{"id":1432,"date":"2024-12-24T20:48:19","date_gmt":"2024-12-24T20:48:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=1432"},"modified":"2024-12-24T20:48:19","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T20:48:19","slug":"review-behind-the-ghost-metropolis-by-annette-dabrowska","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=1432","title":{"rendered":"Review: Behind the Ghost Metropolis by Annette Dabrowska"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/div>\n

Synopsis:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fans of Sylvia Plath, \u201c<\/span>The Flower That Went Mad\u201d and Charles Bukowski will find pieces of themselves in this edgy debut poetry collection.<\/span><\/p>\n

I look right through the light
it fills me with courage and strength
to fight against my demons
I\u2019m not alone anymore
I slowly stand up<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Behind the Ghost Metropolis<\/span>\u00a0dives into the shadows of the mind\u2014mental health, trauma, loneliness\u2014but it also finds light in hope, travel, and resilience. Written during Annette\u2019s manic and depressive episodes, these poems are raw and deeply personal, reflecting her struggle with bipolar disorder and her fight to rise above the odds.<\/p>\n

She wrote these poems to break the stigma around mental illness and to remind anyone feeling lost or defeated that there is always hope. This book is for those who\u2019ve been knocked down, dragged through darkness, and still seek their own hidden light.<\/p>\n

When writing, Annette draws inspiration from some of the greatest poetic minds in American and Polish contemporary poetry \u2013 Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Beatniks, Charles Bukowski, Edward Stachura, and Rafa\u0142 Wojaczek.<\/p>\n

Just like her favorite poets, she often finds herself in different dimensions of cruel whispers, far from the dreamland. But that\u2019s the price she pays for her creations, and she keeps writing because of this artistic force inside her heart and mind.<\/p>\n

Favorite Lines:<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I do with all short story and poetry collections, rather than picking out specific lines, I would like to highlight a few of the poems that resonated the most with me:\u00a0 Youth, Wild Horses, Illusion, 43. ***, 45. ***<\/p>\n

My Opinion:<\/strong><\/p>\n

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange from my honest opinion.<\/p>\n

I would like to put a trigger warning as this collection does deal with complex subject matters such as mental health and trauma and may not be suitable for everyone.<\/p>\n

I have always been a big fan of poetry but it is not often that I get a request to review a collection on Likely Story<\/em> so I knew I had to jump at the chance especially when reading that Dabrowska draws inspiration from many poets including Charles Bukowski; who I adore.<\/p>\n

Annette Dabrowska\u2019s debut poetry collection, Behind the Ghost Metropolis<\/em>, is an evocative exploration of the human condition that dives deeply into themes of mental health, trauma, resilience, and hope. This raw and intimate collection balances a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of darkness with moments of light and healing, creating a vivid emotional journey that resonates on a deeply personal level.<\/p>\n

Dabrowska\u2019s prose is striking in its simplicity and power. With language that is both unflinching and tender, she captures the turmoil of inner battles and the fragile yet indomitable strength of the human spirit. Each poem feels like a window into the poet\u2019s soul, offering readers a sense of shared experience and connection. Her ability to weave universal emotions into such personal reflections is what makes this collection truly remarkable.<\/p>\n

The book is a masterclass in balancing vulnerability with empowerment. Poems reflecting on loss, despair, and loneliness are interwoven with moments of courage, self-discovery, and the search for freedom. Dabrowska\u2019s imagery strikes a chord that lingers long after the final page.<\/p>\n

One of the collection\u2019s greatest strengths is its accessibility. Dabrowska doesn\u2019t rely on ornate language or obscure references to convey her emotions. Instead, she uses plain yet poignant language that cuts straight to the heart, making these poems feel like personal confessions shared in trust. This openness invites readers to find pieces of themselves within the lines, creating a deeply immersive experience.<\/p>\n

The shorter poems in particular stand out, delivering bursts of raw emotion that are both intense and immediate. At the same time, the collection\u2019s longer pieces delve into the complexities of human resilience, showing that even in moments of despair, there is always a glimmer of hope to be found.<\/p>\n

Behind the Ghost Metropolis<\/em> is a testament to the power of poetry to heal, connect, and inspire. It\u2019s a collection that reminds us that we are never truly alone, even in our darkest moments, and that strength can be found in embracing vulnerability. Whether you\u2019re a seasoned poetry lover or new to the genre, this collection offers a deeply moving and unforgettable experience.<\/p>\n

Summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Overall, I would highly recommend this collection of poems for anyone seeking a raw and relatable exploration of the human spirit. Dabrowska\u2019s voice is a powerful addition to contemporary poetry, and her debut is sure to leave a lasting impact.<\/p>\n

Check out\u00a0Beyond the Ghost Metropolis<\/em><\/a> here!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Synopsis: Fans of Sylvia Plath, \u201cThe Flower That Went Mad\u201d and Charles Bukowski will find pieces of themselves in this edgy debut poetry collection. I look right through the lightit fills me with courage and strengthto fight against my demonsI\u2019m not alone anymoreI slowly stand up Behind the Ghost Metropolis\u00a0dives into the shadows of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":1433,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1432"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1432"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1432\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1433"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}