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The Prize: A Collection of Stories
Presents a collectoin of poems, including "A Lifetime," "Sometimes," and "The Prize"
- GenresPoetry
93 pages, Hardcover
First published July 28, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 16, 2009
When I picked this book up, I thought to myself "Am I ready to read poetry again?" I was afraid that...more When I picked this book up, I thought to myself "Am I ready to read poetry again?" I was afraid that it would tarnish my memories of poetry (books) that I somehow stumbled upon & ended up really enjoying.
I must confess, it has been quite a while since I've picked up a poetry book & it was mainly for fear of not enjoying it like I use to; but this book...well, it revitalized my love for poetry in such a short amount of time, I was almost overwhelmed (in a good way :) ).
I may be partially biased, since I grew up in California. A great amount of her memories are of living there. Even though the stories aren't about California, there are definite undertones of which I am unsure if someone that hasn't been or lived there would be able to enjoy as fully as someone that had.
Glancing at the pages before reading made it hard for me to believe that this book would be any good, but as most poetry comes to prove, reading it, REALLY reading it, changed my view on it entirely.
(partial spoiler below)
I actually cried (& it has been years since I've cried from something I've read) while reading the story entitled "Sometimes" when I thought that she was writing about her mother dying. I cried even harder when I realized it wasn't her mother that she was writing about, but herself. It hit me pretty hard.
So, I may also be biased since it is quite easy for me to relate to her stories. I'm wondering if it would have less impact on someone that may not be able to relate? Nonetheless, her stories are very much full of emotion and a great joy to read & I'm sure anyone can relate to her stories on some sort of level.
I'm so happy I came across this book after such a long hiatus from poetry. A short, easy read, & definitely recommended :)
I must confess, it has been quite a while since I've picked up a poetry book & it was mainly for fear of not enjoying it like I use to; but this book...well, it revitalized my love for poetry in such a short amount of time, I was almost overwhelmed (in a good way :) ).
I may be partially biased, since I grew up in California. A great amount of her memories are of living there. Even though the stories aren't about California, there are definite undertones of which I am unsure if someone that hasn't been or lived there would be able to enjoy as fully as someone that had.
Glancing at the pages before reading made it hard for me to believe that this book would be any good, but as most poetry comes to prove, reading it, REALLY reading it, changed my view on it entirely.
(partial spoiler below)
I actually cried (& it has been years since I've cried from something I've read) while reading the story entitled "Sometimes" when I thought that she was writing about her mother dying. I cried even harder when I realized it wasn't her mother that she was writing about, but herself. It hit me pretty hard.
So, I may also be biased since it is quite easy for me to relate to her stories. I'm wondering if it would have less impact on someone that may not be able to relate? Nonetheless, her stories are very much full of emotion and a great joy to read & I'm sure anyone can relate to her stories on some sort of level.
I'm so happy I came across this book after such a long hiatus from poetry. A short, easy read, & definitely recommended :)
March 17, 2018
One hundred percent heartwarming! This book is gorgeous.
May 4, 2018
Heart warming.
August 14, 2022
Wow. So simple and so beautifully stirring.
February 17, 2023
Beautiful but unsatisfying. It felt like it should have been part of a longer collection of poems.
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December 23, 2024impactful
April 1, 2025
Simple and sweet!
April 30, 2018
#38 A book with an ugly cover
First of all, ugliness and beauty are subjective. Second of all, I just wanted to get this book off of my "to-be-read" list.
I have to admit, I started this book thinking that it was going to be this lame poetry talking about love being a summer breeze or whatever, but I was pleasantly surprised. Her stories were easy to read, but had so much depth and meaning behind them. I really enjoyed reading them and I hope I can find more works by her in the future.
First of all, ugliness and beauty are subjective. Second of all, I just wanted to get this book off of my "to-be-read" list.
I have to admit, I started this book thinking that it was going to be this lame poetry talking about love being a summer breeze or whatever, but I was pleasantly surprised. Her stories were easy to read, but had so much depth and meaning behind them. I really enjoyed reading them and I hope I can find more works by her in the future.
June 29, 2015
Flavia has an amazing voice and even a short poetic story in her verse can make you break into tears or smile so hard your face hurts. This is a lovely, quick read, and it was a beautiful journey to take.
July 10, 2012
This book holds the answers- sometimes to questions you've yet to realize you have!
December 18, 2016
Five little (humongous in impact) stories to reach in and touch you deeply. They remind you to feel and love every bit of this life, to find the gifts and prizes in each encounter.
February 8, 2020
Very touching collection of poem/stories. I will read them often.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews