Scatterlings

by Zeena Nackerdien

Scatterlings are people uprooted from their origins and placed in circumstances unfamiliar to them. Here, Zeena draws upon fragmentary observations about life and different cultures, as well as philosophical asides to write about immigration, starting over again in an adopted country and relationships. Subtle portraits and symbolism in each poem leave one appreciating the ties that bind us and the uncertainties of life.

72 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2015

About the author

Zeena Nackerdien obtained a Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. Zeena has been a research chemist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Maryland and a senior research associate at The Rockefeller University in New York. She is the author of several publications in scientific journals and has also written many books in different genres. As a scientist turned patient advocate and writer, she is intensely interested in building relationships with people from different cultures through story-telling and education. Zeena currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Reviews

[Utk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scatterlings is an interesting book where small stories and poetry melt together. The author has the ability to put words on the complex things and make it a bit more tangible, which shows throughtout the book in general and in the 'family chapter' in particular. Both the subjects and the perspectives in the book are relevant and important, and combined with a great language it makes me want to read more things written by Nackerdien (and read Scatterlings once more).

The poems who speeks most to me are ”A Small Business”, ”A Forgotten Ideal” and ”Bitcoins”. ”Two Moms” is one of the most beautiful poems I've read, and I really like how lesbianism is written about in a positive way. I also love the sentence: ”forgiveness is reserved for one who cares” from the poem Happy Mother's Day.

Overall: Scatterlings is very thoughtful and I think it's a great book!