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Midlife Action Figure: Poems
Banks’s stunning new collection, exploring bold frontiers “Midlife Action Figure delivers surprise, delight, and sense.” – Quill & Quire, starred review “Poetry is an act of mischief,” Theodore Roethke famously once said, and Chris Banks takes this as his credo in Midlife Action Figure. His subject matter ranges from the familiar to the surreal, taking readers through poems that are both wondrous and strange, heartfelt and humorous, controlled and impatient. Whether calling a tree “an anthology of leaves” or describing time as “a Fisher-Price View-Master of ‘first kisses’ and ‘no return’ policies,” Banks approaches writing as if anything might make for alarming, strange, and dizzying verse. Banks knits together wit with wildly inventive imagery as he follows his poems outside convention where they play with stolen matches. Capable of both deep introspection and the quick turn of phrase, he places his tongue firmly in his cheek as he looks for a measure of human wonder in this intermission between TED Talks and the apocalypse. Midlife Action Figure is a tour de force for anyone looking for that rare book that is as exciting as it is provocative, showcasing both pathos and humor, while it explores what it means to be alive in the early 21st century.
- GenresPoetry
72 pages, Paperback
Published September 24, 2019
16 people want to read
About the author
Chris Banks
30 books5 followersChris Banks is a poet with a Masters degree in Creative Writing from Concordia University. He lives, writes, and teaches in Waterloo, Ontario.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 6, 2019
Shout out to ECW for providing an advance copy.
I don't read a lot of prose poetry. I often feel that the poems are very stream of consciousness and I have trouble relating with them or the poet. Ironically I seem to understand, and share similar thought patterns as a middle-aged man!
I thought parts 1 and 2 were the strongest, but perhaps the dilemma that the author has when considering his spiritual upbringing, with secular science and western politics simply resonates best for me. Parts 1 and 2 contain poems that deal with space travel and colonization that is foreshadowed by the cover illustration, this, my cynical-self is less concerned/interested in.
I particularly liked "Queue" which is a lot more existentialist then it sounds, touching on how much of our lives are spent waiting. This synopsis makes it sound a whole lot more obvious and cliche than it is.
"Interview" is a terrifying look at the corporate world that will resonate with anyone who also relates with comic character Dilbert.
"New World" was an interesting re-imagining of colonization set in the modern era. The delivery however, has me wondering what the author's intent was and his sentiments are in regards to the people's who have been persecuted in the name of colonization.
Banks if very frank about his mental health, "Midlife Action Figure" I feel addresses this most specifically but it is alluded to throughout.
Poems in part three deal more specifically with capitalism, and again if your life feels like Dilbert's these works are sure to bear elements with which you can empathize. "Common Myths" is a fun play on the 12 labours of Hercules, if Hercules had been just your average Joe.
All in all I greatly enjoyed the collection and I am decided to try more prose poetry.
I don't read a lot of prose poetry. I often feel that the poems are very stream of consciousness and I have trouble relating with them or the poet. Ironically I seem to understand, and share similar thought patterns as a middle-aged man!
I thought parts 1 and 2 were the strongest, but perhaps the dilemma that the author has when considering his spiritual upbringing, with secular science and western politics simply resonates best for me. Parts 1 and 2 contain poems that deal with space travel and colonization that is foreshadowed by the cover illustration, this, my cynical-self is less concerned/interested in.
I particularly liked "Queue" which is a lot more existentialist then it sounds, touching on how much of our lives are spent waiting. This synopsis makes it sound a whole lot more obvious and cliche than it is.
"Interview" is a terrifying look at the corporate world that will resonate with anyone who also relates with comic character Dilbert.
"New World" was an interesting re-imagining of colonization set in the modern era. The delivery however, has me wondering what the author's intent was and his sentiments are in regards to the people's who have been persecuted in the name of colonization.
Banks if very frank about his mental health, "Midlife Action Figure" I feel addresses this most specifically but it is alluded to throughout.
Poems in part three deal more specifically with capitalism, and again if your life feels like Dilbert's these works are sure to bear elements with which you can empathize. "Common Myths" is a fun play on the 12 labours of Hercules, if Hercules had been just your average Joe.
All in all I greatly enjoyed the collection and I am decided to try more prose poetry.
August 1, 2019
Thank you to ECW press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I've recently started branching out into the world of poetry, and was excited to get a copy of Midlife Action Figure by Chris Banks. I was even more excited when I learned that he lives and writes in Waterloo Region, where I currently live.
His writing is done in small snippets of prose poetry, which I haven't read since studying English in university. This collection brought me back to those days, in both good and bad ways. If I can relate to someone's stream of consciousness, I love it, but if I'm unable to find a connection, I become lost. There were a lot of single lines that stood out to me, and I found many gems among these short poems.
Quite a few pieces in this collection were a bit too existential for me, although I did enjoy the raw emotion that showed. I bounced back and forth between thinking "yes, I feel this way sometimes too" to "I have no idea what the writer is talking about here." Even though I was confused at times, I enjoyed being able to glance at the writer's thoughts and opinions, which showed many different experiences and outlooks than I have had.
Midlife Action Figure is a powerful collection that will evoke many thoughts. If you're a fan of prose poetry, be sure to check it out.
I've recently started branching out into the world of poetry, and was excited to get a copy of Midlife Action Figure by Chris Banks. I was even more excited when I learned that he lives and writes in Waterloo Region, where I currently live.
