Amidst the Chilling Storm


Poetry - Inspirational
574 Pages
Reviewed on 03/14/2023
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite

Amidst the Chilling Storm, at 246 pages, is one of the longest poetry books I have come across in many years of enjoying the art. The subject matter of the verses is manifold, ranging from the personal heartbreak of “Tears That We Hide” to an assessment of “Zen”, but the arrangement of them is divertingly simple. They occur in alphabetical order. Together, the collection comprises freestyle, rhyme, and occasionally a clever mixture of both. Neither does Mr. Karan shy away from using deliberately complicated language: indeed, made-up words. “Retaliatory Ruthlessness” contains such phrases as “waftly frogmarching hyperbolic” amongst others. Illustrations, sketches drawn in bold black lines, appear intermittently throughout. Amidst the Chilling Storm by Frank Karan is a book for lovers of poetry to treasure.

I was intrigued by the first poem, “Abyss Atlas” and totally hooked when I reached “Amidst the Chilling Storm”. I absolutely loved the illustrations, but it was only on the second reading that I stopped to study and truly appreciate them. Frank Karan’s poetry drew me on until I reached the end. Do I know the man behind the verses? Perhaps – perhaps not. He’s questioning, often cynically right, religious… He must be to have written “Peace on Earth” which ends with the prayer for peace to “reign n‘stay”. I like him for his gift of poetry to a thoughtless, often unkind, world. Amidst the Chilling Storm by Frank Karan is a book that deserves a place in everyone’s heart, and is safe on their bedside cabinet. Buy a second copy for the coffee table.

Edith Wairimu

Exploring diverse themes, Amidst the Chilling Storm by Frank Karan is a splendid poetry collection that examines modernity, war, peace, love, grief, yearning, and more. Some poems, such as the poem “Aphorisms” which lauds open-mindedness, contentment, and diligence, offer practical advice for navigating everyday life. Other poems are encouraging such as the poem “The Power to Succeed” which highlights the value of a positive mind when seeking success. Soul-stirring love poems are also included. In the poem “Heartaching,” the narrator longs to be united with his lover. Different elements of nature feature in the poems such as in the poem “Amidst the Chilling Storm” where the narrator prays for safety and shelter from a violent storm. Other poems celebrate friendships, others transport one back to the past while others explore the depth of human emotion.

In Amidst the Chilling Storm, Frank Karan skillfully adds distinct details to describe and capture the meanings of each poem. Simple and captivating drawings incorporated into the collection, further emphasize the themes in the poems. It also invites contemplation through its clever use of rhetorical questions. Its excellent examination of common human experiences and feelings makes the collection relatable. Since the poems are of different styles and portray different themes, I was excited while turning each page, wondering what the next poem held. I enjoyed the variety and found some poems playful, others gripping, and many contain useful messages. Amidst the Chilling Storm by Frank Karan is an inventive poetry collection with wide-ranging poems that fans of poetry will love.

Manik Chaturmutha

Amidst the Chilling Storm by Frank Karan is a collection of beautiful poems in the form of an anthology. The themes of each poem have been inspired by the author's father's childhood and his mother's elegant simplicity. The themes covered are dynamic, and the poems have been crafted based on the personal values of the poet. This book comprises race, death, climate depletion, war, and heartbreak to modern lifestyle, love, intimacy, wedding, and life lessons.

I liked the writing style, which showcases the sharpness and poignance of the author. Simple yet impactful illustrations adorn several pages and add more depth and meaning to the words. The emphasis of the writing on everyday crises of nature, climate, and nuclear wars exhibits the writer's consciousness regarding these issues. It generates a general awareness among the readers. The titles have been very cleverly picked, and there are a lot of ironies involved in them, like 'Be sound without a sound', 'Animate your mate', etc. Each stanza rhymes well and has a lyrical flow. The medicinal benefits of natural elements like sage, peppermint, and cypress enhance the knowledge of an average reader.

The poem 'Aphormisms' stood out the most to me as all life's crucial lessons are contained within this short title. Certain words like 'scintling', 'terricolous', etc., will not be easy for readers to understand. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the author's play on words in the form of this collection. I highly recommend Amidst the Chilling Storm by Frank Karan to anyone interested in poetry with some challenging wittiness. This title makes for a satisfying and comforting reading experience.

Pikasho Deka

Treat yourself to a diverse collection of beautifully crafted poems with Frank Karan's Amidst the Chilling Storm. Through his sharp and poignant verses, Karan offers some unique insights into a wide array of topics, each of which plays a vital role in the journey we call life. From the pain that surrounds us all to the seemingly insignificant mundanity of life to humanity's eternal pursuit of happiness, every aspect of life is covered in these verses penned throughout the years. The titular poem alludes to the passion and the rage buried deep inside man's heart that gives him the courage and fortitude against the tyranny of evil and the fury of the gods. If you're a poetry lover, do not miss this one.

The words and stanzas inspire and take the human mind to places that only exist in our dreams. But you have to be a true master of your craft to achieve that. Frank Karan does just that with Amidst the Chilling Storm. This is a collection that delves into the deepest desires, secrets, and conflicts of the human heart. Incorporating multiple styles, including experimenting with non-rhythmic stanzas and their structural organization, Karan's poetic storytelling pulls at your heartstrings and leaves you contemplating long after you've finished reading the poems. I enjoyed each and every single one of them, but "Everyone Regrets Something" and "Faith in Life" were two of my personal favorites. An inspired collection that I will highly recommend.

Vincent Dublado

Frank Karan’s Amidst the Chiling Storm has an enticing book cover that you would mistake for a thrilling young adult adventure. In a way, it is. It is a collection of poetry, one of which, the title, is inspired by the author’s father, who told tales of his early life as a shepherd boy. The collection also contains a poem called Beauty Rises Above the Weeds, inspired by the poet’s mother. As you read through each poem, you will notice that these verses are the accumulation of developed skill in expression, a tangible sensibility in evoking details of what has been perceived by the senses. It strikes the right balance between what is poignant and what is sharp--a collection of memories and observations distilled in the purity of well-worded verses.

Karan has a good ear for rhyme and cadence, as evidenced by his play with every component of his verses. Moreover, everything that strikes his fancy is fair game. One time he writes about the feeling of longing on Honeymoon, and then he writes about a mighty big coward police officer in Howard the Coward. But what his poems have in common is the delicacy and sensitivity of striking home to remind you of existence and reality. It is always a pleasure to discover consummate poets and their impressive work. The delight in engaging with the poetry in Amidst the Chilling Storm is enhanced by Karan’s focus on a variety of themes. They pull readers into an exploration of figurative interpretations through lyrical language. Poetry lovers will find this book an absolute delight and a journey into creative expression.