Member Reviews

Sonnets for a Missing Key: And Some Others is a a collections of poems that plays with both musical mode and language. Much like the artwork that marks each page, they follow a path of their own that one can follow, but with some surprises on that journey.

Percival Everett is better known for his novels, including this year's James: A Novel, but has also released several volumes of poetry joined by this one.

Recommended to those interested in Percival Everett or poetry.

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Although I read poetry daily, this was not for me. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy. It is beautifully laid out. The cover unique but sonnets? Just because a poem is 14 lines is that a sonnet? I am not a purist but when is a form a form?
Maybe my lack of musical background also interfered, but he is no Art Tatum of poetry. Some lines as other suggested resonate but again a few lines are not enough to label it a 5 star the book.

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I have only read prose from Everett so I can’t say anything about poetry that might have come before. I really liked this. Poetry that follows a structure, a pattern, or as is the case here the way music is constructed, has always appealed to me. This is by no means a warm or particularly inviting book. But the reader the stays with it will be rewarded with poetic compositions that somehow evoke music and stays all their own at the same time

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Well, these poems are very different. Free, expressionist, more like jazz than the Chopin Preludes they reference. Each of the sonnets is designated by a key–E b, B minor, D Major, etc.

Some lines grabbed me.

“Time still hunts us, does it not?”

“…the truth is but a series of contingent statements.”

“We project deities onto the night sky, drawings of mammals in the stars, sketches of crabs, of scorpions because they scare us.”

Several poems stood out. B Minor with a child’s drawing and the poet insisting there was an elephant in the scribble-scrabble, not really seeing it but wanting to see it.

Like most poetry, this collection isn’t something to whiz through. Pick it up and read it little by little, opening yourself up without expectations, not needing to command it, just allow yourself to be led where it takes you.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

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A great little collection of poems. I had to read it twice (which is not difficult due to its size) to get what Everett was doing here. I'm a huge fan of Percival Everett's. His novels are all so unique -compared to other novels and within his own bibliography - so I was curious about this poetry. I feel I'll likely read and re-read this one a number of times as I'm certain I missed more in my first two readings than I actually 'got'.

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4.5 Stars

A lovely collection of sonnets, of brief glimpses into a moment, first words and last ones, of life, and music, shared as if they are with the coming and going of tides. Of creatures that roam the forests, of rhythm and dancers, music. Of moments that are calm, of memories, of times throughout history, countries and governments. Of finding comparisons between what is and what it might resemble, of time, of death, of truth, of last breaths and sorrow. Of solace. Of peace. Of Life.


Pub Date: 20 Aug 2024


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Red Hen Press

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This might be your first Everett.
This might be your first sonnet book.
This might be your first poetry book (probably not).
I highly recommend this book due to Everett’s mastery of words and themes.
First of all, I normalise not fully understanding, grasping a piece of art/fiction, and still enjoying the thoughts, feelings, emotions, sensations it leaves you with.
Second of all, especially the first part (the part before the section called ‘Other Modes’) is dealing with themes of loss, missing and they will speak to readers easily.

I am not qualified to assess the structure of the sonnets and the references to Chopin’s preludes, but Everett is one of my favourite writers and one of the reasons why is his way of creating rhythms and his playing with words. If someone told me that I’d be spending a couple of hours of my 2024 summer reading a new Everett, I would have told them that they’re giving me a couple of dream hours. And so it was.
I am planning to do readings on sonnets and the Preludes and read this book, especially the second part again. Even without the Chopin layer, I enjoyed the interlink between the keys and these sonnets.

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Percival Everett's Sonnets for a Missing Key is a masterful collection that defies conventional poetic structures while delving deeply into themes of loss, identity, and the relentless search for meaning. Known for his versatility and intellectual rigor, Everett brings a refreshing and thought-provoking approach to the sonnet form in this unique and compelling work.

Structure and Style

Everett's sonnets are not confined by the traditional 14-line structure. Instead, he uses the sonnet form as a canvas to experiment with language and form. This innovative approach allows for a more flexible and dynamic exploration of his themes. The poems are rich with intertextual references, blending classical and contemporary allusions seamlessly. His command over language is evident in the way he plays with words, creating layers of meaning that invite readers to engage with the text on multiple levels.

Themes and Motifs

At its core, Sonnets for a Missing Key is a meditation on absence and the human condition. The titular "missing key" serves as a metaphor for various forms of loss—emotional, spiritual, and existential. Everett explores the idea of searching for something elusive, whether it be understanding, closure, or a sense of self. The recurring motifs of doors, locks, and keys are employed with precision, symbolizing barriers and the potential for unlocking hidden truths.

One of the standout aspects of this collection is Everett's ability to intertwine personal and universal experiences. His sonnets capture moments of introspection and vulnerability, resonating with readers on an emotional level. The poems also reflect on broader social and cultural issues, offering poignant commentary on the human experience.