His writing is done in small snippets of prose poetry, which I haven't read since studying English in university. This collection brought me back to those days, in both good and bad ways. If I can relate to someone's stream of consciousness, I love it, but if I'm unable to find a connection, I become lost. There were a lot of single lines that stood out to me, and I found many gems among these short poems.
Quite a few pieces in this collection were a bit too existential for me, although I did enjoy the raw emotion that showed. I bounced back and forth between thinking "yes, I feel this way sometimes too" to "I have no idea what the writer is talking about here." Even though I was confused at times, I enjoyed being able to glance at the writer's thoughts and opinions, which showed many different experiences and outlooks than I have had.
Midlife Action Figure is a powerful collection that will evoke many thoughts. If you're a fan of prose poetry, be sure to check it out.
August 21, 2019
Chris Banks writes in Midlife Action Figure, "Poetry geocaches beauty and leaves a trail of words to follow." While reading an advance review copy of this satisfying collection of verse, I was struck by this particular image as I found myself following the poet's trail into a strange new world of introspection, imagination, humor, and inspiration. Each poem in this volume inspired me in one way or another: some impressed me with a stream of consciousness recitation, bouncing from one (seemingly) unrelated thought to another. Then I'd pause and reflect for a moment to discover a surprising connectedness of theme that had not been immediately apparent. Others reminded me of the briefest and most succinct of short stories and were amusing and heartbreaking in equal measure. Some simply reminded me of the joy of language and the possibility of reading words that move the heart and mind in ways we simply cannot understand, nor communicate clearly to others.
On a technical note, my electronic advance review copy may not have been formatted properly in terms of enjambment or line breaks, lending each poem a rather uniform sameness on the page, as in large block paragraphs following bolded titles. The majority of my own personal poetry consumption involves the use of physical books with original formatting, and I am somewhat spoiled by that. Perhaps official later editions of this work will reflect that, and the reader's experience will vary.
I recommend this book and am looking forward to exploring the poet's back catalog, now that I am aware of his distinctive voice.
On a technical note, my electronic advance review copy may not have been formatted properly in terms of enjambment or line breaks, lending each poem a rather uniform sameness on the page, as in large block paragraphs following bolded titles. The majority of my own personal poetry consumption involves the use of physical books with original formatting, and I am somewhat spoiled by that. Perhaps official later editions of this work will reflect that, and the reader's experience will vary.
I recommend this book and am looking forward to exploring the poet's back catalog, now that I am aware of his distinctive voice.
July 26, 2019
Midlife Action Figure
Chris Banks
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
ECW Press (Misfit Books)
Midlife Action Figure is Chris Banks fifth poetry collection. Whether defined as prose poetry or “stream of consciousness” free-flowing thought, Banks lambasts readers with tongue-in-cheek humour, off-the-wall truisms, what is and what was, and negotiating the 21st century.
It’s easy to get lost, become dizzied in the whirl, miss the unique imagery of description, the impeccable word choice, the wordplay—Dark hymns of rain. A museum of failures. How many joules does it take to say I’m sorry? And in the end, Banks puts an entirely different slant on the reality and inanity of day to day living.
Chris Banks
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
ECW Press (Misfit Books)
Midlife Action Figure is Chris Banks fifth poetry collection. Whether defined as prose poetry or “stream of consciousness” free-flowing thought, Banks lambasts readers with tongue-in-cheek humour, off-the-wall truisms, what is and what was, and negotiating the 21st century.
It’s easy to get lost, become dizzied in the whirl, miss the unique imagery of description, the impeccable word choice, the wordplay—Dark hymns of rain. A museum of failures. How many joules does it take to say I’m sorry? And in the end, Banks puts an entirely different slant on the reality and inanity of day to day living.
August 1, 2020
Hopping From Stone to Stone Across the Creek
I enjoyed this immensely. Draw a straight line from postmodern Donald Barthelme, through Padgett Powell and books like his "The Interrogative Mood: A Novel?", and you'll end up here.
Each line is it's own creation. You just hop from line to line, from stone to stone, choosing which ones look best. Look for hidden paths among the stones.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
I enjoyed this immensely. Draw a straight line from postmodern Donald Barthelme, through Padgett Powell and books like his "The Interrogative Mood: A Novel?", and you'll end up here.
Each line is it's own creation. You just hop from line to line, from stone to stone, choosing which ones look best. Look for hidden paths among the stones.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
September 23, 2019
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Midlife Action Figure is Bank's fifth collection. Written in prose poetry style and presented in three parts. The first two parts resonated with me the most but I found the whole collection quite interesting, his writing is very exploratory. I appreciated his dark humour and play on words. Banks writes with a lot of perception with some pieces dealing with darker subjects than others. And this cover is fantastic! It really ties in with these poems.
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Thank You to the publisher for #gifting me this book opinions are my own.
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Midlife Action Figure is Bank's fifth collection. Written in prose poetry style and presented in three parts. The first two parts resonated with me the most but I found the whole collection quite interesting, his writing is very exploratory. I appreciated his dark humour and play on words. Banks writes with a lot of perception with some pieces dealing with darker subjects than others. And this cover is fantastic! It really ties in with these poems.
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Thank You to the publisher for #gifting me this book opinions are my own.
August 15, 2019
Chris Banks shows a play with words that I found very appealing in these verses. I looked forward to the next poem as I finished each one. Lovely creative collection.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews