Hungry Thing

by Shawn M. Klimek

"Hungry Thing" is a dark fantasy story told in five poems about a mysterious, all-consuming beast living in the woods, and how it's finally dealt with. Intricately illustrated in B&W by the Romanian surrealist, Norbert Somosi, this is the perfect book for lovers of fantasy, lyrical rhyme, or coloring books!

36 pages, Paperback

Published December 18, 2019

Reviews

[A.S. Charly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another set of beautiful dark poems by Shawn M Klimek Author, revolving around Gladys, several mysterious disappearances , a wondrous tree and the Hungry Thing. A pleasure to read!
The story is lovingly illustrated by NoSo Norbert Somosi. His artwork is amazingly detailed and I could admire it for hours.
Congratulations to the two authors on their beautiful collaboration work!

[Jim Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hungry Thing is a short book of five wonderful poems that blend together to tell a highly imaginative and entertaining story. The poems are beautifully written and as I read I had lines appear like sung choruses in my head. Described as Dark Fantasy the story can be interrupted on many levels. In fact, I'm going to share it with my eight year old granddaughter. She'll love the twenty amazing illustrations by Norbert Somosi which doing a beautiful job of enhancing the visually imagery of the story. I'm going to read it out loud with her and I'm positive she'll love it. If I'm right, I'll leave it with her and buy another copy for myself, because, in the end, Hungry Thing is not really a children's book, but one very much for adults who enjoy the written word, an exquisite turn of phrase, and can appreciate an ingenious story. It's an example of the perfect collaboration between writer and artist. I plan to revisit it often.

[Tom Jolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This small book of poems by Shawn Klimek leaves me with a different image in my mind every time I read it. At the simplest level, you can read it as a dark and sometimes humorous poem, with a dancing and changing meter and rhymes that beg to be read aloud. At another level, you can dive into the metaphors the poem represents, and at yet another level, appreciate the mystical artwork from Somosi as it blends in with the poems. It’s difficult to say whether the book is a collection of poems or a whole piece of art. But it was certainly worth reading, and reading again.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more a work of art to treasure than simply a book to read. Shawn Klimek’s five dark fantasy poems and Norbert Somosi’s stunningly detailed illustrations intertwine and complement each other superbly. I was led deep into a world of mythical beasts, forest birds and animals and mysterious characters. I read the poems in one sitting but one reading is not enough to take in the layers of meaning and the depth of imagination that has gone into the making of this book.

[Julie Eger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really is a hungry thing, as it pulls you in and in. What a wonderful read. The rhythm, the rhyme, the illustrations! A wonderful work of art through and through!

[María Estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never encountered such a unique book as Hungry Thing.

Shawn M. Klimek offers a compelling story told through verse. First, the book is made up of a series of poems narrating the story of Gladys, a lithe, graceful girl that gets too close to the Hungry Thing. That encounter was one of my favorite parts because she is so trusting of what others might perceive to be a monstrous creature. The poems also narrate the point of view of other characters who wonder about the Hungry Thing and their missing pets. The collection speaks to the bravery of children as they go after the Hungry Thing, and the aftermath following that encounter.

Most of the poems are metered and within each chapter have a unique rhyme scheme, so that the structures of the poems vary, chapter to chapter. What holds the poems together is the dark, vivid imagery and unanswered questions. Has the Hungry Thing actually eaten Gladys? The village pets? Is the Hungry Thing the machinations of a poet composing a metaphor? Do the answers really matter at all, or is the act of reading and imagining the sole purpose of such a fine book? Whatever you decide, you will enjoy journeying through this book and gleaning new meaning every time you read it.

Enough cannot be said about the masterful illustrations by Norbert Somosi. The images complemented the poetry in a fulfilling way. I loved the depictions of cats, dogs, and forest creatures. They juxtaposed beautifully against the dark tale. Often, I just looked through the illustrations, then read the poems separately, then together. If you love illustrated manuscripts, you will not be disappointed.

[Jesse Highsmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hungry Thing is a light read, but that was to be expected. After all, it's poetry! I am not an avid reader of poetry, but this was done in a style I like. The author kept a natural flow and rhyming pattern without leaving me tripping over convoluted wordfare. The ending line on each page tie it with the ones that came before, and some poignant lines really resonate on their own. "He who hates advice most needs it." Finally, I'd like to mention the illustrations. They are very interesting. The overall aesthetic of the book mirrors the story well.

[Nathan Roach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Klimek’s work is brilliant. He weaves with his words the themes and feelings that cause pause. I couldn’t stop smiling while reading this book. These five poems... beautifully reflected in the work of surrealist artist, Norbert Somosi, are highly entertaining and thought provoking.

I can’t wait to buy their next book.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Supreme dark fantastical poetry. Masterfully and thoughtfully constructed; Shawn has thrown his passions into this work and it shows.

If your soul desires wonderment and childlike imagination then this is a must read!

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book of five connected poems by Shawn Klimek, a multi-talented poet and author. The illustrations by Romanian surrealist, Norbert Somosi, are beautiful and add meat to the storyline. Well worth the price. You'll love this book!