Book Review - Kristin Kory – Hungry For Ghosts

Blurb:

Kristin Kory's debut collection of poetry explores themes of love, loss and the art of navigating pain in a way that reminds us of our humanity and reaches for the ethereal. Her words are equal parts inspiring, empowering, and haunting. This compelling collection delves deep into the realms of love and heartbreak and draws the reader closer to healing, self-love, and growth.

Hungry For Ghosts speaks to the hidden sorrow in all of us; this book serves as a reminder that even on the darkest days, we can find light in the darkness, and perhaps we are all part of something slightly greater than ourselves.

Strengths:

First of all, thanks to Mira @ Blackbird Press for sending a preview copy of this book to review which is out on 29 July 2022 which I was very honoured to read.

The book itself is perhaps best summed by a quote from Kirstin herself which found on a quote website “And when they ask, tell them I left myself like the lonely souls do; hungry for ghosts, with a heart still full of you”

This is a book who aches with heart – for example the opening piece “I still weep for the wreckage, I confess’ where you have extracts such as:

‘I am half here, half there

half alive, half dead

by the time I notice it’s gone.

I am busy chasing ghosts

when it slips quietly out the door.

I am teetering between

reality and dream.

I am mourning bones’.

Yeah, this is not a book which is a bundle of laughs that is for sure but it is beautifully presented and the publisher has done a great job laying out the book so it is easy to read and beautifully presented so the writers words are clear to read and be taken away in her journey.

My favourite piece in the book is ‘I don’t want to be a sad Ghost’ which struck me on first readings as a bit of an unusual piece as I don’t recall reading stories about happy ghosts (excluding some children’s cartoons) but the second reading of this piece is critical as it began to give me a feel for the book which I won’t say anything else about it apart from simply go and read for yourselves as it is one of those books which I don’t think is obvious straight away.

Weaknessess:

Poetry is often a subjective mood and I think is perhaps best dipped in and out of a shorter book personally I think has a better impact.

I have read at least two books by the Poet Amanda Lovelace which I think does remain me of in places and I think is perhaps aimed at the American market more than the British market and therefore is not for everybody.

This does not mean of course this is a poor book which is far from the case but the impact is reduced in places with pieces like ‘We are not strangers’ and ‘The Girl with Cactus Eyes’ simply don’t hit the mark for me as they are too short and to be honest border on inconsequential owning to this briefness. 

I’ve done several books which focus on shorter poetry and it is a tricky style to master, and while pieces like ‘Return’ hit just as hard, not all as successful and considering the book is 161 pages, to be honest a few of these could be

Considering the book has 161 pages, it could certainly afford to drop some of these pieces but like I said with poetry it is a subjective really but with this book on the whole, it is a strong debut collection and is worth worth your time checking out.

8/10