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The Cynic in Extremis
Poetry. Finalist for the 2017 Able Muse Book Award. Eclectic characters in everyday scenarios populate Jacob M. Appel's The Cynic in Extremis. We attend a sister's second wedding with a "hand-me-down groom"; trick-or-treat with a young son; encounter a former teacher long retired, still critical; relive difficult ancestral memories of the Holocaust. Full of fun, wit and insight, these poems present--often unapologetically--uncomfortable truths gleaned from close examination of social norms and conventions mostly taken for granted.
- GenresPoetry
78 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2018
61 people want to read
About the author
Jacob M. Appel
35 books1,592 followers**Please note: A limited number of complimentary electronic copies of several of my books are available for review. Please email me directly if you are interested**
Jacob M. Appel's first novel, The Man Who Wouldn't Stand Up, won the Dundee International Book Award in 2012. His short story collection, Scouting for the Reaper, won the 2012 Hudson Prize. He has published short fiction in more than two hundred literary journals including Agni, Conjunctions, Gettysburg Review, Southwest Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, and West Branch. His work has been short listed for the O. Henry Award (2001), Best American Short Stories (2007, 2008), Best American Essays (2011, 2012), and received "special mention" for the Pushcart Prize in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2013.
Jacob holds a B.A. and an M.A. from Brown University, an M.A. and an M.Phil. from Columbia University, an M.S. in bioethics from the Alden March Bioethics Institute of Albany Medical College, an M.D. from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, an M.F.A. in creative writing from New York University, an M.F.A. in playwriting from Queens College, an M.P.H. from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He currently practices psychiatry in New York City.
Jacob M. Appel's first novel, The Man Who Wouldn't Stand Up, won the Dundee International Book Award in 2012. His short story collection, Scouting for the Reaper, won the 2012 Hudson Prize. He has published short fiction in more than two hundred literary journals including Agni, Conjunctions, Gettysburg Review, Southwest Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, and West Branch. His work has been short listed for the O. Henry Award (2001), Best American Short Stories (2007, 2008), Best American Essays (2011, 2012), and received "special mention" for the Pushcart Prize in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2013.
Jacob holds a B.A. and an M.A. from Brown University, an M.A. and an M.Phil. from Columbia University, an M.S. in bioethics from the Alden March Bioethics Institute of Albany Medical College, an M.D. from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, an M.F.A. in creative writing from New York University, an M.F.A. in playwriting from Queens College, an M.P.H. from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He currently practices psychiatry in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 29, 2018
Wow! This is an amazing collection of poetry that focuses on the impact of people on themselves and each other. Appel beautifully portrays simple to horrific situations with grace and detail, allowing the reader to relate to the character in each poem. It combines notes of T.S. Eliot and Edgar Lee Masters in certain ways, bringing to life individuals, their pain, their fears, and their regrets. If you're looking for a lot of the feel-good poetry that is out there today, then this definitely isn't the book you want, but if you want something that will slap you in the face with the human experience, this will definitely satisfy. I can't wait to read more by Appel and am definitely hoping for another collection of poetry to be released.
January 8, 2020
I wasn't expecting to cry today, but I did. Only two times before have I ever cried while reading a book and never while reading poetry, except for now. It amazes me how much power printed words can have over our emotions. The poem that elicited this reaction was, Concurrences. Somehow this poem reasonnated with me on an inner level which has never happened before. Five stars Jacob M. Appel!
Besides Concurrences, my favorite stories were: First Crush, Trick-or-Treating in Suburbia, Escheatment, and 1939; I give a nod for the humor in Jury Duty, Flying With Clarity and Assembling the Exercycle.
Love the cover! That dog is so very cute!
A special thanks to LibraryThing's member's giveaway for this book and the opportunity to read and review it.
Besides Concurrences, my favorite stories were: First Crush, Trick-or-Treating in Suburbia, Escheatment, and 1939; I give a nod for the humor in Jury Duty, Flying With Clarity and Assembling the Exercycle.
Love the cover! That dog is so very cute!
A special thanks to LibraryThing's member's giveaway for this book and the opportunity to read and review it.
February 16, 2020
Every now and then, I will read some lines of poetry that stir me to the very core. This was just such a case. The cover, while totally adorable, did not prepare me for what was tucked beneath it. This is reminiscent of many of my favorite poets who manage to probe deep into what we call the 'human condition.' It is dark but not brooding. Conversely, it resonated with me because I feel that we all have a degree of nostalgia hidden within us that I was able to relive through these words. There is also a certain amount of sarcastic wit involved, and that made me appreciate it all the more.
December 30, 2018
Enjoyable poetry with a definitive sense of place and person. And that cover is just adorable.
June 13, 2019
Wow...poetry for the new millennium. This was an ARC I received from LibraryThing.
Free verse and reminiscent of the greats: Robert Hayden, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, etc. This poetry is filled with hard, concrete sensory details, cynicism coupled with a hope for hope. Childhood memories, school memories, first loves, current world events...it has it all. I was blown away.
My favorites, the ones that spoke to me?
1) Summer Camp Socials
2) Infidelity
3) Trick or Treating in Suburbia (wow!!!)
4) Comedy for the New Millenium
5) Caveat
Free verse and reminiscent of the greats: Robert Hayden, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, etc. This poetry is filled with hard, concrete sensory details, cynicism coupled with a hope for hope. Childhood memories, school memories, first loves, current world events...it has it all. I was blown away.
My favorites, the ones that spoke to me?
1) Summer Camp Socials
2) Infidelity
3) Trick or Treating in Suburbia (wow!!!)
4) Comedy for the New Millenium
5) Caveat
August 7, 2019
The Cynic in Extremis from Jacob M Appel is a wonderful collection of poems that reward rereading and pondering.
These poems, some almost like small character sketches, initially settle next to you as you read them, then they burrow into your heart and your mind. You may not love these people, you may not even like them, but you will feel something toward them. And you will find yourself understanding them better than you probably are comfortable admitting. You will also think about the poems, or how they made you feel, or even what they reminded you of, well after you have put the book down.
In one sense these are straightforward poems, even readers who don't read a lot of poetry won't have an issue with following each one. The impact is in the subtle nuance of meaning within each poem. Like his short stories, these poems speak to the reader in a way that is both familiar and unusual. Familiar in that they seem like plain old every day things, unusual in that we perceive these scenes on a deeper level than we usually do daily occurrences.
These poems, some almost like small character sketches, initially settle next to you as you read them, then they burrow into your heart and your mind. You may not love these people, you may not even like them, but you will feel something toward them. And you will find yourself understanding them better than you probably are comfortable admitting. You will also think about the poems, or how they made you feel, or even what they reminded you of, well after you have put the book down.
In one sense these are straightforward poems, even readers who don't read a lot of poetry won't have an issue with following each one. The impact is in the subtle nuance of meaning within each poem. Like his short stories, these poems speak to the reader in a way that is both familiar and unusual. Familiar in that they seem like plain old every day things, unusual in that we perceive these scenes on a deeper level than we usually do daily occurrences.
September 30, 2021
Disclaimer: I received this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.
This is a beautifully written book of poetry that must be read slowly, so that each and every line can not only be absorbed, but savored.
I experienced a wide range of emotions while reading this - from laughter to tears and back again.
Highly recommended!
This is a beautifully written book of poetry that must be read slowly, so that each and every line can not only be absorbed, but savored.
I experienced a wide range of emotions while reading this - from laughter to tears and back again.
Highly recommended!
February 2, 2019
Many thanks to author, as I recieved this book as part of a giveaway on another website. This is an honest review.
Although I am not usually a poetry fan, this book appears to be an exception. Appel manages to capture the reader and express emotions in short powerful stanzas.
I would highly recommend this book.
Although I am not usually a poetry fan, this book appears to be an exception. Appel manages to capture the reader and express emotions in short powerful stanzas.
I would highly recommend this book.
October 16, 2019
I,ve read the short stories, I’ve read one of his novels, but this was my first experience with Mr. Appel’s poetry. I am now a fan of yet another literary medium he uses to express his thoughts. Jacob M. Appel is a master of the written word, reading his works is always fascinating.
This collection of poems does get quite dark at times. There is poetry about one of the darkest periods in human history, the holocaust. This is emotional prose, it tugs at the heart strings. If you are seeking uplifting light reading, save this for another day. Save it, but by all means read it!
Mr. Appel continues to surprise, delight, entertain, and elicit response from the whole gamut of human emotion and experience. Keep up the great work, Sir!
This collection of poems does get quite dark at times. There is poetry about one of the darkest periods in human history, the holocaust. This is emotional prose, it tugs at the heart strings. If you are seeking uplifting light reading, save this for another day. Save it, but by all means read it!
Mr. Appel continues to surprise, delight, entertain, and elicit response from the whole gamut of human emotion and experience. Keep up the great work, Sir!
