(AFTER) Life: Poems and Stories of the
DeadAnthology. Edited by Renee M. Schell, Barbara Froman, Marta Svea Wallien. Purple Passion Press, $15.95 paperback (106p) ISBN: 978-1-61170-212-5
(AFTER)
Life: Poems and Stories of the Dead, Purple Passion Press'
first anthology, is an exploration of the unknown. Far from being morbid, this
collaborative work is a tribute to the departed, an acceptance of human
fragility and ultimately a declaration of our ability to live in spite of
death.
In the editor's note, Renee M. Schell relates the
profound sense of shared loss she experienced in the aftermath of a dear
friend's baby boy being stillborn. Schell goes on to say, "A year after
the death of her son - almost to the day - she gave birth to a second son, who
lived. The decision she and her husband made to have a second child testifies
to human resilience. And this resilience, I believe, reflects our need to
believe in life over death."
The varying styles of prose and poetry in this
anthology serve as a reminder that we are united in the human experience. That
is to say, whatever our individual backgrounds, we will all - in one way or
another - come face to face with mortality and loss.
Each of the fifty-one succinct poems and concise
stories range in approach and perspective. From Bri Bruce's strong poetic
imagery which captures the sense of loss so poignantly, to Shaun Avery's tragic,
yet amusing story ‘Grave Diggers’ to Vuong Quoc Vu's elegantly written poems, this
accumulative work reminds us that we are alive and ought to live accordingly.
There is a profound sense of sadness in the book,
and rightly so, but it is never maudlin. In fact, there are some light-hearted
and humorous moments which lift the overall mood of the book considerably. Even
in these playful areas, the consistency of purpose is maintained. There is pain
here, but there is also a redemptive essence of restorative hope.
There are no weak links within the thirty-eight
contributing authors. The quality of writing is as consistent as the book's
theme. However, Purple Passion Press might want to consider including a few
fresher, less established writers in future anthologies; the bio pages read
like a who's who in the world of publishing and academia.
(AFTER)
Life: Poems and Stories of the Dead is a finely-crafted
anthology of relatable poems and stories which do, as the editor intended, testify
to human resilience. (July 2015)
Purchase
(AFTER) Life HERE.
Reviewer
bio: Matthew J. Hall is a UK writer based in Bristol. His poetry chapbook, Pigeons and Peace Doves, is available
through Blood Pudding Press. He reviews small press books at www.screamingwithbrevity.com
