Review of The Invisible Backpack

[Diana Lowery]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Invisible Backpack" by William L Hartwick.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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William L. Hartwick, author of The Invisible Backpack, introduced me to a new literary term, rhythmical writing. His technique uses short, rhymed pieces to chronicle his experiences. Subtitled A Life of Courage, this memoir guides anyone struggling to overcome and survive any difficulty.

Hartwick, now a teacher, wasn't diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome until he was an adult, and he suffered years of bullying and abuse as a child because of his condition. Learning to forgive and forget became his goal. The title of his book refers to the experience of carrying around the burden of past grievances. He explains through his poems how to replace those burdens with lighter parcels of hope and happiness,

The honest, simple tone of the writing gets the point across without complicated sentence structures and pretentious vocabulary. Most of the short, one-page poems consist of couplets. There are a few longer poems that cover two or three pages. This format is ideal for a daily inspirational reading allowing time to meditate on each anecdote and its message.

My favorite poem is "Teacher." As a teacher myself, I can relate to this particular poem. Hartwick is talking to himself and recalling what helped him on his healing journey.

At times, the meter is off and the syllable count creates an annoying jolt in the cadence. Also, some of the poems contain forced and near rhymes. These negatives, however, are easy to overlook because of the emotions expressed.

What can't be overlooked are the errors caused by a lack of careful editing. Even though I allowed for poetic license, there were enough errors in the edition I read to deduct a star, resulting in a score of four out of five.

I recommend this book to anyone trying to gain enough self-confidence to quit worrying about what others think. This quote from Hartwick's poem "Expressions" summarizes his goal:
If people don't like it
I guess that's too bad
I have to live for myself
And what makes me glad.

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The Invisible Backpack
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Amy Luman]

I am usually not a fan of poetry since it is hard for me to understand, but this seems to be easier to understand. The differing rhythms in some of the verses would be jarring for me because I tend to get in a pattern of reading and this would disrupt it. Thanks!

[MOHAMED BD]

Diana Lowery. Never knew you were a teacher. And kind of know most of your reviews from teachers's perspectives. I read some of your reviews. Poems are very important, makes you poetic and expressive. Such a good review.

[Diana Lowery]

I am usually not a fan of poetry since it is hard for me to understand, but this seems to be easier to understand. The differing rhythms in some of the verses would be jarring for me because I tend to get in a pattern of reading and this would disrupt it. Thanks!

Thank you, Amy, I appreciate your comments.

[Diana Lowery]

Diana Lowery. Never knew you were a teacher. And kind of know most of your reviews from teachers's perspectives. I read some of your reviews. Poems are very important, makes you poetic and expressive. Such a good review.

Thank you. These poems were important for this author. It appears to have been cathartic for him.

[Gerry Steen]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Invisible Backpack" by William L Hartwick.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Share This Review

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William L. Hartwick, author of The Invisible Backpack, introduced me to a new literary term, rhythmical writing. His technique uses short, rhymed pieces to chronicle his experiences. Subtitled A Life of Courage, this memoir guides anyone struggling to overcome and survive any difficulty.

Hartwick, now a teacher, wasn't diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome until he was an adult, and he suffered years of bullying and abuse as a child because of his condition. Learning to forgive and forget became his goal. The title of his book refers to the experience of carrying around the burden of past grievances. He explains through his poems how to replace those burdens with lighter parcels of hope and happiness,

The honest, simple tone of the writing gets the point across without complicated sentence structures and pretentious vocabulary. Most of the short, one-page poems consist of couplets. There are a few longer poems that cover two or three pages. This format is ideal for a daily inspirational reading allowing time to meditate on each anecdote and its message.

My favorite poem is "Teacher." As a teacher myself, I can relate to this particular poem. Hartwick is talking to himself and recalling what helped him on his healing journey.

At times, the meter is off and the syllable count creates an annoying jolt in the cadence. Also, some of the poems contain forced and near rhymes. These negatives, however, are easy to overlook because of the emotions expressed.

What can't be overlooked are the errors caused by a lack of careful editing. Even though I allowed for poetic license, there were enough errors in the edition I read to deduct a star, resulting in a score of four out of five.

I recommend this book to anyone trying to gain enough self-confidence to quit worrying about what others think. This quote from Hartwick's poem "Expressions" summarizes his goal:
If people don't like it
I guess that's too bad
I have to live for myself
And what makes me glad.

******
The Invisible Backpack
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

This sounds like a memoir that is filled with inspirational, easy-to-read poems. I like that you mentioned that a poem could be read and meditated on to add inspiration to one's day. I want to receive the "lighter parcels of hope and happiness" you alluded to. I am adding this book to my bookshelves. Thank you.

[Diana Lowery]

Thank you @Gerry Steen for your comment.

[Liam Patel]

Hey there, this review of William L. Hartwick's memoir, "The Invisible Backpack," highlights the author's unique use of rhythmical writing to convey his life experiences. The book delves into his struggles with Tourette's syndrome and the bullying he faced as a child. Through his poems, Hartwick shares his journey of forgiveness and finding happiness. The reviewer appreciates the honest and simple tone of the writing, though they note some flaws in the meter and rhyming. They also mention editing errors that slightly impacted their overall rating. Despite that, they give the book a solid four out of five stars. If you're seeking inspiration and confidence, this memoir seems like a good read. Unforgettable moments, etched in my memory.

[Mercy Ndungu 9]

The Invisible Backpack sounds like a deeply personal and inspiring read. Hartwick’s approach to using rhythmical writing to address such profound themes is fascinating. It’s great that the book resonated with you.