Reviews

Lost in a Quatrain by Adiela Akoo

radicalrachelreads's review

5.0

I became lost in this beautiful book of poetry as the author examined the human experience over time, showcasing old traditions and new ways of life as she pulled from her own life and relationships. The exploration of the masks we often wear to appease others was intriguing. I found myself very surprised at the ending of “as the rain pitter-pattered” which fit absolutely perfectly with the theme of the poem - that things happen right under our noses as we simply go about living our lives. To me, the entire collection was a meditation on reverence and respect for our fellow humans, non-humans, and nature herself.
Some of my favorites include: “Cape Town 1990”, “Patiala vs The South-Easter”, “The New Apartheid”, “The Blue Head”, and “as the rain pitter-pattered”. I more than connected with “Hormonal”.

Thank you to Adiela Akoo for gifting me this intimate collection of her thoughts and feelings in poem form - it is stunning!

essau7's review

inspiring reflective

5.0

quilled_ink_press's review

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

 

First Poetry Runner-Up in the South African Independent Publisher Awards 2021, Lost in a Quatrain by Adiela Akoo is a very relatable, inspiring, and thought-provoking read on a journey to becoming, a journey of hope and healing. Written over an 18-year period, Lost in a Quatrain is a select collection of deep, must-read, soul-stirring poetry with each poem telling a story that pieces together the puzzle of this crazy, not always romantic, experience we call life.


REVIEWS:

"...I am so deeply touched by your gift and moved by many of your poems. You are a Tiger Butterfly and this grandma has often been sore! Wise words, deep thoughts, lovely images and through it all shines a loving and perceptive woman." 

DR MARGUERITE POLAND - Award-Winning Author of Shades, Sins of Omission, and others 

 

"... Adiela clearly loves playing with words that flow and dance upon the reader's tongue. Her skilful crafting includes depth, layering, tone, rhythm, vivid imagery and the presence of lived experience often provoking deeper thought. A very versatile poet whose poems linger long after you have read them." 

DR EDRIS KHAMISSA - International Motivational Speaker, Author, & Educator 

 

"One of the most beautiful poetry collections I've read this year was Lost in a Quatrain by South African author and poet Adiela Akoo." 

NADA ADEL SOBHI – Poet, Author, & former Editor-in-Chief of "The Muse", Cairo University 

 

"5 STARS: When you truly reflect on life, you come up with such creations. I like the way Adiela (Akoo) has weaved simple poetic stories out of the complex strings of life in which humans remain entangled. From social to soul exploration, all has been done and depicted neatly in this poetic beauty. As a poet, I especially relate to the poetry style that is made very understandable, yet churned out of an ocean’s depth." 

RUCHIKA PAHWA - Poet / Author