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The Whisper Collector
The Whisper Collector is a dark and intensely honest book of poetry. There are five distinct collections of poems within- Provincial Lies, The Lacerations of Longing, A Tethered Ghost, Mother Tongue, and Munin. Each invite the reader to listen to the whispers of love, despair, doubt, and trust.
- GenresPoetry
108 pages, Paperback
Published August 15, 2017
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4 people want to read
About the author
Anais Chartschenko
14 books38 followers Anaïs Chartschenko hails from the Canadian wilderness. She has come to enjoy such modern things as electric tea kettles.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 1, 2022
August 1, 2022 - Third time I've read this book. That is my biggest compliment. That this book is worth countless rereads and that it shall always reward
May 19, 2018 Review -
This is the second time I read the Whisper Collector, and it was as amazing as the first. This book includes 5 mini-ish collections, each with its own feel to explore quite the emotional landscape. The 5 sections are titled “Provincial Lies” – “The Lacerations of Longing” – “A Tethered Ghost” – “Mother Tongue” and “Munin”. The best way I could describe it is if a band released a quintuple album with 5 intersecting approaches to their sound or in this case, Anaïs’s words. I was jotting down some quotable lines but then thought better of it because part of what I really enjoy about Chartschenko’s writing is her ability to surprise, disarm, and hit you in the gut. Reading it again, from the 3 collections, I still think this is my favorite though I can’t wait to read “Perfect Break” to see how it figures into her books. In regards to her style, lines need not always rhyme and breaking of lines is more stylistic than focused on function, meaning that lines aren’t necessarily meant to be read how they are displayed, though sometimes they are. Some people might mind this but to me it adds to the experience because each time I read the poems I find new things to focus on. As for content, getting deeply personal is par for the course, poetic prose is often seen, and of note are some poems that read like song lyrics and knowing her love for crossing genres, I wouldn’t be surprised to know that several of these poems have made it or will make it to song form. Highly recommended and gets better with every read.
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Anaïs Chartschenko has a knack for writing things that disarm me. Rarely if ever do you read anything that emotionally naked and disarming. But it is not vulnerable or weak. These whispers are barbwired, they’re raw, they’re deep, and they are intense. Chartschenko pulls no punches and if you’re looking for red roses and blue violets, look elsewhere. There are five collections within this volume and each varies in intensity and format. Some have poems with long lines, others are short rapid fire lines that stab the flesh of your emotions. I am certain some people who are more sensible will either be offended or shocked by the lines here. But for me, I was amazed at the raw beauty she once again captures. At times lyrical, you could easily envision poems in song form or spoken over a dirge-like piano and I wouldn’t mind these collections coming as a booklet in a CD. These are poems that are vivid though quite often very direct. What’s amazing in these collections isn’t in the metaphors but in the pure emotion you find within these verses. Once again, Chartschenko proves that there is beauty in scars, in darkness, and in whispers.
May 19, 2018 Review -
This is the second time I read the Whisper Collector, and it was as amazing as the first. This book includes 5 mini-ish collections, each with its own feel to explore quite the emotional landscape. The 5 sections are titled “Provincial Lies” – “The Lacerations of Longing” – “A Tethered Ghost” – “Mother Tongue” and “Munin”. The best way I could describe it is if a band released a quintuple album with 5 intersecting approaches to their sound or in this case, Anaïs’s words. I was jotting down some quotable lines but then thought better of it because part of what I really enjoy about Chartschenko’s writing is her ability to surprise, disarm, and hit you in the gut. Reading it again, from the 3 collections, I still think this is my favorite though I can’t wait to read “Perfect Break” to see how it figures into her books. In regards to her style, lines need not always rhyme and breaking of lines is more stylistic than focused on function, meaning that lines aren’t necessarily meant to be read how they are displayed, though sometimes they are. Some people might mind this but to me it adds to the experience because each time I read the poems I find new things to focus on. As for content, getting deeply personal is par for the course, poetic prose is often seen, and of note are some poems that read like song lyrics and knowing her love for crossing genres, I wouldn’t be surprised to know that several of these poems have made it or will make it to song form. Highly recommended and gets better with every read.
-
Anaïs Chartschenko has a knack for writing things that disarm me. Rarely if ever do you read anything that emotionally naked and disarming. But it is not vulnerable or weak. These whispers are barbwired, they’re raw, they’re deep, and they are intense. Chartschenko pulls no punches and if you’re looking for red roses and blue violets, look elsewhere. There are five collections within this volume and each varies in intensity and format. Some have poems with long lines, others are short rapid fire lines that stab the flesh of your emotions. I am certain some people who are more sensible will either be offended or shocked by the lines here. But for me, I was amazed at the raw beauty she once again captures. At times lyrical, you could easily envision poems in song form or spoken over a dirge-like piano and I wouldn’t mind these collections coming as a booklet in a CD. These are poems that are vivid though quite often very direct. What’s amazing in these collections isn’t in the metaphors but in the pure emotion you find within these verses. Once again, Chartschenko proves that there is beauty in scars, in darkness, and in whispers.
January 15, 2017
Fantastic 5 star Gem!
This is by far one of the best poetry books I've read in a long time. I loved the symmetry, and could picture everything in my mind. I don't think there was anything I didn't like,because I could picture some of my experiences in it. I would recommend "The Whisper Collector," to adults who like darker writing.
This is by far one of the best poetry books I've read in a long time. I loved the symmetry, and could picture everything in my mind. I don't think there was anything I didn't like,because I could picture some of my experiences in it. I would recommend "The Whisper Collector," to adults who like darker writing.
June 30, 2017
4.5 stars
This dives deep, but not in a very lyrical way.
It is more so written with the raw honesty of life, causing an emotional rollercoaster to appear.
Especially the poems from part four on hit home four me.
All the different styles of poems were nice to see too. Especially when considering almost every poem is done well. Some of course better then others, but this will depend on your tastes.
I love this quite extensive collection.
Receiving this as a gift makes me happy, the gifter had some good taste.
This dives deep, but not in a very lyrical way.
It is more so written with the raw honesty of life, causing an emotional rollercoaster to appear.
Especially the poems from part four on hit home four me.
All the different styles of poems were nice to see too. Especially when considering almost every poem is done well. Some of course better then others, but this will depend on your tastes.
I love this quite extensive collection.
Receiving this as a gift makes me happy, the gifter had some good taste.
August 24, 2017
SPELLBINDING
There were times when I was totally lost to the sway of the dark and beautiful rhythm of these wonderful poems. They are bleak, honest, heart-wrenching, passionate and moving. Some touch on love and an inner yearning that can never be fulfilled. Others reflect on self-harm, drinking, suicide, and the unbearable, crushing weight of loneliness. Whatever the theme, you will lose youself to the delicate magic of these wonderful verses.
Surreal and enigmatic, heartrending, horrifying, sad, but most of all exquisitely written, these poems will speak to your soul.
There were times when I was totally lost to the sway of the dark and beautiful rhythm of these wonderful poems. They are bleak, honest, heart-wrenching, passionate and moving. Some touch on love and an inner yearning that can never be fulfilled. Others reflect on self-harm, drinking, suicide, and the unbearable, crushing weight of loneliness. Whatever the theme, you will lose youself to the delicate magic of these wonderful verses.
Surreal and enigmatic, heartrending, horrifying, sad, but most of all exquisitely written, these poems will speak to your soul.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews