITY PRESS)

“Fantasy of Loving the Fantasy is a collection that warps the mind of the reader in the most magnificent of ways as the reader comes to terms with the fantasy of this 21 st century living, this world where men still exert immeasurable control.”-A.R. Arthur

REVIEW: CHOOSING TO BE SIMPLE: COLLECTED POEMS RED PINE BY TAO YUANMING (COPPER CANYON PRESS)

“I believe that Yuanming’s words speak to the complex psyche that exists within each and every one of us. This complexity of imagination is not time specific and only allows the reader to empathize further as this collection unfolds.”-A.R. Arthur

REVIEW: SOFT APOCALYPSE BY LEAH NIEBOER (UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA PRESS)

“Soft Apocalypse is a collection of poetry that challenges the desecration of individualized humanity and the rampant ruination of collective humanity throughout this planet.”-A.R. Arthur

REVIEW: SNAKEDOCTOR BY MAURICE MANNING (COPPER CANYON PRESS)

“Snakedoctor by Maurice Manning is a sonorous collection that makes use of varying styles and forms that intrigue the reader and tantalize one’s senses.”-A.R. Arthur

REVIEW: NOT QUITE AN OCEAN BY ELIZABETH M. CASTILLO (NINE PENS POETS)

    Not Quite an Ocean by Elizabeth M. Castillo is a collection of poetry that speaks for the divine feminine and to the vapid undercurrents that constantly threaten. Castillo makes great use of the ocean as a metaphor both to affirm the notion that undercurrents are always there just

REVIEW: WEST: A TRANSLATION BY PAISLEY REKDAL (COPPER CANYON PRESS)

“West: A Translation presents the reader with unknown parallels, lived experiences and harsh realities forced onto many during the era of the Chinese Exclusion Act. Rekdal challenges the acceptance of this oppression whilst criticizing the disposability presented by white American legislation and governmental ambition that can only be said to be dangerously propagated by capitalist demands and pressures.” – A.R. Arthur

REVIEW: OTHERLIGHT BY JILL MCELDOWNEY (YES YES BOOKS)

“Mceldowney makes the reader contend with the stark reality that we often ignore in favor of living freely without fear of that assured ending, that sudden shift into the unknown. For this alone Mceldowney should be commended.” – A.R. Arthur

REVIEW: THE THIRD RENUNCIATION BY MATTHEW E. HENRY (NYQ BOOKS)

“The Third Renunciation by Matthew E. Henry is a collection of sonnets that presents the theological in a way in which the reader is made to ruminate on their own faith and understanding of the divine, the religious and the unknown.” – A.R. Arthur