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Rituals
In the search for truth, for meaning, for purpose, Black's poetry illuminates the wonder in all of us. With petrifying portrayals of mental institutions, doctors, nurses, Egyptian mythos, all intertwined in a mixture of natural visions and harbors, this collection fortifies our nature to hunt for a life worth living.
The ritualistic aspects are dismal, at best, and speak to the monotony of the modern world and that hopeless feeling of being part of the herd. Readers will find themselves clawing their way through the muck and grime of the everyday, finding that maybe only love can save them, or at least, the hope for love.
The ritualistic aspects are dismal, at best, and speak to the monotony of the modern world and that hopeless feeling of being part of the herd. Readers will find themselves clawing their way through the muck and grime of the everyday, finding that maybe only love can save them, or at least, the hope for love.
- GenresPoetry
102 pages, Paperback
Published May 31, 2019
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Lorcán Black
2 books4 followersLorcán Black is an Irish writer.
His poetry has previously been published in The Rush, Grim & Gilded, Progenitor, New Writing Scotland, Poet Lore, Stirring, Snapdragon, The Connecticut River Review, The Northern New England Review, The Los Angeles Review, The Saint Ann's Review, The Stinging Fly, Apogee, The Chrion Review, The Opiate & Assaracus, amongst many others.
He was formerly founder & Editor in Chief of the now defunct Anomaly Literary Journal.
He is a Pushcart Prize & Best of the Net nominee & his fiction has been longlisted for the Two Sylvias Prize & shortlisted for the Black Spring Press Prize.
His first collection, Rituals, was published by April Gloaming Publishing in 2019.
His second collection, Strange Husbandry, is forthcoming from Seren Books in July 2024. He is a Forward Prize nominee for 2024.
His poetry has previously been published in The Rush, Grim & Gilded, Progenitor, New Writing Scotland, Poet Lore, Stirring, Snapdragon, The Connecticut River Review, The Northern New England Review, The Los Angeles Review, The Saint Ann's Review, The Stinging Fly, Apogee, The Chrion Review, The Opiate & Assaracus, amongst many others.
He was formerly founder & Editor in Chief of the now defunct Anomaly Literary Journal.
He is a Pushcart Prize & Best of the Net nominee & his fiction has been longlisted for the Two Sylvias Prize & shortlisted for the Black Spring Press Prize.
His first collection, Rituals, was published by April Gloaming Publishing in 2019.
His second collection, Strange Husbandry, is forthcoming from Seren Books in July 2024. He is a Forward Prize nominee for 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 29, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. One of the most beautiful books of poetry I have read in a long time. Faith, madness, reality, all combined. What is faith? What are we to believe? How do you show that faith? These poems are all about what you feel.
I enjoyed the artwork as well. Everything fit well into the atmosphere of the poetry. This book may be dark to some, but I personally love the dark.
I enjoyed the artwork as well. Everything fit well into the atmosphere of the poetry. This book may be dark to some, but I personally love the dark.
June 8, 2019
This collection of poetry featured quite a lot of themes in it:mental health, being in mental institutions,feeling trapped in your own head, war,consequences of war,depression and many,many more. The author has such a unique style of writing, creating an atmospheric experience. All poems were dark,and as you read them you feel like you are drowning and with each poem you go down a little deeper. Don't think I will reread this one,but it will definitely stay with me for the rest of my life.
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2019
I’m new not poetry, but with the books I’ve been reading these few years, I usually feel connected to author themself or with the words, some still resonating in my soul. But this time I didn’t feel it, even tho i really tried. A few of the poems made me feel something, and that plus the beautiful wording is the reason that I’m disappointed in myself for not enjoying it more.
March 28, 2019
A beautiful collection of poems mostly about the darker aspects of the mind, with some witchcraft leanings.
August 6, 2019
ARC Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Right from the start, I will say that this writer is an educated individual. The poems are written in various forms and deal with a solid amount of topics. Mostly focusing on the darker bits of life.
Topics discussed here are mental illness, alienation, mental hospital care, drugs and the feeling of being misunderstood and alone in the world among the herd.
The poems are pleasing to read because they contain a lot of visual imagery, Onomatopoeia and metaphors.
Not a lot of people will connect to most of these poems but nonetheless, it is a beautiful collection of poetry.
I will not reread it anytime soon, I will pick up the next book from this author to see how his work progresses.
Right from the start, I will say that this writer is an educated individual. The poems are written in various forms and deal with a solid amount of topics. Mostly focusing on the darker bits of life.
Topics discussed here are mental illness, alienation, mental hospital care, drugs and the feeling of being misunderstood and alone in the world among the herd.
The poems are pleasing to read because they contain a lot of visual imagery, Onomatopoeia and metaphors.
Not a lot of people will connect to most of these poems but nonetheless, it is a beautiful collection of poetry.
I will not reread it anytime soon, I will pick up the next book from this author to see how his work progresses.
April 13, 2019
I didn’t enjoy this poetry collection at all. It was basically 100 pages of poetry and 97 pages were filler pages to make a book. The poetry wasn’t written very well and it just didn’t make any sense to me with the way the layout was completed. I won’t be reading anything else by this author.
May 25, 2019
Rituals by Lorcán Black is an arrangement of vivid images and edgy, emotional writing that also grips the reader. I have shared about it gladly on my blog, along with some other poetic titles. Many thanks to the publisher for this digital advance copy.
April 9, 2019
«The window is a void in the wall / I cannot get to.»
Fortunately, he can reach our souls with a touch of delicate words frozen on ice, hot as fire, that take of all of our masks. Cuts deep into the scars, physical and metaphorical. I love the word "Rituals" and fits perfectly this set of poems, filled with fragments of very raw reality. Even if these poems are very subtle they contain a strong melancholic charge. And that's kind clever when the shape is perfect but the deep emotions pop out. Heads as balloons or the moon with it's "virginal purity". A sense of innocence that's so pleasurable to read. Not very common nowadays.
Via #netgalley
Fortunately, he can reach our souls with a touch of delicate words frozen on ice, hot as fire, that take of all of our masks. Cuts deep into the scars, physical and metaphorical. I love the word "Rituals" and fits perfectly this set of poems, filled with fragments of very raw reality. Even if these poems are very subtle they contain a strong melancholic charge. And that's kind clever when the shape is perfect but the deep emotions pop out. Heads as balloons or the moon with it's "virginal purity". A sense of innocence that's so pleasurable to read. Not very common nowadays.
Via #netgalley
April 16, 2019
Wonderful poetry. I enjoyed the poems and they were beautiful. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the arc
July 2, 2019
[Thank you to Netgalley for providing the ebook in exchange for an honest review.]
Book 7 for April (poetry month)
I can see why this book would have been very popular and liked by many who read it; but this was just not a book that I seemed to get into. There were a few poems that I found myself liking but the others just felt a little too dark or about items that I normally would not read about.
I did like how this book seemed to be made up of different length of poems which felt nice compared to other books I have read in which either the poems were all very short or long. I did like the images that were included for some of the poems. They were very well done and pretty.
I picked this book up because I found myself really liking the front cover.
Book 7 for April (poetry month)
I can see why this book would have been very popular and liked by many who read it; but this was just not a book that I seemed to get into. There were a few poems that I found myself liking but the others just felt a little too dark or about items that I normally would not read about.
I did like how this book seemed to be made up of different length of poems which felt nice compared to other books I have read in which either the poems were all very short or long. I did like the images that were included for some of the poems. They were very well done and pretty.
I picked this book up because I found myself really liking the front cover.
August 18, 2019
"To build, you must first destroy."
This is my first poetry book review. I picked this book because the description and the cover intrigued me. The collection explores many themes: war, mental health and illness, self-harm, suicide, love, innocence, drug addictions, constant inner battles, mood swings etc. There is a constant undertone of poignancy and melancholy. Each poem is different in style and length. I loved the fact that they are not monotonous. As mentioned in the description of the book, readers will find themselves clawing through muck and grime, trying to find love so it can save them or at least, hope for love.
The poems are really dark. When I first picked it up to read, I knew this would be a dark read but it turned out to be darker than I imagined. The poems are bewitching but only a few came close to my heart, though every poem fascinated me with its intricate ritualistic writing. Pieces based on asylum reminded me of Sylvia Plath. Anyone who knows me, know that she was the one who helped me rediscover my love for poetry. The highly metaphorical poems, the ritualistic comparisons, the ethereal flow and the magic in the poet's writings are immensely remarkable! The soul of the book was deeply thought-provoking and profoundly deep. It is a quick read and anyone can read it but not everyone will like it but the poem's imagery will stay with you. I would love to read Black's upcoming collections!
Thank you, Net Galley and April Gloaming Publishing for providing me with a review copy.
This is my first poetry book review. I picked this book because the description and the cover intrigued me. The collection explores many themes: war, mental health and illness, self-harm, suicide, love, innocence, drug addictions, constant inner battles, mood swings etc. There is a constant undertone of poignancy and melancholy. Each poem is different in style and length. I loved the fact that they are not monotonous. As mentioned in the description of the book, readers will find themselves clawing through muck and grime, trying to find love so it can save them or at least, hope for love.
The poems are really dark. When I first picked it up to read, I knew this would be a dark read but it turned out to be darker than I imagined. The poems are bewitching but only a few came close to my heart, though every poem fascinated me with its intricate ritualistic writing. Pieces based on asylum reminded me of Sylvia Plath. Anyone who knows me, know that she was the one who helped me rediscover my love for poetry. The highly metaphorical poems, the ritualistic comparisons, the ethereal flow and the magic in the poet's writings are immensely remarkable! The soul of the book was deeply thought-provoking and profoundly deep. It is a quick read and anyone can read it but not everyone will like it but the poem's imagery will stay with you. I would love to read Black's upcoming collections!
Thank you, Net Galley and April Gloaming Publishing for providing me with a review copy.
June 6, 2019
“You the black shore I have broken away from,
madness a simple tithe.
Blackness forms my oars.”
RATING: 3.75/5
I received a free review copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. Ever since I started college and began reading poetry extensively, I have always been on the lookout for great collections which leave an indelible mark. When I discovered this on NetGalley, I was immediately smitten by the synopsis and was eager to find out how it used illustrations in tandem with verse. The reading experience was certainly unique. I had loved the gorgeous cover and illustrations inside the book, abstract in nature, were equally well-done. They gelled particularly well with the poems, especially the ritualistic themes which echoed across the collection. While the subjects were diverse and varied, there was a constant undertone of melancholy, impending doom, a descent into madness, and esoteric obsession in every piece.
They are quite dark and reach into the darkest deepest recesses of the human mind, the craft itself is quite remarkable. I could not imagine a better title. As is usually the case with my reception of free verse poetry, some pieces worked exceptionally well while some didn’t at all. One of the biggest drawbacks was that the poet rarely employs nuance in the execution of his vision which led to a marked lack of subtlety in a lot of the poems included here. My favourite pieces were - “Invocation of Ishtar”, “Magdalene Laundry”, “Asylum”, “Aleppo”, “How to Bake a Marital Desertion” and “Ghost in the Machine”. I would recommend this collection for anyone who is on the lookout for a unique set of poems which play with startling imagery.
madness a simple tithe.
Blackness forms my oars.”
RATING: 3.75/5
I received a free review copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. Ever since I started college and began reading poetry extensively, I have always been on the lookout for great collections which leave an indelible mark. When I discovered this on NetGalley, I was immediately smitten by the synopsis and was eager to find out how it used illustrations in tandem with verse. The reading experience was certainly unique. I had loved the gorgeous cover and illustrations inside the book, abstract in nature, were equally well-done. They gelled particularly well with the poems, especially the ritualistic themes which echoed across the collection. While the subjects were diverse and varied, there was a constant undertone of melancholy, impending doom, a descent into madness, and esoteric obsession in every piece.
They are quite dark and reach into the darkest deepest recesses of the human mind, the craft itself is quite remarkable. I could not imagine a better title. As is usually the case with my reception of free verse poetry, some pieces worked exceptionally well while some didn’t at all. One of the biggest drawbacks was that the poet rarely employs nuance in the execution of his vision which led to a marked lack of subtlety in a lot of the poems included here. My favourite pieces were - “Invocation of Ishtar”, “Magdalene Laundry”, “Asylum”, “Aleppo”, “How to Bake a Marital Desertion” and “Ghost in the Machine”. I would recommend this collection for anyone who is on the lookout for a unique set of poems which play with startling imagery.
April 22, 2019
I recently read Rituals by Lorcan Black and I was blown away by his writing. There is an ethereal undertone to all of the poems and it gives a magical effect to the entire narrative. The poet talks on various issues like innocence, religious supremacy, judgmental attitudes, forgiveness, of mental health and illness, suicide and self-harm, of being trapped inside one’s own mind, our changing personalities, war and its effects, gender roles, motherhood and parenthood as a whole, about the unknown, etc. Among all the poems, there is such a vast diversity in the themes that I believe each reader will take away something from reading them. There is a unique writing style and coupled with the unique lines, I think this is a beautiful collection – utterly profound and deep. I shall surely be returning to this one again. And I recommend this one anyone – fans of Neruda, Trakl, Sylvia Plath, and Shirley Jackson definitely go for this one.
I rate this one a 4.5/5 stars!
I rate this one a 4.5/5 stars!
May 17, 2019
I often forget how I enjoy poetry, until I read it again. Each of us interpret a poem off the backs of our own collective experiences. Our pasts help us process what we are reading so we see it through our own eyes. This collection of poems is dark, often sad, and laced with loneliness. A few of the poems I didn't personally connect with. Possibly because I myself haven't had experiences that I can relate back to. But the imagery was strong even when I didn't connect. I particularly enjoyed Tapestry, The Snare, A Lesson in Needlework, Nightwatch, And What the Light Does to Us. The wording in those works spoke to me. If you enjoy dark poetry you may like this collection.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review. The review is my own opinion.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review. The review is my own opinion.
August 10, 2019
eBook provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I went in to Rituals with the expectation that I would enjoy it. I love poetry, I love the ~aesthetics~ that Rituals has, and I love the subjects Rituals covers. However, I was completely disappointed. None of the poems grabbed me in any capacity. I found myself bored and scanning the pages because nothing was gripping or interesting. It seems like the author had one half-interesting Instagram poem and made an entire book of poems around it, all of them more pretentious and meaningless than the previous one. I so desperately wanted to enjoy this book, but I walked away from it after finishing it, relieved that it was finally over. The only reason it earns two stars is because the illustrations were absolutely beautiful.
I went in to Rituals with the expectation that I would enjoy it. I love poetry, I love the ~aesthetics~ that Rituals has, and I love the subjects Rituals covers. However, I was completely disappointed. None of the poems grabbed me in any capacity. I found myself bored and scanning the pages because nothing was gripping or interesting. It seems like the author had one half-interesting Instagram poem and made an entire book of poems around it, all of them more pretentious and meaningless than the previous one. I so desperately wanted to enjoy this book, but I walked away from it after finishing it, relieved that it was finally over. The only reason it earns two stars is because the illustrations were absolutely beautiful.
June 29, 2019
This was a quiet little poetry collection. The author describes it as a "strange little book" in the acknowledgements and that's an apt description. The cover intrigued me with its mix of beauty and brokenness, and the poems have the same feeling. This is not a happy collection, but it is beautifully written. None of the poems particularly resonated with me or made me feel strong emotions, but that's not a bad thing. It just didn't click all the way with me. The poet is undoubtedly very gifted, though, so I encourage you to give it a try.
*I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
*I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
August 11, 2019
I received a free copy of this collection in exchange for an honest review, from Netgalley.
Rituals is at times a very dark collection of poems (TWs child abuse, suicidal thoughts, rape) that covers a surprisingly large range of topics, from catholic nuns murdering children to getting lost on a hike during a rainy day.
I much prefer the shorter poems in this collection, as the longer ones were fairly easy to get lost in.
There is a face paced, dark energy that runs through these poems that kept me reading right through to the end (I read this in one sitting). There are some great, emotive poems in here.
I will definitely pick up his next collection.
Rituals is at times a very dark collection of poems (TWs child abuse, suicidal thoughts, rape) that covers a surprisingly large range of topics, from catholic nuns murdering children to getting lost on a hike during a rainy day.
I much prefer the shorter poems in this collection, as the longer ones were fairly easy to get lost in.
There is a face paced, dark energy that runs through these poems that kept me reading right through to the end (I read this in one sitting). There are some great, emotive poems in here.
I will definitely pick up his next collection.
June 9, 2021
I appreciate poetry that exposes me to a different experience or worldview. Poetry can also be beautiful, challenging and inspiring.
This collection seems self-indulgent and narcissistic. It is also not really interesting to read in terms of poetic rhythm or structure. The author may have found much healing and growth in the process of writing, however, I don't think many other people would find much to linger on. Perhaps I shouldn't speak for others, but this did not resonate with me.
It is self-consciously dark and intentionally trying to invoke a sense of other-worldly spirits and power.
This collection seems self-indulgent and narcissistic. It is also not really interesting to read in terms of poetic rhythm or structure. The author may have found much healing and growth in the process of writing, however, I don't think many other people would find much to linger on. Perhaps I shouldn't speak for others, but this did not resonate with me.
It is self-consciously dark and intentionally trying to invoke a sense of other-worldly spirits and power.
February 17, 2022
Lorcan Black's Rituals is a collection of dark poetry, wonderfully illustrated by Tim Durham and published by April Gloaming , an independent Nashville publisher with a keen eye for the Southern Gothic. Rituals opens with an invocation, drawing the reader into a twilit world where time and place shift like fog. I particularly love one of the verses from that opening poem:
These are my ingredientsIf you're looking for a book of poetry to read in the small hours of the morning, this is a great book for you.
it begins and ends
with metal on concrete -
a smattering of blood and glass,
a shadow, a whisper
May 12, 2019
I was so excited going into this collection, especially following the first poem, but I felt most of these pieces were too literal for my taste. Very specific events were described in a beautiful fashion, but little was left up to the reader to translate for themself. The illustrations were beautiful, but also very literal depictions of the events rather than seeing the artist's interpretations of the poetry.
Thank you to NetGalley and April Gloaming Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this collection.
Thank you to NetGalley and April Gloaming Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this collection.
May 13, 2019
Disclaimer: I was provided with a free digital download of this book by NetGallery in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I was disappointed in this volume of work. While I knew some of the writing would be dark due to subject matter, I didn't expect the entire book to be so dismal. The writing style also seemed to evade my perception. I found it to be very rudimentary.
The book itself had a lot of blank/filler pages and could have been condensed.
I don't claim to be a poetry expert, but this one simply offered me no reading pleasure.
I was disappointed in this volume of work. While I knew some of the writing would be dark due to subject matter, I didn't expect the entire book to be so dismal. The writing style also seemed to evade my perception. I found it to be very rudimentary.
The book itself had a lot of blank/filler pages and could have been condensed.
I don't claim to be a poetry expert, but this one simply offered me no reading pleasure.
May 20, 2019
I received a free e-book over NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This poetry collection definitely has more of a classic feel to it. For everyone who likes that more than the shorter modern style, this book will be amazing. I just couldn't get into it and felt no connection to the poems. They were well crafted and I enjoyed, that the book was short and every poem felt like it had a reason to be there and wasn't just filler.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes longer, more lyrical poems. It just sadly wasn't for me.
This poetry collection definitely has more of a classic feel to it. For everyone who likes that more than the shorter modern style, this book will be amazing. I just couldn't get into it and felt no connection to the poems. They were well crafted and I enjoyed, that the book was short and every poem felt like it had a reason to be there and wasn't just filler.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes longer, more lyrical poems. It just sadly wasn't for me.
