Behind the Paint

by Marve Hendry

Behind the Paint is a collection of poems dealing with behind-the-scenes emotions and daily occurrences. It's about sentimental states, thoughts and habits that emerge as we go about our daily lives. The collection has something for everyone, focusing on various hidden or subconscious urges, with some parts alluding to our current social and spiritual challenges. The book is divided into five sections, with each section depicting a different perspective. Each section takes you on a distinct journey in hopes of giving you the opportunity to live vicariously through every word, sentence and emotion.

Genres: Poetry

92 pages, Paperback

Published February 9, 2020

Reviews

[Rick Jackofsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy reading this book. A very nice collection of poetic observations and recollections.

Thanks!

[Carol & Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was hard to put down.

[Brooke Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be upfront, I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

This book is a little on the shorter side (not a bad thing) but, I want to be 100% here… There were a few poems that lost me.

Marve uses a very descriptive, sophisticated language. I think there were just poems that went over my head or maybe were too sophisticated for me to process. BUT the author has a descriptive, sophisticated style—yes, that’s a good thing!

Though I may not have completely understood a good chunk of the poems, I can tell the author knows the style they’re writing in. They know how they want to say things and the images they want to convey. That much is clear. To that effect, I’m going to take my personal preference of simpler poems out of the equation & give this book a high rating.

Structurally, this book is solid & well-constructed with a lot of thought put into it. On the other hand, it wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea. Still, I’m sure someone will be able to enjoy this book the way it was meant to!

[Rose and Mike Mccarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable collection!

I won this kindle book as a GoodReads Giveaway and did not really have any preconceived exceptions.

Overall, I found it to be a very enjoyable collection of poems that I read as I recovered from surgery. I will admit there were a few that left me scratching my head in confusion, but even for those, the rhythm of the lines were enjoyable just to recite.
Thank you!

[Nik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won an ebook copy of Behind the Paint as a part of a Goodreads giveaway. This has not impacted my review, which I am writing voluntarily.

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A truly powerful collection of poetry. I tore through this book, read it in one sitting. With poetry, I usually have some critique even if I like the poem or the poetry collection. However, I truly have nothing to add. I definitely recommend this book.

[Jane Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Behind the Paint’ is a Collection of Poems dealing with emotion. The Collection has something for everyone. Most of the Poetry is about thoughts and habits that come up as we live our everyday lives. I felt that this book was very well written. Some of the words definitely gave me something to think about. I thought the Poetry was a lovely engaging collection.

I won a kindle copy of this book on a ‘Goodreads Giveaway’.

Reviews are posted on Goodreads, Amazon, B&N & Kindle.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read these poems, I could definitely feel a rather dark vibe (which I loved). The author told the story of everyday occurrences in a way that truly did paint a picture. However, it allowed me to see these events in a different light, hence referring back to the title (I really do get to view what is behind the paint while reading each poem). Each one was beautifully written and I wholeheartedly enjoyed this collection of poems.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Even though it was short it still took me longer then expected to finish, because I kept going back to reread poems I liked before I even finished the book. This is outside my usual reading taste but I like trying something new and different every once in a while. This time it worked out great!

I received a digital copy in a goodreads giveaway.

[Dayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing poetry

Honestly, I really enjoyed this poetry collection. Definitely gave me things to think about and I will for sure be sharing these poems and this book with friends to talk over together.

[Katlyn Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3

I feel this book is better enjoyed without preconceived notions, but I will say that this was pretty good!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be transparent…I won this in a goodreads giveaway.

Poetry is one of those things that either speaks to you…or you just don’t get it. And sometimes it depends on the reader’s mood. I resonated with a lot of the poems in this short collection. The feeling of self not being where we want it to be…the feeling of loss…and in the end, the feeling of going out to search for something better.

For me, this collection confirmed the adage that you don’t always know what’s going on behind someone’s exterior. We all experience pain, loss, fear, love, and everything in between. Emotions are complex. We hardly understand our own, much less anyone else’s. It’s good to take a step back and analyze our own feelings so that we can understand that others are feeling just as many complex emotions as we are.

This is a beautiful collection. As with any poetry collection, I did not fully resonate with every poem, or understand the deeper meaning behind each poem. However, it did make me think, and it made me feel. And to me…that’s what makes a great poem.

[Rosi Colmenares · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway, and I’ll admit I was a little nervous going in since poetry isn’t something I usually read.

That said, this turned out to be a really enjoyable collection of poems. It leans toward the darker, more depressing side, but in a way that feels honest and raw. I really loved how openly and beautifully the author expressed himself throughout the collection.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like the poetry was a bit intense. I’m not an expert in poetry and have read a few but this felt a bit intense and confusing. I definitely need to read again to get the true meaning of it.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoy poetry, I often struggle with what the poet is revealing with their words. So I generally am reading one or two at a time - rereading, looking for hidden meanings and big picture ideas.

Not sure how well I did with this one, but several of the poems did kind of meet me where I am. “To Whom it may concern” seems to speak directly to that thought - struggling to understand and learn of the poets intent and seeming unable to stop trying.

“Living with the cracks” and other truth beneath our veils” seem to in their own way, open recognition that we each choose what our lives are like and what we remember as we make our way through them.

[Any · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish it

I couldn’t get through it. I really wanted to finish because I won it through a giveaway but I got 80% through only after it put me in like a longer-than-a-month reading slump. It was probably really good poetry but I just didn’t have the attention span to enjoy it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for choosing me!

I'm glad I was given the opportunity to read another book by this author, the previous one I read I wasn't able to connect with, but this one exceeded my expectations.

Wonderful collection of poems. It's a quick read, and definitely worth it.

[Dawnyell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like a lot of the poems in the book. I'd recommend it.

[Cookie M. · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

These poems just seemed like words to me. I just couldn't. I don't know id they weren't very good or if they just didn't grab me, but nothing happened here.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.