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The Cruelty of a Door
What fabled light are you chasing?
The Cruelty of a Door is a collection of poems that dares you to ask what it is you’re really longing for, to exchange your breathless pursuit for a lullaby of contentment, and to rest in the hope that sunrise is coming. For it always does.
The Cruelty of a Door is a collection of poems that dares you to ask what it is you’re really longing for, to exchange your breathless pursuit for a lullaby of contentment, and to rest in the hope that sunrise is coming. For it always does.
- GenresPoetry
100 pages, Paperback
Published March 4, 2025
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 3, 2025
This was my first time reading one of R.C. Lloyd's collections, although i've had the opportunity to read several individual poems of hers before. Reading any poetry by R.C. Lloyd is a visceral sensory experience, but her greatest strength lies in her ability to capture the breadth of enormous stories in the breath it takes to read a page.
Her voice is strong, her wordplay is impeccable, and even if we arrive at different conclusions at the end of a piece, I'm always captivated by the way she draws her journey.
I was gifted an ARC of this book by the author, and am leaving this review of my own volition!
Her voice is strong, her wordplay is impeccable, and even if we arrive at different conclusions at the end of a piece, I'm always captivated by the way she draws her journey.
I was gifted an ARC of this book by the author, and am leaving this review of my own volition!
January 16, 2025
So excited to share this one with you all!
January 30, 2025
A great collection of poetry! Really captures the struggles of being alone or not at certain milestones in life. The journey through the poems ebbs and flows perfectly. There is also a sprinkle of Scripture verses that set up parts quite well.
January 20, 2025
Thank you R.C. Lloyd for sending me an e-ARC copy to read "The Cruelty of a Door." I really enjoy reading new work from authors I haven't read before!
This poetry collection has some religious themes (not all of them, I think, just some), which is totally fine! Personally, I'm not religious but I can appreciate the imagery and themes. If you do like religious themes, you will likely enjoy this poetry collection.
Lloyd does a great job at crafting descriptive poetry that entices your senses. I could visually see these poems in my mind. The poems I liked the most: "A warning," "And Have You Yet Considered," "The locked ballroom," and "I'd Draw You A Map (Extended)".
I think my favorite poem from the entire collection is "Chasing shadows." This poem really resonated with me and reminds me of some of my own work. It was hauntingly beautiful. A question that lingers and is a part of my fiber. Really loved this poem and will go back to it again.
This poetry collection has some religious themes (not all of them, I think, just some), which is totally fine! Personally, I'm not religious but I can appreciate the imagery and themes. If you do like religious themes, you will likely enjoy this poetry collection.
Lloyd does a great job at crafting descriptive poetry that entices your senses. I could visually see these poems in my mind. The poems I liked the most: "A warning," "And Have You Yet Considered," "The locked ballroom," and "I'd Draw You A Map (Extended)".
I think my favorite poem from the entire collection is "Chasing shadows." This poem really resonated with me and reminds me of some of my own work. It was hauntingly beautiful. A question that lingers and is a part of my fiber. Really loved this poem and will go back to it again.
January 24, 2025
"Why must missing someone feel like claustrophobia?"
The Cruelty of a Door is one of those collections that you can envision as reading material in colleges one day. From artful prose to deep contemplation and lines that made my jaw drop with their impact and simplicity, R.C. Lloyd weaves an incredible portrait of faith in waiting, longing, and the search for contentment in a restless world.
The Cruelty of a Door is one of those collections that you can envision as reading material in colleges one day. From artful prose to deep contemplation and lines that made my jaw drop with their impact and simplicity, R.C. Lloyd weaves an incredible portrait of faith in waiting, longing, and the search for contentment in a restless world.
March 15, 2025
I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of this book. Below is my review.
The Cruelty of a Door is a book about longing, wishing to be somewhere that you are not. It’s a book that sits with the tensions of the not-yet and the hoped-to-be, reminding the readers to look back on the has-beens and realize that growth is still growth, and tomorrow will come.
Like all of R. C. Lloyd’s work, it has the simultaneous effect of comforting and motivating, to allow the reader to rest in the place where they are, but to kindle hope to take the next step. If you're someone who feels stuck, but is longing for more, I cannot recommend this book enough.
This is the second installment from R.C. Lloyd. Through Lloyd’s first book, Chronic Defiance, I felt like I was learning more about her - a personal invitation to hear thoughts that hadn’t been shared before. In The Cruelty of a Door, I found I was learning about myself. The emotions expressed were ones that I said, "Me, too."
So, there’s grace in the door that R. C. Lloyd has opened with this book. The space within the pages is one where the readers will be able to see not just her, but recognize themselves, with all their flaws, hopes and dreams. I cannot wait to add this book to my bookshelf.
The Cruelty of a Door is a book about longing, wishing to be somewhere that you are not. It’s a book that sits with the tensions of the not-yet and the hoped-to-be, reminding the readers to look back on the has-beens and realize that growth is still growth, and tomorrow will come.
Like all of R. C. Lloyd’s work, it has the simultaneous effect of comforting and motivating, to allow the reader to rest in the place where they are, but to kindle hope to take the next step. If you're someone who feels stuck, but is longing for more, I cannot recommend this book enough.
This is the second installment from R.C. Lloyd. Through Lloyd’s first book, Chronic Defiance, I felt like I was learning more about her - a personal invitation to hear thoughts that hadn’t been shared before. In The Cruelty of a Door, I found I was learning about myself. The emotions expressed were ones that I said, "Me, too."
So, there’s grace in the door that R. C. Lloyd has opened with this book. The space within the pages is one where the readers will be able to see not just her, but recognize themselves, with all their flaws, hopes and dreams. I cannot wait to add this book to my bookshelf.
August 3, 2025
I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to endorse this gorgeous collection of poetry. You're not going to want to miss it when it releases.
Here's my endorsement:
'Come with Lloyd as she explores the space between the beginning and the end. She dissects want, tries a few doors, opens her heart, and ultimately settles into the unknowing nature of life.'
Here's my endorsement:
'Come with Lloyd as she explores the space between the beginning and the end. She dissects want, tries a few doors, opens her heart, and ultimately settles into the unknowing nature of life.'
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews