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Soliloquy: Poetry 2022
A chapbook of original poetry by Cliff Sowers.
98 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 1, 2022
I won this book after entering into a goodreads book giveaway. I feel pretty bad for giving this such a poor review considering there are few reviews, but I will give some of my thoughts on the poems and why I just did not really connect with them. Most of these poems are of a medium to short length and they have loose connections to the others in the collection as you read on. Now, I found that these poems either were not saying much of anything, or repeatedly saying the same thing over and over again. The whole collection just comes off as a middle aged man going though a mid-life crisis and writing down his jumbled thoughts in the form of sentences with line breaks. While a poetry collectiong focusing on this stage of life could be interesting, as there are many novels and poems that grapple with being middle aged and how there is real struggle to find purpose, to fit in with coworkers and family, and the never ending comparisons. This collection just does bring anything new or insightful to the table nor does it feel as authentic as the title soliloquy would imply that it would be. Most of the poems feel over dramtic in some way or another and lack true rythm, beauty, and depth.
However, while I feel this way, I am most likely not the target audience for this book and others might genuinly enjoy this. I just did not. Also, this collection might also work as an introduction to some easier to read poetry before jumping stright into the deep end. It also means that there is room for improvement.
Once again, sorry for being so harsh, but this is just an honest review from my point of view.
However, while I feel this way, I am most likely not the target audience for this book and others might genuinly enjoy this. I just did not. Also, this collection might also work as an introduction to some easier to read poetry before jumping stright into the deep end. It also means that there is room for improvement.
Once again, sorry for being so harsh, but this is just an honest review from my point of view.
April 8, 2023
UPDATE: interesting how the synopsis now has a trigger warning that's essentially gaslighting everyone who left bad ratings as "irrational."
I...disliked this very much. If the poems are a reflection of the authors voice at all, the author, who is somehow arrogant and self-loathing at the same time, hates women (loves to use the word "slut/slutty" in a derogatory tone), and himself. The voice is self-important and haughty. I didn't find it charming or ironic, either. These tones can absolutely find a place in poetry and I completely understand not every voice in a poem has to be likable but this collection did not feel universal...unless you're a heartbroken misogynist who thinks every woman who he's ever been with is a slut.
In the poem "Nice Man," the narrator perpetuates racist stereotypes by making a character described as having "black skin" manipulate the narrator in an effort to steal groceries....it's so blatant that I'm still dumbstruck that I read it.
As for the poems themselves, every single one felt like a first draft. Sowers employs a range of poetry tools, which I can appreciate, but the poems felt uninspired and unchallenged.
I did enjoy one: Speechless. Sowers uses strong pacing, word choice and form to craft a poem about depression and healing.
It's worth noting that I won this ebook copy from a Goodreads giveaway and I'm glad I had a chance to read it. Perhaps my review was harsh but I simply didn't connect with the writing at all.
I...disliked this very much. If the poems are a reflection of the authors voice at all, the author, who is somehow arrogant and self-loathing at the same time, hates women (loves to use the word "slut/slutty" in a derogatory tone), and himself. The voice is self-important and haughty. I didn't find it charming or ironic, either. These tones can absolutely find a place in poetry and I completely understand not every voice in a poem has to be likable but this collection did not feel universal...unless you're a heartbroken misogynist who thinks every woman who he's ever been with is a slut.
In the poem "Nice Man," the narrator perpetuates racist stereotypes by making a character described as having "black skin" manipulate the narrator in an effort to steal groceries....it's so blatant that I'm still dumbstruck that I read it.
As for the poems themselves, every single one felt like a first draft. Sowers employs a range of poetry tools, which I can appreciate, but the poems felt uninspired and unchallenged.
I did enjoy one: Speechless. Sowers uses strong pacing, word choice and form to craft a poem about depression and healing.
It's worth noting that I won this ebook copy from a Goodreads giveaway and I'm glad I had a chance to read it. Perhaps my review was harsh but I simply didn't connect with the writing at all.
September 1, 2022
I received a free kindle ebook from winning a giveaway for Goodreads, I think there should be a trigger warnings page at the beginning because some of the content I know would be triggering for some. I found a few of the poems disgusting and the tone of a lot of them misogynistic.
August 7, 2022
Very dark, goth, and depressing. I recommend only reading it on a sunny day. A lot of triggers - murders, bad love etc. Liked it one spoonful at a time.
Last two poems were my favorite - poison ivy and humbling of humans.
Received a Kindle copy from Goodreads Giveaway, thank you.
Last two poems were my favorite - poison ivy and humbling of humans.
Received a Kindle copy from Goodreads Giveaway, thank you.
February 4, 2023
Triggering, misogynistic, and disturbing. Wish I had never read.
August 14, 2022
Stunning
Just an amazing collection of poetry. Thought provoking words that haunt me days after I read them. Thank you Goodreads for the opportunity to discover this fantastic book. Thank you Mr. Cliff Showers for allowing me to view a piece of his soul.
Just an amazing collection of poetry. Thought provoking words that haunt me days after I read them. Thank you Goodreads for the opportunity to discover this fantastic book. Thank you Mr. Cliff Showers for allowing me to view a piece of his soul.
November 5, 2022
I won a Kindle copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
I personally didn't relate to or enjoy most of the poems. They're dark, sad angry, self-loathing, and a little complaining. These are all valid emotions and valid poems, but it wasn't for me. Some of the poems were decent, didn't hate it, but it also didn't wow me with any new insights or perspectives.
I personally didn't relate to or enjoy most of the poems. They're dark, sad angry, self-loathing, and a little complaining. These are all valid emotions and valid poems, but it wasn't for me. Some of the poems were decent, didn't hate it, but it also didn't wow me with any new insights or perspectives.
February 13, 2023
Poems about using women, raping them and tossing away their bodies, ejaculating inside them. If I have to read the word “pussy” one more time 😑
The misogyny, it’s all so very male. Very Y chromosome.
I won this in a giveaway so unfortunately I can’t get a refund.
The misogyny, it’s all so very male. Very Y chromosome.
I won this in a giveaway so unfortunately I can’t get a refund.
January 20, 2023
A lot of these poems felt like they were trying too hard and were unnecessarily brutal and graphic. Not for me
June 28, 2023
I won this as a Goodreads giveaway. The tone of the poems was very off-putting. I agree with another reviewer who said there was an air of misogyny throughout the book.
March 13, 2023
Goodreads Giveaways winner, and I'm grateful I got the opportunity to broaden my horizons with poetry a lil' bit more. Thanks very much, Goodreads ✨️
That being said, while I am grateful for the book, I'm also grateful it was short and free. 😰
Let me just give you pros and cons, and you can decide for yourself if this collection by Cliff Sowers is a good fit for your next read
Let's go ✌️
Cons:
•Starting the beginning of this off strong with trigger warnings. They did not exist for this book and absolutely should have. No matter what you're writing, if you have traumatic content, you need trigger warnings.
•Almost on that same note, I saw another reviewer left a similar statement in a review, and it looks like the author himself commented back, called her a "snowflake," and then deleted his comment. I absolutely do not condone this kind of behavior from authors. Whether you get a good review or a bad one, you should take creative criticism with stride and simply move on. Do not degrade your readers for not liking what you wrote or for having a suggestion.
•The main impression I got from the authors writing was that he's extremely sexist, he's racist, and he's somehow a narcissist who hates himself. He could not write about a woman without overusing the word "p*ssy" and calling her a "sl*t." The poem "Nice Guy," I'm just not going to say anymore on that. I don't remember what it was called but a poem where the author ran into an old ex. All he did the first half was talk about how much of a "sl*t" she used to be, how good she was doing in life at the "current" time, and how he "saved" her, he was her salvation from a miserable life by leaving her. Narcissist. The second half of the poem was spent convincing himself that he's miserable with his life, but it's okay because her happiness is a sham. She's miserable too, she must be, "she's bored with her happiness and success." Narcissist full of self hate. Okay.
These are getting long, so we'll just stick with those and move on to the pros. 🤦♀️
Pros:
•Man knows how to write a poem. They are well formatted enough that you think about them, but not so poetic in nature that you have to either think about them or they don't make sense.
•Not sure if this was his intent, of course, but his words on mental and emotional instability was staggering. This book is definitely dark in nature. (At times, too dark for some, so watch out.) It can be hard to write about these things, and it not come out too wordy. His writing sounds like a thought process, which I can always appreciate. Sometimes, our minds work in poetic devices, and I'm here for it.
•The book is a good size. If you find this may still be a good read for you, then the poems are not too long or too short, and neither is the book as a whole.
Check this out if you want ✌️✨️
That being said, while I am grateful for the book, I'm also grateful it was short and free. 😰
Let me just give you pros and cons, and you can decide for yourself if this collection by Cliff Sowers is a good fit for your next read
Let's go ✌️
Cons:
•Starting the beginning of this off strong with trigger warnings. They did not exist for this book and absolutely should have. No matter what you're writing, if you have traumatic content, you need trigger warnings.
•Almost on that same note, I saw another reviewer left a similar statement in a review, and it looks like the author himself commented back, called her a "snowflake," and then deleted his comment. I absolutely do not condone this kind of behavior from authors. Whether you get a good review or a bad one, you should take creative criticism with stride and simply move on. Do not degrade your readers for not liking what you wrote or for having a suggestion.
•The main impression I got from the authors writing was that he's extremely sexist, he's racist, and he's somehow a narcissist who hates himself. He could not write about a woman without overusing the word "p*ssy" and calling her a "sl*t." The poem "Nice Guy," I'm just not going to say anymore on that. I don't remember what it was called but a poem where the author ran into an old ex. All he did the first half was talk about how much of a "sl*t" she used to be, how good she was doing in life at the "current" time, and how he "saved" her, he was her salvation from a miserable life by leaving her. Narcissist. The second half of the poem was spent convincing himself that he's miserable with his life, but it's okay because her happiness is a sham. She's miserable too, she must be, "she's bored with her happiness and success." Narcissist full of self hate. Okay.
These are getting long, so we'll just stick with those and move on to the pros. 🤦♀️
Pros:
•Man knows how to write a poem. They are well formatted enough that you think about them, but not so poetic in nature that you have to either think about them or they don't make sense.
•Not sure if this was his intent, of course, but his words on mental and emotional instability was staggering. This book is definitely dark in nature. (At times, too dark for some, so watch out.) It can be hard to write about these things, and it not come out too wordy. His writing sounds like a thought process, which I can always appreciate. Sometimes, our minds work in poetic devices, and I'm here for it.
•The book is a good size. If you find this may still be a good read for you, then the poems are not too long or too short, and neither is the book as a whole.
Check this out if you want ✌️✨️
May 8, 2023
4.6 STARS
I really enjoyed how striking these poems were! They definitely left food for thought! I do wish there was not a perspective shift from the narrator discussing their own relationship (and life) to examining the wickedness in the world. That switch felt intense and distracting from the subject matter at hand. But if you are looking for a touching and extraordinary book of poetry, this is the one !
There are mentions of rape, domestic abuse, and other topics, so readers, beware.
I really enjoyed how striking these poems were! They definitely left food for thought! I do wish there was not a perspective shift from the narrator discussing their own relationship (and life) to examining the wickedness in the world. That switch felt intense and distracting from the subject matter at hand. But if you are looking for a touching and extraordinary book of poetry, this is the one !
There are mentions of rape, domestic abuse, and other topics, so readers, beware.
August 16, 2022
I received a free Kindle copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Quite frankly, I didn't enjoy it at all. The poet doesn't do anything particularly innovative in his poems, and the content comes across as misogynistic. There are pithy quotes interspersed between the poems, and I find that they don't add anything to the collection.
October 25, 2022
I learned to appreciate poetry after winning a few books through the giveaways program. While I can appreciate how the writer wrote so well, the poems were a little dark and I prefer a lighter happier take on life.
July 7, 2022
❤️❤️❤️
July 7, 2022
FYI this book has some adult language. It doesn’t bother me, but some might want to know that prior to reading.
This was a quick read with relatable stories. I wouldn’t say I loved it, but it’s not a bad read. I’m not really sure how to review poetry, it either resonates with you or it doesn’t.
This was a quick read with relatable stories. I wouldn’t say I loved it, but it’s not a bad read. I’m not really sure how to review poetry, it either resonates with you or it doesn’t.
August 12, 2022
Excellent work!
September 3, 2022
Being able to connect with the poems in this book was a lovely experience. I wanted to hug the author by the end. I don't read much poetry but this was worth it.
October 24, 2022
Amazingly poetic.
October 4, 2023
I am not that much fond of poetry but these are quite different and easy to understand.
July 29, 2022
I loved it!
September 19, 2023
This is undoubtedly the poetry with the worst morals I've ever read. Have you ever wanted to read a bunch of poems about how women are mean to you specifically, with a bit of far-right Russian conspiracy thrown in for good measure? Then I guess this is the book for you. It was not the book for me.
September 1, 2023
DNF @ 21% I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway. I normally don’t rate books I DNF, but this is an exception. I won another of Cliff’s poetry books in a Goodreads giveaway and I gave it 1 ⭐️, then I realized I had already won this one as well and I would have to put myself through another one of his self important, misogynistic tirades. But after I read the poem “Two Seconds Ago” I had to put the book down. That is the most disgusting poem I have ever read and it made me feel sick to my stomach.
August 9, 2022
This is a short nook of poetry that's dark. That in and of itself isn't a problem. As aptly titled, Soliloquy, is the sole vision of the author and seems to chronicle a dark journey in a well lit, arid location. It alludes to all sorts of terrible disasters and it’s hard to tell if author is undergoing a ruthless self realization or wallowing in self-indulgent angst.
I can’t say it’s a deep insight into anything, details are so scant that there is no real way to tell other than in the most superficial details what he did or what happened to him.
I can’t say it’s a deep insight into anything, details are so scant that there is no real way to tell other than in the most superficial details what he did or what happened to him.
October 23, 2023
I actually won the Goodreads giveaway for this book as well as the Mirror, Mirror collection.
What I loved about Mirror, Mirror was the preface. The preface states that people might not connect with every poem and that it is fine. What works for one might not work for another. It suggested that multiple reads are required to appreciate a poem and how your mindset can change your interpretation of it.
I didn't connect with Soliloquy as easily as I did with Mirror, Mirror. I took the advice from the previous book and I started to a deeper understanding and appreciate for this one.
For me at least,
Mirror, Mirror and the door test was the sad realization of not seeing the very obvious signs of people who use you.
Soliloquy feels like the anger that follows all those encounters. It is about how you want to shift it to someone else but you only end up poisoning yourself instead. It can be vulgar at times and I can see how that might be off-putting for some but overall enjoyed the poems.
I think reading both collections gave me a understanding and appreciation for them.
What I loved about Mirror, Mirror was the preface. The preface states that people might not connect with every poem and that it is fine. What works for one might not work for another. It suggested that multiple reads are required to appreciate a poem and how your mindset can change your interpretation of it.
I didn't connect with Soliloquy as easily as I did with Mirror, Mirror. I took the advice from the previous book and I started to a deeper understanding and appreciate for this one.
For me at least,
Mirror, Mirror and the door test was the sad realization of not seeing the very obvious signs of people who use you.
Soliloquy feels like the anger that follows all those encounters. It is about how you want to shift it to someone else but you only end up poisoning yourself instead. It can be vulgar at times and I can see how that might be off-putting for some but overall enjoyed the poems.
I think reading both collections gave me a understanding and appreciation for them.
July 19, 2022
Soliloquy: Poetry 2022 by Cliff Sowers is a collection of dark, profane, odious, sordid poems. Reminds me of the lyrics to a lot of death metal songs. Those who are into that kind of music would probably love this book. Not your every day poetry. I received a free copy of this ebook from GoodReads.
December 31, 2022
These poems creeped me out.
November 25, 2022
I received this book as a Kindle giveaway from Goodreads. I was excited when I saw the title so I entered the giveaway. The first poem caught me off guard, but I kept reading because I was optimistic that it would get better....or lighter I should say. I should have stopped at the very offensive and racist "Nice Man"...but the book is aptly titled. I appreciate the poet's candor, however, this book is unsettling, depressing, sordid even. Some readers may enjoy this...but this one is not for me.
July 20, 2022
Soliloquy: poetry about depression and loneliness
Soliloquy is a very well written, raw telling of your inner talks of self doubts. It was hard to read at times due to the raw telling of depression and divorce.
Soliloquy is a very well written, raw telling of your inner talks of self doubts. It was hard to read at times due to the raw telling of depression and divorce.
July 8, 2022
Soliloquy: Poetry invited you to exactly what it read- one's bare thoughts. It was beautifully dark and unsettling to peer into the poet's stark discourse.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews