Beautiful Razor: Love Poems and Other Lies

by Al Hunter

In Beautiful Razor, Al Hunter explores the span between the sensual and the profane; the distance of which can sometimes be vast or on the razors edge. This much awaited collection is the third poetry book written by the former Rainy River First Nations Chief, along with Spirit Horses and The Recklessness of Love.

Genres: Poetry

42 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2012

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful Razor is the first poetry collection I have read from Al Hunter, but I hope it won't be the last. Although the collection is quite short, it is also quite powerful. Each poem seems to seep out grief with every word, and calls so many kinds of loss to mind. The often repetitive lines help to drive that loss and grief home, and leave phrases, words, thoughts lingering in the mind afterward.

I definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a good poetry collection to read. It is definitely worth the little time it takes to read. I definitely hope to read more from Al Hunter, although this is the only collection of his that my local library currently has.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Al Hunter takes us through his journey of love, loss, desire & yearning spanning many years, offering his personal observations through poetry that are eloquent, gritty, sensual, picturesque & wrenching. His writing compares to no other poetic honesty I've experienced.

I read through this book several times. It needs to be read slowly, words savored, images brought forth to truly appreciate his work. For those who've loved, pieces will resonate fractally, or if you're fragile, crash though & shatter your reality. It may sting & leave you gasping. His words cut, heal & reopen other wounds for new examination & healing.

Love humbles & can break a person. Hunter does not hide this brokenness. He opens it up further, embraces it & weaves his words to recreate a new reality that is functional yet haunted. I believe we can be broken & whole at the same time as surely as we can never truly know what is going through another person's mind. Al Hunter's writing reinforced my belief.

I had opportunity to hear him read & meet him briefly afterword. Here is a link to a cel phone filming of one of his poems, 'Goodbye To This Hurt Town' from Beautiful Razor: Love Poems & Other Lies. This was the only time he sang! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVgzvm...

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good volume of poetry by Canadian First Nations poet Al Hunter. I read it because we were expecting him to be a guest presenter at the Turtle Mountain Teen Art and Writing Workshop. He had an emergency and was unable to attend, however. I'm still glad I read his book, though. Thanks for the recommendation, Denise Lajimodiere.