Reflecting to a 'Reflection'
(A book review)
Is it a dense feeling evolved from inner heart? Or should we call it Sophie's curiosity to know herself and the world as in the novel 'Sophie's World' penned by Jostein Gardner? An anthology of poems 'Reflection' by a young poet, Samata Shrestha is, in my opinion, a unique and thoughtful reflection of young life. Written in 2010, it is also a great dissatisfaction against materialistic world and crooked politicians, exploring the facts that are prevalent in this so-called modern era. She is an inhabitant of Kathmandu valley, so densely populated and urbanized; therefore, she hasn't been facing crammed impediments of a country. However, her visualization to them is extreme since her whole collection advocates for truth, honesty, reflection of one's own nature, love, kindness, and rightful revolution.
It's amazing to find the flow and spontaneity of her powerful feelings throughout her fifty-one poems at this tender age of fifteen. A young vibrant writer initiates from 'Reflection' and asks us to see the reflection to unleash our power and know ourselves, and winds up through her gripping poem 'Absolve me" maintaining her pains and shortcomings requesting us to absolve her. A wonderful collection indeed! At a first glance to reflection, the lines 'Peer inside your heart, Feel the impression of art!, Close your eyes and vanish in your globe to relax from material and gold' makes us so much contemplative. When we come across the topic 'So What' and read some lines 'I can bunk the classes , I can punch the faces, I rule the world, I am the new generation', it shows the revolt against the archaic nature and stereotype culture via young generation. It shows she hasn't left any room to refrain from explosion of feelings which are the outcomes of realities.
Some poems like 'Materialistic World', 'Love Hurts', 'Catastrophe', 'Poverty', 'True Politician' deal the realities in depth and there comes some anguish of a poet. Likewise, a poet sometimes bursts in anger and sometimes cools in a serene ambience created by herself. In fact, this is the main reason why I believe this collection is brilliant and excellently written. Although the poems are short enough, they succeed to make us thoughtful after every going. Kudos to the young poet! The reader may be stuck in their jammed feelings that erupt at once within them.
You may reflect yourself through 'Reflection' as it is full of dense emotions. You may remain emotional and think immediately her creativity and craftiness; it is due to her critical thinking. Moreover, 'Reflection' is not what I call an 'easy-read'. It is contemplative enough.
Nevertheless, I persevered and, all in all, I can highly recommend 'Reflection'. I challenge you to remain unmoved after reading this exceptional book.
Reviewer
Sagun Shrestha
English Faculty at GEMS, Dhapakhel, Lalitpur (lower secondary block)
Permanent address: Bhimeshower municipality-2 , Dolakha
Work : Reflection
Author : Samata Shrestha
Genre : Poetry
Publisher : Media Park Weekly
Pages : 51
Price : 100
The best book review of "Reflection" so far. Thank you so much sir. It is really an encouraging article.
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