Review of Propolis for a Fractured World
Posted: 28 Jul 2024, 02:16
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Propolis for a Fractured World" by Greg Stidham.]
Propolis for a Fractured World by Greg Stidham is a beautiful collection of poems that prays to the world of bees and the melody of coexistence with nature and people. Again, the richness of the text is in the prosaic notes, feelings, and thoughts—the comparison of the rigorously organized life of the bees and the turmoil of people under social and environmental transformations. The focus of Stidham’s work is quite serious: he narrates his experience as a beekeeper’s beginner and depicts the struggle for a quiet and peaceful life in the controversy of bees, the problems of togetherness, and altruism.
The poems are diverse in their themes and the language used to convey both the practical skills of beekeeping and the high ethical principles of people’s existence within the framework of nature. The context of the author’s city-based setting neatly complements the postcard-perfect yet threatened world of bees. Thus, this duality forces the reader to think about their contribution to the destruction of the natural environment and the relationship between all living organisms.
Among the collection’s key strong points, it is best to mention the work’s representative poems, “Lying with Honeybees” and “The Wounded Queen,” that address the idea of intimacy with nature and carry rather poignant emotional imagery. In this aspect, the simplicity of the writing that Stidham employs is remarkable in that it will enable the readers to relate to the author’s experiences and ideas on a very basic and deep-seated level.
However, the collection may only appeal to readers who already have an interest in nature and environmental issues; thus, the audience may be limited. It is important to note that some of the findings in the area of beekeeping are rather interesting; some readers may consider some of the details more technical than necessary or too specialized. A seemingly objective way could attract a larger audience.
Constructive criticism could therefore be directed at the organization of the collection. Grouping poems by a common theme can usually enrich the readers, as it will flow continuously from one poem to another in the book. This would help in providing the readers with some sort of map that would guide them through Stidham’s reflections.
This book was professionally edited because I didn’t find any noticeable mistakes while reading it. After considering all the points mentioned above, I will rate it 4 out of 5. I would highly recommend this book to people who love nature and poetry.
******
Propolis for a Fractured World
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Propolis for a Fractured World by Greg Stidham is a beautiful collection of poems that prays to the world of bees and the melody of coexistence with nature and people. Again, the richness of the text is in the prosaic notes, feelings, and thoughts—the comparison of the rigorously organized life of the bees and the turmoil of people under social and environmental transformations. The focus of Stidham’s work is quite serious: he narrates his experience as a beekeeper’s beginner and depicts the struggle for a quiet and peaceful life in the controversy of bees, the problems of togetherness, and altruism.
The poems are diverse in their themes and the language used to convey both the practical skills of beekeeping and the high ethical principles of people’s existence within the framework of nature. The context of the author’s city-based setting neatly complements the postcard-perfect yet threatened world of bees. Thus, this duality forces the reader to think about their contribution to the destruction of the natural environment and the relationship between all living organisms.
Among the collection’s key strong points, it is best to mention the work’s representative poems, “Lying with Honeybees” and “The Wounded Queen,” that address the idea of intimacy with nature and carry rather poignant emotional imagery. In this aspect, the simplicity of the writing that Stidham employs is remarkable in that it will enable the readers to relate to the author’s experiences and ideas on a very basic and deep-seated level.
However, the collection may only appeal to readers who already have an interest in nature and environmental issues; thus, the audience may be limited. It is important to note that some of the findings in the area of beekeeping are rather interesting; some readers may consider some of the details more technical than necessary or too specialized. A seemingly objective way could attract a larger audience.
Constructive criticism could therefore be directed at the organization of the collection. Grouping poems by a common theme can usually enrich the readers, as it will flow continuously from one poem to another in the book. This would help in providing the readers with some sort of map that would guide them through Stidham’s reflections.
This book was professionally edited because I didn’t find any noticeable mistakes while reading it. After considering all the points mentioned above, I will rate it 4 out of 5. I would highly recommend this book to people who love nature and poetry.
******
Propolis for a Fractured World
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon