Tag: Poetry

Review: Steel Slides and Yellow Walls by Alicia Swain

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Synopsis:

In Steel Slides and Yellow Walls, Alicia Swain navigates the labyrinthine journey women undergo to form their identities. Through a feminist lens and distinctive voice, her collection veraciously portrays the trials that forge women into sagacious, resilient adults. From contemplation of how to balance mental health despite knowing what tribulations are sure to come, to the title poem’s exploration of how traumatic memories can continue to haunt in the most unexpected situations, Swain offers a look at the diverse experiences that mold women into the tenacious beings they are.

Favorite Lines:

As I do with all my short story and poetry collection reviews, rather than sharing favorite quotes, I am sharing a couple of my favorite poems from the collection: Melancholy Sea and Progress.

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Swain’s debut poetry collection is arranged in four movements—ASK, EXPERIENCE, RECOVER, and GROW. The early poems interrogate everything we’re taught to revere (church, family, small-town courtesy), and the questions don’t land politely; they leave scorch marks. By the time we reach “Recover,” you can feel the speaker’s lungs straining for air, every line break a gasp.

What hooked me first was the mash-up of bodily grit and lit-class reference. One minute we’re in a fluorescent corridor counting bruises, the next we’re weighing “fire and brimstone” against the smell of burning pages . That collision—philosophy crashing into living tissue—makes the anger ring out. Yet there’s tenderness too, tucked between the ribs: Swain lets small moments of care flicker in, just long enough to keep the reader breathing.

Structurally, the poems feel like they were written on a tightrope. White space widens whenever the emotion tips toward overwhelm, then contracts to a single punch-in-the-gut sentence. Repeated images—yellow paint, steel playground equipment, water—stitch the book together, so even the looser, more experimental pieces never drift far from the central pulse. It’s a risky balance of accessibility and formal play, but it pays off.

Readers who appreciate lyric experimentation will find plenty to admire, while those new to contemporary poetry will still be carried along by the clarity of the speaker’s emotion.

Summary:

Unflinching yet ultimately restorative, Swain’s debut is for readers who crave poetry that stares down cruelty and answers with hard-earned self-authority. If you value collections that marry bold feminist critique with lyrical grace, Steel Slides and Yellow Walls deserves a place on your shelf. Happy reading!

Check out Steel Slides and Yellow Walls here!

 

Review: All the Silent Bones by Gregory Funaro

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Synopsis:

When they were boys, Ray Dawley, Eddie Sayers, and Matthew Kauffman were the best of friends. Then new kid Bobby “Bones” Bonetti fell through the ice at Blackamore Pond. The other boys saved Bobby from drowning, but something else came out of the water that day, something dangerous that would tear their friendship apart and set one of them on a dark path.

Forty years after the incident on the ice, Ray, a retired college professor, has moved back into his childhood home. Eddie is a retired homicide detective, and Matthew is a successful investment banker. Bobby, who is on disability from his job as a corrections officer at a juvenile detention center, has a secret: the darkness that found him under the ice when he was a kid has made him do terrible things.

Following a reunion at Ray’s house, Matthew is found murdered in his car beside the old pond. The killer includes a chilling message that only the three remaining friends would recognize. Could one of their own be a murderer?

All the Silent Bones, a tense and disturbing thriller told from alternating perspectives of morally complex characters, explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma and its influence on adult relationships.

Favorite Lines:

“You make plans, you prepare for war, you work hard to ensure your kid stays far away from the front lines so that when you see the enemy on the horizon, you’re ready to hit them back with everything you have without collateral damage. But it was also important to make time to play, to get lost in it with abandon—like a child on a snow day. All the worries buried far beneath the pristine white.”

““I always loved you. Even when I didn’t know how.”

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Gregory Funaro’s All the Silent Bones is a chilling, atmospheric thriller that balances psychological horror with literary nuance. Set in Rhode Island and steeped in childhood trauma, abuse, and dissociation, the novel follows Ray Dawley and David Ruggieri as they struggle with the legacies of their pasts and the spectral presence of “Bones”—a dark alter ego that may be more than just a psychological construct.

At its core, All the Silent Bones is a story about memory, trauma, and the brutal ghosts of childhood. The narrative explores the complicated psychological effects of abuse through the lens of dissociative identity disorder, giving shape to an internal world where elves, shadows, and monsters are metaphors for brokenness—and sometimes frighteningly real.

Funaro’s prose is both sharp and lyrical. The characters—particularly Dave/Bones—are unforgettable in their complexity. Bones, the snarling, darkly comedic, and tragically constructed alter ego, becomes the emotional center of the book, embodying both horror and heartbreak. Dr. Natalia Morris, the therapist unraveling Dave’s fractured psyche, serves as a grounded counterbalance to the surreal and disturbing revelations that emerge.

The book isn’t for the faint of heart. It does not flinch from describing graphic abuse, dissociation, and the descent into mental illness, but does so with care, intent, and a deep understanding of its psychological subject matter. There’s a sense of dread throughout that builds slowly and lands with real emotional weight. The themes are heavy, but handled with deftness and honesty.

Funaro’s ability to blend horror and heartbreak is what elevates this book. While the elves and alternate personalities add a supernatural edge, the real terror comes from the raw portrayal of pain, abandonment, and the desperate need to be loved.

Summary:

Overall, a dark and devastating psychological thriller, Gregory Funaro’s All the Silent Bones is a brutal but beautifully told story about the lingering damage of childhood abuse and the fragile hope of healing. It’s an unflinching exploration of trauma and identity, laced with eerie symbolism and grounded by authentic human emotion. Highly recommended for fans of psychological horror, literary thrillers, and trauma-informed storytelling. Happy reading!

Check out All the Silent Bones here!

 

Review: Astronaut by Ali Rizvi

~ likelystory18 ~ 2 Comments

Synopsis:

I dealt with mental health at many turning points in life and learned to mask my real-self at an early age but world wasn’t gentle enough for me to be accepted. I finally sought professional help and started treatment for Depression & some of its companions a few years ago. It has helped me to understand myself better, but not the cruel world.

The year 2024 made a mark in my journey with many surprises, and I decided to write again after many years.

This is a collection of poems from my recent & enduring pilgrimage to Depression & some other places.

Favorite Lines:

As always with poem collections, here are a few that I enjoyed the most:  Fate, Closer, and Autumn.

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ali Rizvi’s Astronaut is a poignant collection of poems that delves into the raw and deeply personal experience of navigating depression and the often unkind world around us. Written after years of silence, this work is a powerful testament to the resilience of a soul grappling with mental health challenges and seeking understanding in a world that can feel isolating.

Rizvi’s poetry doesn’t shy away from confronting the complex and often dark realities of depression. Instead, it embraces vulnerability and turns it into art, offering readers a glimpse into the mind of someone battling their inner demons. The simplicity of the language used in the poems makes the emotions feel genuine and accessible, resonating deeply with anyone who has struggled with mental health or sought solace in their own creative expression.

For those who may not have personally experienced depression, Astronaut serves as an insightful exploration of the mindset of someone navigating mental health struggles. Rizvi’s willingness to lay bare his thoughts and emotions allows readers to develop empathy and a better understanding of the challenges faced by individuals dealing with depression and related disorders.

What stands out about Astronaut is its relatability. Rizvi’s words carry an authenticity that makes readers feel understood, as if he’s articulating emotions they’ve felt but couldn’t quite express themselves. The themes of alienation, self-discovery, and resilience are universal, making this book not just a collection of poems but a shared experience.

Summary:

Overall, Astronaut is not just a book of poems—it’s an emotional journey that invites readers to walk alongside Rizvi as he shares his battles and triumphs. Whether you’re seeking comfort in knowing you’re not alone in your struggles or looking to better understand the experiences of those who live with depression and/or other mental health disorders, this book is a compelling and heartfelt read.

Check out Astronaut here!

 

Review: Behind the Ghost Metropolis by Annette Dabrowska

~ likelystory18 ~ Leave a comment

Synopsis:

Fans of Sylvia Plath, “The Flower That Went Mad” and Charles Bukowski will find pieces of themselves in this edgy debut poetry collection.

I look right through the light
it fills me with courage and strength
to fight against my demons
I’m not alone anymore
I slowly stand up

Behind the Ghost Metropolis dives into the shadows of the mind—mental health, trauma, loneliness—but it also finds light in hope, travel, and resilience. Written during Annette’s manic and depressive episodes, these poems are raw and deeply personal, reflecting her struggle with bipolar disorder and her fight to rise above the odds.

She wrote these poems to break the stigma around mental illness and to remind anyone feeling lost or defeated that there is always hope. This book is for those who’ve been knocked down, dragged through darkness, and still seek their own hidden light.

When writing, Annette draws inspiration from some of the greatest poetic minds in American and Polish contemporary poetry – Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Beatniks, Charles Bukowski, Edward Stachura, and Rafał Wojaczek.

Just like her favorite poets, she often finds herself in different dimensions of cruel whispers, far from the dreamland. But that’s the price she pays for her creations, and she keeps writing because of this artistic force inside her heart and mind.

Favorite Lines:

As I do with all short story and poetry collections, rather than picking out specific lines, I would like to highlight a few of the poems that resonated the most with me:  Youth, Wild Horses, Illusion, 43. ***, 45. ***

My Opinion:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange from my honest opinion.

I would like to put a trigger warning as this collection does deal with complex subject matters such as mental health and trauma and may not be suitable for everyone.

I have always been a big fan of poetry but it is not often that I get a request to review a collection on Likely Story so I knew I had to jump at the chance especially when reading that Dabrowska draws inspiration from many poets including Charles Bukowski; who I adore.

Annette Dabrowska’s debut poetry collection, Behind the Ghost Metropolis, is an evocative exploration of the human condition that dives deeply into themes of mental health, trauma, resilience, and hope. This raw and intimate collection balances a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of darkness with moments of light and healing, creating a vivid emotional journey that resonates on a deeply personal level.

Dabrowska’s prose is striking in its simplicity and power. With language that is both unflinching and tender, she captures the turmoil of inner battles and the fragile yet indomitable strength of the human spirit. Each poem feels like a window into the poet’s soul, offering readers a sense of shared experience and connection. Her ability to weave universal emotions into such personal reflections is what makes this collection truly remarkable.

The book is a masterclass in balancing vulnerability with empowerment. Poems reflecting on loss, despair, and loneliness are interwoven with moments of courage, self-discovery, and the search for freedom. Dabrowska’s imagery strikes a chord that lingers long after the final page.

One of the collection’s greatest strengths is its accessibility. Dabrowska doesn’t rely on ornate language or obscure references to convey her emotions. Instead, she uses plain yet poignant language that cuts straight to the heart, making these poems feel like personal confessions shared in trust. This openness invites readers to find pieces of themselves within the lines, creating a deeply immersive experience.

The shorter poems in particular stand out, delivering bursts of raw emotion that are both intense and immediate. At the same time, the collection’s longer pieces delve into the complexities of human resilience, showing that even in moments of despair, there is always a glimmer of hope to be found.

Behind the Ghost Metropolis is a testament to the power of poetry to heal, connect, and inspire. It’s a collection that reminds us that we are never truly alone, even in our darkest moments, and that strength can be found in embracing vulnerability. Whether you’re a seasoned poetry lover or new to the genre, this collection offers a deeply moving and unforgettable experience.

Summary:

Overall, I would highly recommend this collection of poems for anyone seeking a raw and relatable exploration of the human spirit. Dabrowska’s voice is a powerful addition to contemporary poetry, and her debut is sure to leave a lasting impact.

Check out Beyond the Ghost Metropolis here!