The Boxer of Quirinal

by John Barr

All animals struggle to survive. In John Barr's poems the success of the heron hunting, the albatross breeding, the inchworm spinning give proof of life. But for us that struggle includes the eternal presence of war. Does the fall of Rome, the Battle of Shiloh, the Normandy Landings––and today's wars—give proof of life or only of the struggle?

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2023

Reviews

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book of poetry. While the pictures and cover were pretty and the paper was of good quality this is one you may want to get on kindle as this is a very short read. The first 16 pages are the index and cover pages and the first poem starts on page 17. There were a couple of poems I really liked a lot. There were several I didn’t get anything from and a few I liked ok. I think my favorite was the series of poems called The South China Sea. The imagery tied with story telling was great. Overall I think I liked when the author was telling a clear story. I hadn’t heard of this author before, but I’m glad to have gotten a copy of this book as I did enjoy it. Overall 3.5 stars.

[Mae | MaeflowerReads ❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down

Review to come

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

My whole attraction to this book was the fact that it related the survival of animals to the survival of humans but only a very small portion of poems were focused on the survival of the animals. The rest of the book included poems of various subjects divided into three different sections - Proof of Life, the Boxer of Quirinal and the Immortality Sweepstakes.

There were a few entries that were written in poem format although nothing with much rhyme or rhythm. Furthermore a few entries could have been much better off if they had been written in an essay format while there were a few that really did seem as such.

At the same time there are some poems that are dedicated to individuals, others that start off with some information that pertains to the poem and quotes that were included from other sources. Then as if that wasn't enough there is a Notes section that provides the reader with even more background information about particular poems for those who are curious and want to learn more about the events that are implied by the work.

To me, though, there is a bit of a common thread to some of the poems, which was easily picked up, but there just wasn't too much to excite me enough to want to share this book with anyone else. Clearly and unfortunately I wasn't the intended audience for this book.

**Please note I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review**

[Taylor Rebmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I just finished "The Boxer of Quirinal" by John Barr, and let me tell you, it's a real knockout! 🥊 This book dives deep into the world of ancient Rome, following the journey of a young boxer named Lucius as he navigates the gritty streets and brutal arenas of the city. Barr's storytelling had me hooked from the get-go, with vivid descriptions that transported me right into the heart of ancient Rome. Plus, the characters felt so real, like I was right there cheering Lucius on during his matches. And let's talk about the action—there's plenty of it! From intense training sessions to pulse-pounding fights in the arena, every chapter had me on the edge of my seat. But it's not all about the fighting; there's also a lot of heart in this book. Lucius's journey is about more than just winning matches—it's about discovering who he truly is and what he's willing to fight for. So if you're into historical fiction with a punch (pun intended), "The Boxer of Quirinal" is definitely worth a read!

[Reagan Formea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers for a free copy.
This book felt very muddled to me. I really dislike when a book tries to be too smart and is so wordy and using all of these references to get across a point that is just not all that important.
I understand what the theme was supposed to be throughout the book but it seemed to get lost for me. I also was really concerned about the story of Chinese colonization being based on Japanese colonization as those are obviously two very different places…

[Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read much poetry but I liked these poems quite a bit. I kept reading poem after poem. Double reading each poem. I'm sure I will continue to reread this book.

[Doris Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read. Perhaps not seen by other readers, but all seem to be interlaced. So I can go back if other responsibilities draw me away.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am by no means knowledgeable about poetry, just a guy who likes to read alot in a wide variety of genres. This book was divided into three sections and I read one section per day. I found myself looking forward each day to reading the next section and so four stars.
Some of my favorites were Eight Minures Out (pg.8), The Governing Reality (pg. 25), Black Powder (pg. 29), Promethean (pg. 31), In a Taverna (pg. 33), Chicago Tell Me Who You Are (pg. 34), The Boxer of Quirinal (pg. 41), The South China Sea (pg. 49), Water's Way (pg. 74). My absolute favorite, the one I want on my tombstone, is The Library at Innerpeffray (pg.28).
Thanks to the author and GR for the free copy!