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Painting over the cracks
Painting Over the Cracks is novelist Sophie Buchaillard's poetry debut. Inspired by her life and a series of workshops she ran with survivors of abuse, this collection explores the relationship between unspoken shame and fraying family ties, and the healing power of expression, friendship, and community in overcoming trauma. Split into four chronological sections, the collection travels from the anxieties of a single mother to memories of buried traumas that lurk in corners of the mind, colouring every interaction to articulating the unspoken, strong from new friendships and rediscovered communities.
64 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 4, 2025
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Painting Over The Cracks' by Sophie Buchaillard.
What a beautiful little book filled with powerful, poignant, emotive and engaging poems.
I must admit that I am not really a big lover of poetry, I don't have anything against it but it just isn't my typical choice of genre. However, I was intrigued by the eye catching cover and the synopsis so I decided to give this book of poems a try and I am very pleased that I did. What particularly caught my eye in the synopsis is where is states that one of the sections of of poems is the collection travels from the anxieties of a single Mother. As a Mum myself I always enjoy reading the work of other Mother's so I was intrigued in this section in particular. If you are not typically a poetry fan then do not be put off and expand your genres today! I can promise that you will not regret it. As previously mentioned this book of poems is split into four sections. The first is titled 'Nuclear Family', it contains 11 poems and it was this one I was particularly interested in. The second section is called 'Remembrance' and contains 11 poems also. The third section is titled 'To Words We Can Finally Speak' which contains 8 poems and the final is titled 'To Seeing The Other' and also contains 8 poems. As with all books of poems it is highly unlikely that you will like or resonate with them all but on the other hand it is likely that you are likely to enjoy and connect with some so give it a go and see which poems you like best! This book contains (if I counted correctly) 38 poems with some being only 2/3a few sentences long with some spanning over 2/3 pages. The poems all discuss grief, loss, connections, emotions, love, pain, buried trauma, anxieties, shame, sadness, family and more and are all beautifully written. As I previously mentioned it is rare that you will enjoy them all. My personal favourites are 'Because Being A Mother Is' as it resonated with me, 'News Flash' for its powerful truth, 'Wales' as it just had to be with me being Welsh and 'If I Were A Place' which i thought was beautiful. This truly is a brilliant collection of beautifully written, emotion packed and intriguing poems that I am certain I will be referencing back to in the future. Again, mentioning the fact that poetry is subjective to the author and reader if you look at the reviews left so far I was intrigued to see how different readers connected with and favoured different poems to each other which really does go to show that each reader will find their own personal favourites. This truly is a masterful, beautiful and engaging book of poetry that I would highly recommend to anyone and everyone regardless of what stage or emotional place you are in life. Pick up your copy today and find your favourite poem/s. I would love to see which you've loved so please come back and comment to let me know! As with all books of poems and/or short stories this book is perfect to pick up and read a poem that connects with you at the time or to devour in one sitting. I read a physical paperback copy which is just 64 pages long and the kindle edition that is just 78 pages long and devoured it in an hour. I also found myself discussing several with my partner who isn't really a reader let alone a fan of poetry and he enjoyed several too. This is also Sophie's poetry debut and I must say that considering this is just her first book of poetry, of many I hope, she has done a wonderful job and I am looking forward to reading more books be her whether poetry, fiction or factual.
Congratulations Sophie Buchaillard on a beautiful, emotive and fascinating collection of poems.
Overall a collection of powerful thought provoking poems filled with emotions. A gorgeous must read.
#PaintingOverTheCracks #SophieBuchaillard #LucentDreaming #RandomThingsTours #RandomTTours
@SophieBuchaillard @LucentDreaming @RandomThingsTours @RandomTTours
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Review for 'Painting Over The Cracks' by Sophie Buchaillard.
What a beautiful little book filled with powerful, poignant, emotive and engaging poems.
I must admit that I am not really a big lover of poetry, I don't have anything against it but it just isn't my typical choice of genre. However, I was intrigued by the eye catching cover and the synopsis so I decided to give this book of poems a try and I am very pleased that I did. What particularly caught my eye in the synopsis is where is states that one of the sections of of poems is the collection travels from the anxieties of a single Mother. As a Mum myself I always enjoy reading the work of other Mother's so I was intrigued in this section in particular. If you are not typically a poetry fan then do not be put off and expand your genres today! I can promise that you will not regret it. As previously mentioned this book of poems is split into four sections. The first is titled 'Nuclear Family', it contains 11 poems and it was this one I was particularly interested in. The second section is called 'Remembrance' and contains 11 poems also. The third section is titled 'To Words We Can Finally Speak' which contains 8 poems and the final is titled 'To Seeing The Other' and also contains 8 poems. As with all books of poems it is highly unlikely that you will like or resonate with them all but on the other hand it is likely that you are likely to enjoy and connect with some so give it a go and see which poems you like best! This book contains (if I counted correctly) 38 poems with some being only 2/3a few sentences long with some spanning over 2/3 pages. The poems all discuss grief, loss, connections, emotions, love, pain, buried trauma, anxieties, shame, sadness, family and more and are all beautifully written. As I previously mentioned it is rare that you will enjoy them all. My personal favourites are 'Because Being A Mother Is' as it resonated with me, 'News Flash' for its powerful truth, 'Wales' as it just had to be with me being Welsh and 'If I Were A Place' which i thought was beautiful. This truly is a brilliant collection of beautifully written, emotion packed and intriguing poems that I am certain I will be referencing back to in the future. Again, mentioning the fact that poetry is subjective to the author and reader if you look at the reviews left so far I was intrigued to see how different readers connected with and favoured different poems to each other which really does go to show that each reader will find their own personal favourites. This truly is a masterful, beautiful and engaging book of poetry that I would highly recommend to anyone and everyone regardless of what stage or emotional place you are in life. Pick up your copy today and find your favourite poem/s. I would love to see which you've loved so please come back and comment to let me know! As with all books of poems and/or short stories this book is perfect to pick up and read a poem that connects with you at the time or to devour in one sitting. I read a physical paperback copy which is just 64 pages long and the kindle edition that is just 78 pages long and devoured it in an hour. I also found myself discussing several with my partner who isn't really a reader let alone a fan of poetry and he enjoyed several too. This is also Sophie's poetry debut and I must say that considering this is just her first book of poetry, of many I hope, she has done a wonderful job and I am looking forward to reading more books be her whether poetry, fiction or factual.
Congratulations Sophie Buchaillard on a beautiful, emotive and fascinating collection of poems.
Overall a collection of powerful thought provoking poems filled with emotions. A gorgeous must read.
#PaintingOverTheCracks #SophieBuchaillard #LucentDreaming #RandomThingsTours #RandomTTours
@SophieBuchaillard @LucentDreaming @RandomThingsTours @RandomTTours
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.facebook.com/GoldenOldies...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/a...
December 2, 2025
An emotional poetry debut by the author of the equally beautiful Assimilation, Painting over the Cracks by Sophie Buchaillard is built around topics like migration, ´translated lives´, survival, healing and loss.
It is a short collection but I´ve read most of the poems at least twice, trying to delve into the atmosphere and ideas of the poetry. Most probably will re-read some of the poems again soon, as I still need to figure out some relevant details and correspondences, especially of the colours and other elements that reminded me of the Symbolism literary mainstream.
Many of the poems were inspired by the author´s work with survivors of abuse, hence the emotional weight of some of the works, but there is also the light, that may emerge from the cracks, once the weight is shifted towards community and solidarity.
Poetry is so much suited for such topics, particularly as an alternative to a fictional or non-fictional narrative, as it can better create deep emotional connections.
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of a book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
It is a short collection but I´ve read most of the poems at least twice, trying to delve into the atmosphere and ideas of the poetry. Most probably will re-read some of the poems again soon, as I still need to figure out some relevant details and correspondences, especially of the colours and other elements that reminded me of the Symbolism literary mainstream.
Many of the poems were inspired by the author´s work with survivors of abuse, hence the emotional weight of some of the works, but there is also the light, that may emerge from the cracks, once the weight is shifted towards community and solidarity.
Poetry is so much suited for such topics, particularly as an alternative to a fictional or non-fictional narrative, as it can better create deep emotional connections.
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of a book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
December 1, 2025
I am in a wee poetry moment and this book, the moment I read the blurb, was an absolute must for me. I am a survivor of a*use and when I saw that this poetic masterpiece was reaching out and sharing stories and exploring the realms of what it is like in the moment and every moment after, I had to read it and feel every word, so I could believe it is not only me who has been left shattered like this, and maybe see that some have found ways to get completely past it all.
I wanted to know how other felt their traumas, what it was like to them and wondered if the way the felt it was the same as me, and how or if their healing had begun.
This book looks at all parts of those who have dealt with any of this and brings us closer together so we can know we are not alone, so we can feel the connection and see the hope. I loved it.
I wanted to know how other felt their traumas, what it was like to them and wondered if the way the felt it was the same as me, and how or if their healing had begun.
This book looks at all parts of those who have dealt with any of this and brings us closer together so we can know we are not alone, so we can feel the connection and see the hope. I loved it.
November 2, 2025
It’s rare to read poetry that is so deeply engaging on so many subjects. The intensely personal and the heartfelt political intertwine in these intellectually challenging yet satisfying poems. Strangely enough, amidst the traumas, griefs and abuses that inhabit this book, it is the lightness of touch and even humour that’s most noticeable. The poems are sparse, modern and elegant even though they work though anger, loss and displacement. That they finally arrive at happiness, in Wales of all places, is achieved in an almost magical way. It seems weird to write that but once you’ve read the book you’ll know what I mean.
November 26, 2025
This is an extraordinarily powerful and poignant collection of poetry. I was moved by many of the poems and re-read several of them, taking my time to digest the words. I really enjoyed the different shapes, lengths and styles, each poem unique, but all with deep meaning. There is a rawness, a reality and for some, a relatability to these words by the author, her pain exposed. I loved the cover, the shining gold lines over the cracks reminding me of the Japanese art of Kintsugi. A repair of the breaks but still visible. I highly recommend this book.
November 6, 2025
These poems are inspired by the author’s life and workshops that she has run over the years.
It was beautiful to see words flowing with so much meaning.
The poems cover many topics, such as grief and friendship.
Emotional poetry that made me stop and think, they touched me. There were also a few poems that brought tears to my eyes.
Healing, Trust and News Flash are all poems that will stay with me.
It was beautiful to see words flowing with so much meaning.
The poems cover many topics, such as grief and friendship.
Emotional poetry that made me stop and think, they touched me. There were also a few poems that brought tears to my eyes.
Healing, Trust and News Flash are all poems that will stay with me.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews