My Sunday Book Review is for Elizabeth Gauffreau’s beautiful picture and poetry in memoir- Grief Songs – Poems of Love and Remembrance. The author generously sent me a paperback copy of this beautiful poetic memoir. Inscribed in handwritten words at the front page, Liz writes: “I hope Grief Songs will resonate with you. Living with grief is a very hard road to travel, as you know all too well.”Thank you Liz.
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Blurb:
“Poetry readers willing to walk the road of grief and family connections will find Grief Songs: Poems of Love & Remembrance a psychological treasure trove. It’s a very accessible poetic tribute that brings with it something to hold onto–the memories and foundations of past family joys, large and small.”
~Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review
“Grief Songs: Poems of Love & Remembrance is a passionate ode to loved ones lost and an intimate portrayal of one family’s shared grief. It holds the key to solace in home photographs and illustrates just how special our singular moments can be. ~Toni Woodruff, Independent Book Review
“A beautiful, personal collection of family photos and poems that express the author’s most inner feelings. Nostalgic and heartfelt, Gauffreau’s poems are written in the Japanese style of tanka, simple, thoughtful, and full of love. Filled with wonderful memories of the past.” ~Kristi Elizabeth, Manhattan Book Review
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My 5 Star Review:
The author brings us this heartfelt little book of poetic memoirs inspired by snippets of her life with poignant memories wrapped up in poetic telling, accompanied by nostalgic photo imagery. The theme throughout the poems and photos is love, loss and remembrance, shared in vignettes.
This is a short book that packs a punch of life through the pages. A lovely tribute to Gauffreau’s lost loved ones, mother, father, brother, expressed through Tanka poetry. Stories you can read over again and again, leaving us to conjure our own nostalgia about people from our own past lives, depicting moments in time through snapshots of life.
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One of the author’s heartfelt Tanka’s in remembrance of her brother George:
For a Crooked Smile (accompanied by a photo of smiling brother George)
oh, that crooked smile
he was my little brother
teller of tall tales
he smiled for me one last time
around the tube in his throat
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©DGKaye2023
Thanks, Debby. A beautiful review and a very moving poem. I am sure Elizabeth’s book is a gem and it will resonate with lots of readers.
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Hi Olga. Thanks for dropping by and leaving your good wishes for Liz ❤
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Thank you, Olga.
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Hi Debby, what a wonderful review of Liz’s book. I also enjoyed it very much.
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Hi Robbie. Thanks for letting us know you too enjoyed. ❤
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Thank you, Robbie, for adding your recommendation.
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A very poignant poem. Unfortunately grief will affect us all at some point in our lives. x
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That is the truth Stevie. xx
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Yet knowing that doesn’t soften the inevitable blows when they come.
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Thanks for your thoughts on this collection Debby. I found it very poignant and loved it too. ♥
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Hi Sal. Thanks for letting us know you also enjoyed. ❤ xx
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♥
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Thank you, Sally.
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I also loved this little book. I agree, it is one you can read over and over.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts here too about the book Darlene. ❤
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Fantastic review, Debby! That poem you shared pulled at my heart. It has so much sadness wrapped in those words. Thanks for sharing!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Thanks Yvette. Yes, Liz knows how to use poetry and so few words to convey so much. ❤
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Thank you, Yvette. I will never forget George’s face that day.
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A terrific review, Debby. Congratulations to Liz.
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Thanks so much John. 🙂
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😊
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Thank you, John.
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You are welcome, Liz.
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What a wonderful 5 star review of Liz’s beautiful book DebbY⭐️
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Thanks so much Cindy. ❤
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It’s a pleasure! 🥰
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❤
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Thank you, Cindy.
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Congratulations to Liz on another great review. She has always impressed me as a model of consistency in terms of the way we treat our fellow bloggers.
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HI Pete. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Liz here. I agree. 🙂
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Thank you, Pete.
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A fantastic review of Liz’s book, Debby – it sounds so moving. Toni x
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Thanks Toni. Moving it is. ❤
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Thank you, Toni.
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There are so many great poems in this book. Excellent review, Debby.
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Thanks so much Jacqui ❤
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Thank you, Jacqui.
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I really enjoyed this book, Debby. So personal to Liz and her family, and yet grief is universal and I could relate personally to her poems. The one about her brother brought sudden tears to my eyes all over again. This is a beautiful collection of poems and memories that I highly recommend. Thanks for sharing your review, and congrats to Liz. ❤ ❤
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Thanks so much Diana for sharing your take on this book. Sorry for the tear, but like you, Liz’s words touched me the same. ❤ xx
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❤
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Thank you very much, Diana. It was my hope in publishing the book that it would prompt fond memories of readers’ own loved ones.
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You were successful! ❤
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❤
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Thank you, Diana!
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I savored the poems and reflections in Grief Songs. Liz is an extraordinary writer and human being. Thank you for sharing your beautiful review, Debby. Congratulations, Liz, on another great recognition of your collection. ❤️
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Thanks for visiting Gwen and leaving your affirmation for Liz’s book. ❤
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Thank you so much, Gwen!
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I love your review, Debby. I also recently read and enjoyed this beautiful little book of poetry and poignant moments. A big congratulations to Liz!
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Thanks so much Jan, and for sharing you also enjoyed.<3
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Thank you so much for your lovely review of Grief Songs, Debby. It means a lot to me.
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It was a heartfelt pleasure to read Liz. Thank you for my copy. ❤
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You’re welcome, Debby.
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😉
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A beautiful review with a very sorrowful poem about her brother George. Probably someone else on here has or will say this, but sorrow is such a personal feeling that can be felt and shared by others who can picture the moment.
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Beautifully said Danny. Thank you so much 🙂
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Thank you, Danny.
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The last line of the poem about Liz’s brother really catches you.
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It most certainly does! 😦
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Thank you, Janet.
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Liz’s book resonated with me too. I read the book and then reviewed it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4268315688
Liz shines in more than one genre. Thanks, Debby, for featuring her this Sunday! 😀
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Thanks Marian, and for sharing your review too. 🙂 x
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Thank You, Marian.
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I loved Liz’s book, Debby. Thanks for sharing your beautiful review. The poems were moving, and I also liked how she included family photos. I just reviewed it too on my latest post:
https://baydreamerwrites.com/2023/05/08/book-reviews-praiseworthy-poetry-compelling-crime-and-mesmerizing-memoir/
❤️
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Thanks for adding your thoughts too Lauren ❤
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❤️❤️
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❤ xx
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I’m thrilled with your review, Lauren, thank you!
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That’s great to hear, Liz. I always want to do justice to the author and book. And you’re welcome! So many of your poems resonated with me. 💞
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🙂
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Thank you for adding your recommendation, Lauren.
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You’re very welcome, Liz, and I hope you’re happy with my review. ❤️
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A wonderful review! Congratulations, Liz. And, of course, I love seeing women supporting women 💗💗💗
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Thanks so much Christy. And yes you do. ❤ xx
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Thank you, Christy!
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Hi Debby what a wonderful review for Liz. Well done. 🙂
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Hi Marje. Thanks for stopping by and letting us know. ❤
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My pleasure Debby. x
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❤
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