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Rise
RISE is a collection of poetry, prose, and photography that explores the themes of love, loss, betrayal, redemption, and triumphing over those who try to pull you down.
- GenresPoetry
212 pages, Paperback
Published August 16, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 26, 2017
Rise by Neal Sehgal is an anthology of personal poems. It is a collection of Rhymes that emerged from the author's soul.
Personally, I don’t get poems, but Neal Sehgal’s beautiful book helped me understand a little bit better what’s poetry all about.
Maybe is the combination of the written word and the amazing artistically strategically situated photographs. A picture is a thousand words anyway.
Some of the poems rhyme some don’t. There is no particular form. This is the author's first collection, and I am sure that future works will be equally or even better in quality.
The poet address issues like falling in love, caring for someone, being hurt by your better half, denial, and bargaining phases are also depicted in some of the poems.
I sensed an undertone of loss possibly a failed love relationship the writer had.
Lot’s of spiritual and philosophical poems describing rhetorical questions to issues that bothered the author at different time periods and unique mindsets.
I think I spotted a couple of poems that address animal; cruelty and Veganism.
The book in its entirety is very optimistic which I liked. It gave the sense of hope, a sense of never giving up and also how to be able to follow your heart and allowing yourself to thrive physically, emotionally, psychologically and mentally. I am sure the author wrote this book actually to RISE our spirits and hearts and to show us a better version of the life we are already in.
Another thing that I found very interesting is that the poems do not have titles or logical order. You can start reading backward and still receive the same information even if you read it from the start.
About ten poems into the book and I started titling the poems. I didn’t want to do it it just happened. I don’t know if the author wanted that, or it was the intent, but it was a calming feeling, almost medication type of thing.
I continued doing that until I find the book. After I finished the book, I went back and titled the first ten poems that I skipped at the beginning.
Anyway, that made me feel that I helped the author write his poems, it means even that I don’t get poetry this time I managed to connect with the author's wordings and also go away with s bit of magical poetry in me.
Another item I noticed and I think has a hidden symbolism that the author did not use capital letters after periods and also the word I is always written with a small letter as i. Maybe it’s the artist’s way if showing that we must be humble with ourselves first to be able to see the truth of our thoughts and actions.
I highly recommend this book. It will make you feel good about yourself and will also rub in you an optimistic view of the world we live in.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Personally, I don’t get poems, but Neal Sehgal’s beautiful book helped me understand a little bit better what’s poetry all about.
Maybe is the combination of the written word and the amazing artistically strategically situated photographs. A picture is a thousand words anyway.
Some of the poems rhyme some don’t. There is no particular form. This is the author's first collection, and I am sure that future works will be equally or even better in quality.
The poet address issues like falling in love, caring for someone, being hurt by your better half, denial, and bargaining phases are also depicted in some of the poems.
I sensed an undertone of loss possibly a failed love relationship the writer had.
Lot’s of spiritual and philosophical poems describing rhetorical questions to issues that bothered the author at different time periods and unique mindsets.
I think I spotted a couple of poems that address animal; cruelty and Veganism.
The book in its entirety is very optimistic which I liked. It gave the sense of hope, a sense of never giving up and also how to be able to follow your heart and allowing yourself to thrive physically, emotionally, psychologically and mentally. I am sure the author wrote this book actually to RISE our spirits and hearts and to show us a better version of the life we are already in.
Another thing that I found very interesting is that the poems do not have titles or logical order. You can start reading backward and still receive the same information even if you read it from the start.
About ten poems into the book and I started titling the poems. I didn’t want to do it it just happened. I don’t know if the author wanted that, or it was the intent, but it was a calming feeling, almost medication type of thing.
I continued doing that until I find the book. After I finished the book, I went back and titled the first ten poems that I skipped at the beginning.
Anyway, that made me feel that I helped the author write his poems, it means even that I don’t get poetry this time I managed to connect with the author's wordings and also go away with s bit of magical poetry in me.
Another item I noticed and I think has a hidden symbolism that the author did not use capital letters after periods and also the word I is always written with a small letter as i. Maybe it’s the artist’s way if showing that we must be humble with ourselves first to be able to see the truth of our thoughts and actions.
I highly recommend this book. It will make you feel good about yourself and will also rub in you an optimistic view of the world we live in.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2017
Unusual works are always tricky to rate, so as always, do not let my star count override your judgement of content. More on the stars, counting, and my rating challenges later. Let me give you a feel for Sehgal’s work. We have 139 poems here.
First, like e.e.cummings, Sehgal does not title his poems and never uses capitals. Like cummings, Sehgal makes this style effective for the reader, but with his own voice.
Besides the poetry, there are interesting black&white images. I’ll content myself with reviewing the written work. But these images are well chosen, not too large but still clear and interesting.
Sehgal uses occasional words and phrases that will reward Google searches. If you’re not sure, look it up. Even the reference to Mayan inebriation.
Turn to the poem ‘sometimes’ for a gentle experience. For a love poem with rhymes, turn to ‘the beach’s breeze brought to me’, which begins thus: “the beach’s breeze brought to me /hints from the brush of her hair. /and when i breathed her in, /i forever forgot the taste of air.”
Spoiler alert: this is the entire poem ‘on nights’, which includes a fine metaphor: “on nights /when love is pondered, /i spill ink /across the palimpsest /and each time your name appears /from the plash.” I admit to doing two google searches, just to be certain here.
For philosophy, turn to ‘when you have nothing left to give.’ For a sad poem, turn to ‘it could have been as simple as, “goodbye.” For encouragement, turn to ‘there is always a way.’
Again in ‘have no jealousy’ we find this gem: “inside all hearts, /there plays the drama of a silent tragedy–” and the poem’s ending will surprise you.
For whimsy and social commentary, turn to ‘tilt’. For an experience of difficulty and its resolution, turn to ‘there is meaning in the melancholy’ which ends with a sad reassurance.
I hope to have given you an appreciation for what Sehgal has to offer. Now for the star count boilerplate. My personal guidelines, when doing any review, are as follows: five stars means, roughly equal to best in genre. Rarely given. Four stars means, extremely good. Three stars means, definitely recommendable. I am a tough reviewer. I try hard to be consistent. Sehgal is a strong poet, and four stars feel s right to this reviewer. Your personal rating may well be higher.
First, like e.e.cummings, Sehgal does not title his poems and never uses capitals. Like cummings, Sehgal makes this style effective for the reader, but with his own voice.
Besides the poetry, there are interesting black&white images. I’ll content myself with reviewing the written work. But these images are well chosen, not too large but still clear and interesting.
Sehgal uses occasional words and phrases that will reward Google searches. If you’re not sure, look it up. Even the reference to Mayan inebriation.
Turn to the poem ‘sometimes’ for a gentle experience. For a love poem with rhymes, turn to ‘the beach’s breeze brought to me’, which begins thus: “the beach’s breeze brought to me /hints from the brush of her hair. /and when i breathed her in, /i forever forgot the taste of air.”
Spoiler alert: this is the entire poem ‘on nights’, which includes a fine metaphor: “on nights /when love is pondered, /i spill ink /across the palimpsest /and each time your name appears /from the plash.” I admit to doing two google searches, just to be certain here.
For philosophy, turn to ‘when you have nothing left to give.’ For a sad poem, turn to ‘it could have been as simple as, “goodbye.” For encouragement, turn to ‘there is always a way.’
Again in ‘have no jealousy’ we find this gem: “inside all hearts, /there plays the drama of a silent tragedy–” and the poem’s ending will surprise you.
For whimsy and social commentary, turn to ‘tilt’. For an experience of difficulty and its resolution, turn to ‘there is meaning in the melancholy’ which ends with a sad reassurance.
I hope to have given you an appreciation for what Sehgal has to offer. Now for the star count boilerplate. My personal guidelines, when doing any review, are as follows: five stars means, roughly equal to best in genre. Rarely given. Four stars means, extremely good. Three stars means, definitely recommendable. I am a tough reviewer. I try hard to be consistent. Sehgal is a strong poet, and four stars feel s right to this reviewer. Your personal rating may well be higher.
October 25, 2017
Neal’s poetry gives off a vibe of scripture for me, or at least the kind of scripture that is positive and that most people-loving-people can get behind. I love the combination of rhyming and non-rhyming poetry. The poems that rhyme have this wonderful old energy to them, they remind me of Byron. I’m not a fan of most rhyming poetry, it must be classically on par with the greats, and I honestly feel that it competes well with them.
I very much enjoyed the structure of the poems, there was a multitude of assorted poetry formations, which I like to think speaks on the mood of the writer themselves. I could be wrong, could be that the writer used different forms simply as an aesthetic addition to the book, but, either way I think it gels well throughout.
Peppered right through the collection are words that I have never seen before. New words always excite me. I don’t feel that the unfamiliar words detract from what I’m reading at all. In fact, the unknown words only enhance the reading experience by adding another distinctive layer of depth and mystery that I have always found myself gravitating to as a reader and a writer in general.
The photographs that were taken by the author are just as effective as the words within this book, they will be sure to evoke and affect the readers who come across them. I would recommend this book for anyone that loves poetry and anyone who appreciates words that leave you feeling something authentic and personal.
I very much enjoyed the structure of the poems, there was a multitude of assorted poetry formations, which I like to think speaks on the mood of the writer themselves. I could be wrong, could be that the writer used different forms simply as an aesthetic addition to the book, but, either way I think it gels well throughout.
Peppered right through the collection are words that I have never seen before. New words always excite me. I don’t feel that the unfamiliar words detract from what I’m reading at all. In fact, the unknown words only enhance the reading experience by adding another distinctive layer of depth and mystery that I have always found myself gravitating to as a reader and a writer in general.
The photographs that were taken by the author are just as effective as the words within this book, they will be sure to evoke and affect the readers who come across them. I would recommend this book for anyone that loves poetry and anyone who appreciates words that leave you feeling something authentic and personal.
October 3, 2017
For many of us, the cacophony of everyday life leaves little room for thoughtful introspection. Fortunately, Mr. Sehgal is there to contemplate and guide readers through his exploration of various themes many of us would only glimpse at in the briefest of epiphanies. Musings on respect for nature, a strive to overcome what holds us down, a belief that a better self is possible are all shown to us in both words and imagery.
The recurring theme- the unifying allegory of this work- is rising above one’s circumstances into the skies of enlightenment. If you wish to be inspired to rise as well, I recommend this book.
The recurring theme- the unifying allegory of this work- is rising above one’s circumstances into the skies of enlightenment. If you wish to be inspired to rise as well, I recommend this book.
August 7, 2017
I was provided with a free copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Sehgal's poetry spoke to me. I know it sounds cliche, but it's true. I started dog-earing pages of the poems that resonated in my soul. I then went back and marked them with sticky notes, using colors to signify importance. After I finished the book, I put it on my "favorites" bookshelf so I could easily find it when I wanted to revisit those poems. This is the first poetry book on that shelf, which is already overflowing.
Sehgal's poetry spoke to me. I know it sounds cliche, but it's true. I started dog-earing pages of the poems that resonated in my soul. I then went back and marked them with sticky notes, using colors to signify importance. After I finished the book, I put it on my "favorites" bookshelf so I could easily find it when I wanted to revisit those poems. This is the first poetry book on that shelf, which is already overflowing.
September 1, 2017
Reading this book just enveloped me in such a way that the author knew what was going on in my mind. Thought provoking and very entertaining, my mind was opened, the different poems set my mind in different avenues which is hard to describe. Closest description if I can be so bold is like a very fast comedian at a very entertaining comedy show but in poetry form. Neal Sehgal has taken my thoughts to a new level as if I've known him for years and years. Thank you sir for taking me on this journey of knowledge.
August 25, 2017
It was so good that I bought multiple copies for friends. The author is farsighted, deep thinker, spiritual and has complex thoughts. After a long time I have read a book which is so refreshing, clean, deep and makes you think, inspires you. Sehgal has a very distinctive and unique style of writing. A visual delight among its other amazing attributes.
I loved this book, its a good book to relax and rejuvinate your energy.
I loved this book, its a good book to relax and rejuvinate your energy.
September 7, 2017
**I received this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.**
I am just beginning to read poetry (I mean other people's poetry), and I feel it's hit or miss. A lot of the poems in this volume actually really resonated with me, and I enjoyed them. Some, I just didn't quite connect with. And that's okay. All in all I really enjoyed having the opportunity to read Mr. Seghal's book, and recommend it most highly. :)
I am just beginning to read poetry (I mean other people's poetry), and I feel it's hit or miss. A lot of the poems in this volume actually really resonated with me, and I enjoyed them. Some, I just didn't quite connect with. And that's okay. All in all I really enjoyed having the opportunity to read Mr. Seghal's book, and recommend it most highly. :)
October 8, 2017
Rise is a poetic masterpiece about love and life. This book will inspire your heart to love and live life with freedom. Its writing style contains short verses mixed with longer pieces that all have a multitude of layers of meaning to them. This beautiful book has photographs that relates to the verses and makes the reader find a deeper meaning of the words. For those who are in love, in pain, or who enjoy poetry; they should definitely get this book.
August 25, 2017
This is an exceptional read. If you are looking for inspiration for art, creativity, life, love, and appreciation you will find it through this book. The photographs and words are beautifully orchestrated and it will nourish your soul and mind. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for insight in art and life in general. Well done!
September 20, 2017
This book of poetry and photography was very thought-provoking, and the photos that went along with them were gorgeous. To understand what some of the poems mean, one has to go deeper within themselves. This is definitely not like other books I’ve read. It goes into so much depth, while other books only scratch the surface. All in all, this book takes you through an incredible journey.
November 1, 2017
I loved the concept of this book, but many times I felt as though the poetry was overly dramatic with its use of diction and content. It was a lovely book, and I'd love to see more poetry books set up as this one was. Another nice, quick read perfect for contemporary poetry that offers something different (photography) than its competition.
December 9, 2017
**3.5**
I really enjoyed this read! It didn't stick out to me as much as some other poetry collections have, but there were a lot of poems that stood out to me in this one. I also really like that he used "old-fashioned" rhyming in his poems; I feel like we don't see a lot of that anymore. Good read!
I really enjoyed this read! It didn't stick out to me as much as some other poetry collections have, but there were a lot of poems that stood out to me in this one. I also really like that he used "old-fashioned" rhyming in his poems; I feel like we don't see a lot of that anymore. Good read!
August 25, 2017
The images fit nicely with the words. It delves into universal subjects and themes with wise simplicity and sometimes with fascinating complexity. It offers daily meditations for the reflective reader, and is worth reading a second time - if not a third. This is real poetry at its finest.
September 10, 2017
Rise is full of wondrous poems. Some of these poems are short, and some of them are long.
This book inspired me to write poems of my own. There are great pictures that go with the poems too. An all around captivating and inspiring reading experience.
This book inspired me to write poems of my own. There are great pictures that go with the poems too. An all around captivating and inspiring reading experience.
May 5, 2017
Big words
It was okay just a little hard to follow, I didn't want to look up all these words along the way.
It was okay just a little hard to follow, I didn't want to look up all these words along the way.
December 30, 2017
I had a hard time getting interested in this book.
March 29, 2017
What a beautifully profound collection of poems which speak to the heart and soul. Excellent reading here.
If you're looking for a poetic book which speaks to your mind and soul, this is one such book. Very much worth reading again for that mental and spiritual boost.
Rise is very aptly named, it could've been a longer read though.
If you're looking for a poetic book which speaks to your mind and soul, this is one such book. Very much worth reading again for that mental and spiritual boost.
Rise is very aptly named, it could've been a longer read though.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews