OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Nobody Will Ever Hurt Me Like You Did" by Mark Abukoff.]

“Sometimes the things that touch us the most
are those we cannot touch but only imagine”

So says Mark Abukoff’s book of poetry, “Nobody Will Ever Hurt Me Like You Did.” And he couldn’t be more right. The collection begins with a poem describing a woman rejecting a man – the narrator – and continues into ruminations on love of all kinds. Told from the first person, the poems chronicle various stages of relationships in non-trivial ways. Some address the opening stages of courtship, the giddy excitement of firsts. Others focus on deeper feelings from the good days in a relationship – the ecstasy of sex, the comfort of lying next to someone. More focus on what the title indicates: the pain of letting go.

Reading a book of poems is unlike reading a book of anything else. Ina poem, words carry a different weight. Books are the averages of their words, the median of their prose. Meaning comes from books the way images emerge from pixels. With a poem, however, each word carries the weight of the whole work. Words in poems are more like pieces of a watch – a single misplaced one can break the whole thing.

I can’t honestly say that every poem in Abukoff’s book was a masterpiece, that every word was perfectly aligned in every ticking timepiece. What I can say is that I was touched by some of the words I read. Abukoff’s work, though imperfect, conveyed an understanding of love that I could empathize with. I knew what he was talking about most of the time. I’d felt the things he’d felt.

I know what he means when he says,

“I don’t feel like being touched today
I don’t want the cold
mechanical hands
the computerized intimacy”

Or

“Iron bars
steel plating
concrete walls
miles and hours and kings and real life
do not a prison make”

What I liked best about this collection was the way it dealt with drama. I don’t particularly like the Romeo and Juliet approach of pretending that love is perfect, and it seems neither did Abukoff. He makes love a real thing, and sometimes it’s terrible and sometimes its hateful and sometimes it’s the best thing in the world. On the other hand, while his free form poetry and haikus were good, his rhyming left something to be desired.

I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. It wasn’t perfect, but it was good, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a few good poems and a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

******
Nobody Will Ever Hurt Me Like You Did
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Thank you. Some good lessons learned and nice to know the words weren't wasted

You have put together a very well reading review, such that I look forward to more from you @dhaller
Congrats to you and the author on a great review!! I'm not one for poetry, but this enthusiastic review should inspire more readers of poetry to check out this book, and that is why authors appreciate a review like this so much.

Yeah, I agree. Great review!! And congrats to the author! Poetry seems like a dying art, almost. This author seems to be reviving it. Love is a great topic!

Thank you very much! I'm working on a second book and learning new experimental forms of poetry!

Great! Well, you should hang out on this forum then. We have an active writers' area with writing tips and such, and a place where you can share individual poems!! Check it out!

Thanks I'm trying to find the time now

HA HA! Good luck with that. I know what you mean. You could do what I do--I write here at my computer, so when I need a break from a scene, I check in with the forum. Different things work for different people, though... hopefully you can find the time!

Thanks it's a little different for me. Writing the poetry book, adapting another poetry collection into a novella, writing a separate novel and companion short story collection and companion serialized fiction piece... Plus full time work and three cats lol. But I'll still try to pop in from time to time. Thanks though

You're welcome! Yeah, keep us posted!! We're pretty much here 24/7.

Thanks

Really nice review. In the future I will have to read more poetry -- it seems to be a medium that few people read (as opposed to prose works). Some of the poetry written by Abukoff weren't so bad, and it's great that you connected with the poet. Your description of poetry is something I've been wanting to put my finger on for quite some time. I should be able to use that next time I talk about poetry! Looking forward to more reviews from you, dhaller. Very well written.

First of all, thanks to everybody who commented! I'm pretty happy that you all seem to share my appreciation for and (in some cases) interpretation of poetry as a style of writing.

Also, Mr. Abukoff actually commented on my review! How awesome is that? Or is that a common thing here?

Anyway, I really enjoyed your work, sir. Keep writing!

Great review! I don't read poetry very often, but this book sounds very interesting. I really enjoyed reading your review, especially your comparison of the timing and placement of words to the inner workings of a watch. The metaphor was a perfect description for the makings of a good poem!