This is a beautiful book about navigating through a dark night of the soul and making it to the light. Jansen bridges his own experiences with spiritual teachings from different traditions, offering a holistic perspective on life’s challenges and how to carve out meaning from dynamic experiences.

‘Meditations at Midnight’ by Gary Jansen is a collection of reflective and contemplative poetry that delves into themes of spirituality, introspection, and the human condition. Despite its ambition, the collection may not resonate with every reader.

Themes: ★★★☆☆

The themes are rich and meaningful, focusing on deep spiritual and introspective topics. However, the delivery can come across as a bit pretentious, which might detract from the overall impact for some readers.

Imagery: ★★☆☆☆

While the imagery is present and crafted with care, it can feel distant and difficult to connect with. The poetic visuals may not resonate with everyone, which could hinder the reader's engagement with the poems.

Structure: ★★★☆☆

The collection is well-structured, with a thoughtful arrangement that guides the reader through the meditative journey. The structure provides a coherent flow, making it easy to follow the progression of themes and reflections.

Engagement: ★★☆☆☆

The engagement was lacking for me personally. The poems did not draw me in as much as I had hoped, and I found it challenging to stay immersed in the collection. This could be a subjective experience, and others might find it more captivating.

Readability: ★★★☆☆

The readability is decent, with clear language and a straightforward style. However, the depth of the themes and the sometimes pretentious tone can make it less accessible to a wider audience.

Enjoyment: ★★☆☆☆

Overall, I did not find the collection particularly enjoyable. It did not resonate with me on a personal level, though I acknowledge that others might find it moving and profound.


Gary Jansen's ‘Meditations at Midnight’ is a well-structured and thematically rich collection of poetry that may not connect with every reader. While the themes and structure are commendable, the imagery and overall engagement may fall short for some. It is a collection that will likely be appreciated by those who are drawn to deep spiritual reflection and contemplative poetry.

This book of poetry, short stories and musings by Gary Jansen will leave you pondering the mysteries of life as you dive into the twilight realm where life dances between the mundane and mystical. Savor this book by moonlight and then share it with your friends.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy. ( published March 2024)
Some beautiful images in the poetry, a capturing title and cover.
“moonlight pours through the olive trees”. “Time hangs still in pink sunlight”
The most memorable works: “Brush strokes “. and “Re-Brainer” ,”Follow the thread”, but overall this was not a book for me.
Typical of the Catholic faith the women’s appearances in the book: girl with her head leaning on a coffee stained cafe wall, an osteoporosis elder woman. The author redeems himself with a memory of his mind reading mom.
Good allusions to Biblical moments, but overall my impression is Jansen is the man who believes he is a magnet to misfits… madmen… I suspect he seeks them out. He believes his own hype.
This may be the book for you, for Catholics, but I am the friend who evicted him for his “silly comment.” (“Follow the Thread” )

The book was written well, but I didn't really connect with the poetry. Not exactly what I was expecting.

I requested a review copy of "Meditations at Midnight" based on the dark cover and the title. I hoped that it would be poetry on the dark, twisty, and scary side. It is!

I didn't know that the author had written a memoir about living in a haunted house.("Holy Ghosts: Or, How a (Not So) Good Catholic Boy Became a Believer in Things That Go Bump in the Night").. so when I settled in before bed to check out the poems, I was captures by a kindred writer trying to capture their experience of the unexplainable nature of hauntings.

I'm intrigued by the poetry and prose. His unique POV makes me want to more and to go back to read his memoir to see what happened to make him write haunted poetry good enough to make me squirm occasionally in discomfort. There are also some sweet stories that uplift. It is on the melancholy side for poetry but worth a read.

If you're a fan of ghosts & other things that go bump on the night, I suggest that you read this one. Maybe not at midnight though.

I received this complimentary book from #NetGalley to review. My review is my unbiased opinion meant to help readers decide if the book is right for them.

#MeditationsatMidnight #NetGalley
@GaryJansen27 @LoyolaPress

Beautiful, and a bit dark. Absolutely graceful, illustrious prose - I found my eyes catching on the imagery of a few specific lines:
("Moonlight pours through a web of olive trees" and "She is beautiful and guarded / and her laugh sparkles like glitter")

Definitely did not anticipate the religious nuances (or blatancy, for that matter) and found it elegant and tasteful. Having looked up the first chapter's name (Via Dolorosa) it should be glaringly obvious that there is religious aspect to these poems right at the 4th page - unfortunately I find myself pointedly inarticulate in Latin at the time of this review.

A quick but poignant read, yes I would recommend that you sit with this one for a bit.

The writing style was unique. It was an alright book for me. I think there would be a better suited audience for this book.

This was not for me. It was way too dark and I could not finish the book. This poetry was difficult to read and not what I was expecting.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Meditations at Midnight by Gary Jansen in exchange for an honest review. This book is full of deep, profound poems. It was a bit too dark for me and hit too close to home.

This was not an easy one for me but it had a few memorable lines. Quite a few metaphors too many. Some poems are much longer than others. The descriptiveness is present for you to feel. Some poems, few, were strong in the connection of feelings. People who enjoy the world of poetry can direct and enjoy these meditations.
I just reviewed Meditations at Midnight by Gary Jansen. #MeditationsatMidnight #NetGalley

Thoughtful, beautiful, graceful poetry and prose that sparks emotions and deep thinking about things we think about at night, life and love.

This collection of words easily portrayed emotions and I can appreciate that the writing was beautiful, raw, and genuine.

However, I agree with fellow reviewers that I was not expecting this to be based so much in religion, and I think having a mention of that in the summary would have been nice. I also fear that I am just not a deep enough thinker to understand these poems. I was overwhelmed with most of the poems trying to decipher what they mean.

I think there should have been a much bigger emphasis in the description of this book letting the readers know how deeply religiously focused this collection of poems was. I don’t read books pertaining to Christianity of my own volition, however I wasn’t expecting to walk into that so I finished the collect anyway. I did enjoy the prose for the most part and it was definitely a quick and short read!

The writing and prose of this did not capture me, it was hard to understand and follow through to gain an idea of what it was meant to be about. This one was just not for me.

This is a nice collection of poetry and a very quick read. Some of the poems are nice and others you will need to dwell on for a moment to know the meaning. I really don’t read any books based on religion and many of the poems were based around this. I do like the cover. I give the book at 3.5. Even with a lower rating, I would read these to my older students to see how they interpret the meanings of the poems and to teach them that everyone will read and view the text in their own way.

Thank you #netgalley for allowing me to read this nice little book

I quickly devoured this lovely collection…then immediately started over, highlighting the many phrases that spoke to me. A reader could thoroughly enjoy this, without much thought to the deeper meaning, simply because the language and imagery is so beautiful.

This book was written beautifully. The only thing that was hard for me was trying to fully grasp what was going on when the poems were so short. There could have been more detail added, however the book was enjoyable. :)

Gary Jansen writes like no other author I have read and while I found it interesting and thought provoking it wasn’t my cup of tea. From deep poems that truly made me think to the short vignettes that sort of lost me II did not realize there would be such a religious aspect to this book. For a certain reader this book will be inspiring. Thank you to #NetGalley and #MeditationsatMidnight for providing me with the ARC.

Meditations at Midnight by Gary Jansen is a captivating exploration of spirituality and self-discovery, delving into the profound moments that emerge in the stillness of night. Jansen weaves together personal anecdotes, mystical insights, and timeless wisdom to create a book that resonates deeply with seekers of inner peace.

At its core, Meditations at Midnight invites readers to embrace the quiet moments of darkness as opportunities for reflection and transformation. Jansen skillfully intertwines his own experiences with spiritual teachings from various traditions, offering a holistic perspective on navigating life's challenges and finding meaning in the midst of chaos.

What I found most compelling about this book is its authenticity. Jansen's writing is sincere and heartfelt, making it easy for readers to connect with his journey. Each chapter unfolds like a meditation, guiding us through themes of faith, doubt, solitude, and renewal. Whether you're a seasoned spiritual seeker or someone simply seeking solace in a hectic world, there's much to glean from the gentle wisdom within these pages.

Jansen's approach is accessible yet profound, making Meditations at Midnight a valuable companion for anyone seeking deeper spiritual insights. The book encourages us to embrace vulnerability and uncertainty, urging us to confront our fears and embrace the mysteries of existence.

Overall, Meditations at Midnight is a thought-provoking read that encourages us to find light in the darkest hours. It's a book that invites contemplation and offers practical wisdom for navigating life's challenges with grace and resilience. Highly recommended for those on a spiritual journey or anyone looking to deepen their connection to the divine.