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Carroll Blair is an author of more than twenty books in philosophy and poetry
and the recipient of numerous awards. His writings have been well endorsed
and commendably reviewed, as illustrated by the following commentary
from Midwest Book Review, which proclaimed, “The poetic expression of
Carroll Blair is both unique and compelling. Using word images like the
strokes of a painter’s brush, Blair creates a resonating recognition that
is the mark of a master poet.” Among his titles cited for distinction are
the poetry volumes Reel to Real, winner of the Pacific Book Awards,
Facing the Circle, winner of the Great Southwest Book Festival Awards,
Shifting Tides, winner of the Great Northwest Book Festival Awards,
and Quarter Notes, winner of the Sharp Writ Book Awards. He is an
alumnus of the Boston Conservatory and lives in Massachusetts.
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
"Reel to Real" is an excellent collection of contemporary poetry. It highlights the kind of poetry that is the favorite of all poetry publishers. The abstract images leave the reader to interpret every poem his/her own way. The collection is divided into two sections, but the entire book is dedicated to 'Fatemeh'. The author captures the reader's attention with excellent wordplay and some wonderful imagery. Certain poems have deviated from the usual formatting to make them more effective. The different kind of formatting of certain poems has also added to their visual appeal. There are a few very short poems. Though very short, some of them have a philosophical feel to them and all of them are very profound, especially the poem 'The Longest Marriage' where the poet conveys something very philosophical and rational in just three lines. All poems give you a different meaning each time you read them which tells you how skillful and adept the writer is in handling themes. A lighter poem with humor is 'A List of Things to Do When You're Bored'. It shows the poet's lighter side too and how comfortable he is when writing lighter poems.
The poet has also handled minimalism very well. The minimalist poetry in 'The New Age' and 'Nursing a Cold to Its Demise' is also very effective. Many poems are very colorful and they read as if the poet has taken a brush and painted the scene. The impressions and the poet's observations on life and his surroundings form the essence of his poetry.