Highlights

Several sonnets in this collection stand out for their lyrical beauty and emotional depth. One particularly moving piece is "Sonnet for the Absent," which poignantly captures the longing and emptiness that accompanies loss. Everett's use of imagery is striking, evoking a sense of both despair and hope.

Another highlight is "Sonnet of the Search," where Everett's wordplay and rhythmic flow create a mesmerizing effect. The poem's exploration of the journey towards self-discovery is both profound and relatable, making it a standout piece in the collection.

Conclusion

Sonnets for a Missing Key is a testament to Percival Everett's prowess as a poet and his ability to push the boundaries of literary form. This collection is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant work that will linger in the minds of readers long after they have turned the final page. Everett's innovative approach to the sonnet form, combined with his exploration of timeless themes, makes this book a must-read for poetry enthusiasts and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the human experience.

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The first half of this collection was more accessible, therefore better to me than the second. I struggled to follow many of the pieces in the latter section of the book. I am a new reader of this author and while I wasn't blown away, I'd read Everett again based on this collection's poignant moments.

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This collection was not for me. I don't think I have read enough sonnets to know if this was good or not, so if you are a sonnet reader/expert please take my review with a grain of salt. As a casual poetry reader I know I struggled to understand these sonnets. However, its is a fast read that you can finish pretty quickly.

Side note: The text formatting in the ARC was off, sometimes it was hard to know when a sonnet began and ended.

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Words to music, sonnets to preludes, highs and lows, humour to despair, time and memory, love and loss, life and death, the stars and the sea - the song of life!

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The description of this book of sonnets by Percival Everett really caught my attention. Nothing like humorous poetry to make reading poetry more enjoyable.

My first Percival Everett book was James which I absolutely loved. When I saw this book of sonnets I was excited to give it a read, and it does not disappoint. This is not Shakespeare’s sonnet writing, folks. Ok maybe it’s a little Shakespearean, he meant many to be a bit comedic, right?

I have to know if those eggy fountains are a reference to the Springs in Saratoga Springs, NY 🤔 although I need to work on my sonnet reading cadence, this was a read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I don't read much poetry, so I can't judge that specific aspect here. I'll only speak of my personal experience with the book. First of all, I only picked it up because I was already planning to start reading Percival Everett as his books seem right up my alley. Some poems hit really hard, but others I found a little forgettable, and some are hard to grasp. But I'm still looking forward to read the author's novels. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

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Percival Everett's writing is just so enjoyable. I think it's witty, smart and it takes you on a ride. When I read something by Everett, I know it will be unlike any other story or book. I don't read a ton of poems, so I can't speak to the structure of these sonnets, but I can tell you this collection is creative, moving and it will take you on a ride!

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for my review.

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I find it very difficult to assign poetry a star rating, but I found parts of this quite moving and other parts didn’t hit me much at all. So it goes, I suppose, but I found the central organizing principle an entertaining excuse to dive into the Chopin and I think there are sonnets here I’ll return to frequently. I think that’s all I could ask.

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I thought this was a nice little collection of poetry. It was very lyrical in nature, and I found it easy to stay engaged. I think it’s a very beginner friendly collection - full of depth but not overly showy or complicated. I do wish the collection had been a bit longer, especially since sonnets are short poems to begin with. Overall, I think this is a good option for folks looking for a quick read, people who are new to formal poetry, or those who like sonnets and lyrical poems.

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★★★★

This was my first time reading any of Everett’s works, so I didn’t know what exactly to expect, but now I know to keep my eye on this writer!

Everett is a genius when it comes to using language and form to conjure lovely sound and interesting meaning. He is skilled at creating juxtaposed ideas and images in so few words. I had fun reading these sonnets, repeating each several times in my head and aloud, fascinated at how expertly-crafted they were.

My favorite sonnets:
Bb Major
Eb Minor
Ab Major
C# Minor
B Major
E Major
C Minor

I wasn’t so much a fan of the latter half of the book. Whether that was because it took me out of my reading flow from the first half— I enjoyed this work so much I read it in one sitting!— or because I truly couldn’t comprehend a lot of meaning, I’m not sure. I did, however, enjoy Everett’s use of vivid, wacky imagery and repetition. This made this section feel surreal and overall moody.

Additional comment: I was a bit distracted by the background design on the pages. I think a lower opacity would help. Otherwise, I find it intriguing!

Thank you Red Hen Press and Net Galley for the e-ARC! This title will be available August 20, 2024.

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Super interesting poetry collection, but I do feel like some of it went over my head. I think I need to be careful with poetry collections!

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I couldn't quite find the right rhythm on this one. This can totally be an issue with myself so don't allow that to keep you from giving this a chance.
I didn't end up being a big fan, but couldn't quite place why.

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This collection of sonnets is creative with excellent rhythm and diction, and the poems made me think about form. I look forward to reading more by the author.

Thank you NetGalley and Red Hen Press for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

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