May 20, 2019
This is a lovely collection of poetry from a talented poet and I really enjoyed reading it. There were different styles and I particularly enjoyed the dark subject matter and how the poet addressed these topics. I loved the witchcraft elements as well. There is a diversity of themes in this poetry collection, everything from mental health, parenting, and much more. I was a pleasure to read and quite a few of the poems left me thinking afterwards.
June 15, 2019
This book was amazing! I love the poetic prose and the dark escapades of love, life and fears of every angle one could imagine. This book will forever hold a spot in my mind as what I see and learn of rituals of pain, fear, loss and especially love. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for the kind of read that takes you on every twist and turn of imaginative feelings of metaphors.
July 1, 2019
Content warning: injury detail, death, blood imagery, gore
I really wanted to get into this collection, but it just fell flat for me. There were some beautiful lines and sections in the book, but I disconnected with the majority of the poems because I was a bit confused as to what the author was conveying? Tbh, it wasn’t really for me overall. The illustrations were very vague and didn’t always connect to the poems.
I really wanted to get into this collection, but it just fell flat for me. There were some beautiful lines and sections in the book, but I disconnected with the majority of the poems because I was a bit confused as to what the author was conveying? Tbh, it wasn’t really for me overall. The illustrations were very vague and didn’t always connect to the poems.
July 14, 2019
I really, really wanted to love this poetry book. Rituals is about mental institutions and mythology and the grime of everyday life. And yes, some of the poems are perfectly crafted. Some lines squeeze the breath right out of my body. But overall, many of the poems sprawl for too long, four roman-numeral'd sections to a poem that was boring in the first part.
(Thanks NetGalley for providing me with an advanced readers copy in return for an honest review.)
(Thanks NetGalley for providing me with an advanced readers copy in return for an honest review.)
March 21, 2019
That poetry wasn’t for me. The them were dark enough and could have possibly please me, but the poetry style, the writing, just felt a bit young, «immature» in a way, don’t know what’s the age of the author, but that’s the feeling it has on me. Reading is always a personal experience and taste and poetry is even more so maybe it would please some reader, but it didn’t please me. Sorry...
May 12, 2019
Thanks to NetGalley I received an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
It was hard to focus on reading Rituals but its the same with performing a ritual after all. You daze off but you continue the ritual.
Two or three of the poems strike me like a lightening; Asylum, Aleppo
It was hard to focus on reading Rituals but its the same with performing a ritual after all. You daze off but you continue the ritual.
Two or three of the poems strike me like a lightening; Asylum, Aleppo
February 26, 2022
Beautiful poetry and wonderful illustrations combine in this book. It's dark, but deep at the same time, and will make you think. They really hit you in the heart, and you may tear up while reading it. Overall, a great collection.
June 30, 2019
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Rituals, released on the 31st of May this year, from NetGalley and the publisher April Gloaming Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
I want to begin as always, by saying that this review may contain thoughts and opinions that could spoil the book for you.
The blurb for this collection states that "Black's poetry illuminates the wonder in all of us."..."this collection fortifies our nature to hunt for a life worth living." Which pretty much perfectly sums up how I felt about this work.
I have decided that my rating for Rituals had to be at least 3.5-4 out of 5 stars. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but those of you who do appreciate poetry that is quite metaphoric and gritty pick this up. I will say though, if you can, read Black's poem 'Aleppo' it will break your heart... in a good way?
For my full review check out my blog:
https://readbyamity.blog
I want to begin as always, by saying that this review may contain thoughts and opinions that could spoil the book for you.
The blurb for this collection states that "Black's poetry illuminates the wonder in all of us."..."this collection fortifies our nature to hunt for a life worth living." Which pretty much perfectly sums up how I felt about this work.
I have decided that my rating for Rituals had to be at least 3.5-4 out of 5 stars. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but those of you who do appreciate poetry that is quite metaphoric and gritty pick this up. I will say though, if you can, read Black's poem 'Aleppo' it will break your heart... in a good way?
For my full review check out my blog:
https://readbyamity.blog
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews