Official Review: Of Illusions and Ink Spills

[Mercelle]

For anyone who wants to get lost in poetry, this would be a great place to start. I always adore a good collection and I won't hesitate to check this one out.

[CrescentMoon]

This definitely sounds like an interesting collection of poems that really do make you think and relate to them. Great and thorough review!

[Dawn_Sooy]

Unfortunately, the preview Amazon afforded me was only the index. However, poetry is something I rarely read. I wish good luck to this author and am glad I was able to read the official review.

[KFree_Reads]

Nice review! I really love poetry so this book is right up my alley! Thanks for your review.

[Miss_BeckyG]

Great review! I am not the greatest fan of poetry but I may give this collection a try. I like your description.."a collection that make you think about everyday life."

[Dolor]

Poems dealing with monotonous daily routines, fitting in with the world and with your peer group, questioning society’s rules, questioning faith, reinventing one’s self, and familial relationships were all relatively easy to decipher.

I'm not so into freestyle poetry. If ever I read a few, I want those full of positivity and good vibes. Based on the themes of this book that I quoted above from your review, it's more of rants. I'll bypass reading this book. Thanks to your detailed review.

[Crashtara]

Thank you for such a great review. I'm not sure I would be quick to pickup on Hirani's tone without your insight. I agree, a table of contents is helpful.

[Mary Garrison]

Thanks for the great review, it seemed like you enjoyed the poetry.

[CaitlinGonya]

I'm not a big fan of poems. If there is also the possibility that I will have no idea what they wrote, then it's really not for me.

[britt13]

Free form poetry is great but I like to listen to it not read it. Sounds like this is a pretty good collection but this will not be for me.

[EllieA]

Thank you for the review! I like it when an author's voice really comes through in their poetry, as you indicate Divya Hirani's did here. I think that tackling everyday material is harder in poetry form than essay form, so kudos to the author for that! This book looks like something I might like to read.

[Kalin Adi]

I haven't read much poetry lately. But since these poems are not unraveled at first sight but are more like a challenge, they pique my interest. I agree with you this is definitely a positive aspect. Also, the themes chosen by the author in this collection of poems are up to date. Thanks for this decipherable review!

[rave_2]

Wow! That title sounds so cool!
I read poetry almost every week at school, so I could imagine that this book would be just as exciting to read like what I've been reading before.
Great review!

[VIValentine2018]

I am in agreement (for the most part) with the Official Review of the collection of sixty-four poems, "Of Illusions and Ink Spills" by Divya Hirani. For instance, I totally enjoyed the collection of poems described as free-versed poetry, and delightfully portraying a plethora of the author's life experiences. Admittedly, the author employed a few choice wordings that created a bit of a challenge in deciphering the meaning and context intended; however, to my mind, they were so few as to not distract from, and lessen the overall comprehension and enjoyment of the collection.

I agree also with the reviewer's observation of the clarity as well as the current and relevant themes that the author conveyed to the reader. However, I respectfully beg to disagree with the reviewer's observation of the absence of a Table of Contents, which, in fact, there is (one), and is to be found immediately following the the author's introduction.

There are a of couple mis-spelt words that were apparently overlooked by the reviewer, namely: (1) the poem titled "INFOBESITY", page 19, the line beginning: The mind blows, At it pours through; Every crevice and hole,..."At" should be "As" and, (2) In the same poem, the next line beginning: The superhighway we'r on...the contraction of the words "we are" should be written as "we're" and not "we'r"

Given the use of some indecipherable words as well as the afore-mentioned mis-spelt words, I do agree with the reviewer's rating of 3 out of 4 stars.

[kr0p0tk1n]

The review for this collection definitely made me want to read more. I'm intrigued by the free verse style, and from the review it seems like there is a great deal to sink your teeth in to from a literary standpoint. The reviewers notes on the difficulty of understanding some sections of the poem made me want to pick the book up and see if I could parse any meaning from them, but I'm not sure I'd be able to!
However, free verse is definitely a style that appeals to me, and the self described immigrant perspective of the novel is another point of interest. Definitely want to pick this up if I can!