July 28, 2019
Shortlisted for the 2019 Rubery Book Award
Appel’s signature mark is wit, and it’s here in abundance in these poems. Appel’s language is generally direct and informal. His speakers are, as the title suggests, cynical. He writes from the point of view of estranged school kids, for instance, in the opening poems, or as a detached and annoyed tour guide in Touring Greenwich Village: here he satires the ‘Spouses of dentists’ who gawp at him as he works, representative of a world beyond rescue. There are some extraordinary analogies here – in Infidelity, it’s a stolen kiss on a fire escape, while for his aunt it was a posted suicide note. Extremely enjoyable.
RuberyBookAward.com
Appel’s signature mark is wit, and it’s here in abundance in these poems. Appel’s language is generally direct and informal. His speakers are, as the title suggests, cynical. He writes from the point of view of estranged school kids, for instance, in the opening poems, or as a detached and annoyed tour guide in Touring Greenwich Village: here he satires the ‘Spouses of dentists’ who gawp at him as he works, representative of a world beyond rescue. There are some extraordinary analogies here – in Infidelity, it’s a stolen kiss on a fire escape, while for his aunt it was a posted suicide note. Extremely enjoyable.
RuberyBookAward.com
September 11, 2019
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I don't think I could ever judge poetry. There isn't really a way to define what is and isn't poetry, just like art. I thought this collection was beautiful and all of the poems flowed really well together. It might not be for everyone but It was defiantly for me.
My favorites are
pg 50. On The Sudden Death of a Beloved Acquaintance
pg 12. Infidelity
pg 22. Yet
pg 27. Jury Duty
pg 3. Visiting Alumnus
I don't think I could ever judge poetry. There isn't really a way to define what is and isn't poetry, just like art. I thought this collection was beautiful and all of the poems flowed really well together. It might not be for everyone but It was defiantly for me.
My favorites are
pg 50. On The Sudden Death of a Beloved Acquaintance
pg 12. Infidelity
pg 22. Yet
pg 27. Jury Duty
pg 3. Visiting Alumnus
February 29, 2020
I won a copy of this book in exchange for a review on LibraryThing.
I'm seldom a poetry reader though I enjoy trying new things. The following titles are poems that I found interesting: Concurrences, Yet, Variations on a Holocaust, Shrinking with Doubt, and Comedy for the New Millennium.
Some of the word choices in some of the poems seemed a little odd to me, but that's just my personal opinion. Besides that, it was an interesting read.
I'm seldom a poetry reader though I enjoy trying new things. The following titles are poems that I found interesting: Concurrences, Yet, Variations on a Holocaust, Shrinking with Doubt, and Comedy for the New Millennium.
Some of the word choices in some of the poems seemed a little odd to me, but that's just my personal opinion. Besides that, it was an interesting read.
June 17, 2020
The Cynic in Extremis is a book of poems that although short in pages is extremely hard to read. The poems are full of words yet fail to make sense and resonate with this reader. At some points it made the reader feel unintelligent as the poems were not making sense or uncommon words were used. Overall this book is unfortunately worth a pass.
February 9, 2019
I received this comp book from the author. Thank you Mr. Appel for renewing my interest in poetry. I could actually understand your collection of humorous and at times dark poems. A few of them I had to reread to determine if should laugh or cry. Always entertaining and thought-provoking!
April 12, 2019
Everything you've come to expect from contemporary American poetry, whatever that might mean to you.
(Hey, Jake: cynicism is the *beginning* of wisdom, not an end in itself.)
(Hey, Jake: cynicism is the *beginning* of wisdom, not an end in itself.)
May 7, 2019
I am not much of a poetry person. However, some of the poems had a witty sense of humor about them and talked about history as well. Overall it was an okay read.
September 9, 2019
I received this book as a gift from the author.
This was a short book of only 58 pages, but it took me a while to read because I wanted to soak it all in. It is a book of poems that remind us how short life is. Life and death. A very deep book. Take your time reading this.
Thanks so much to Jacob Appel for allowing me the chance to read this eye-opening book.
This was a short book of only 58 pages, but it took me a while to read because I wanted to soak it all in. It is a book of poems that remind us how short life is. Life and death. A very deep book. Take your time reading this.
Thanks so much to Jacob Appel for allowing me the chance to read this eye-opening book.
September 8, 2019
I received this book from LibraryThings. It is a poetry book of 58 poems. The poems are beautifully written and covers a variety of different topics. My favorite poem was #31 Flying with Clarity.
June 1, 2020
“What value is a stranger’s life, / Really, when love is at stake?”
I received this book through the LibraryThing Member Giveaway program in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll be honest, I’m not great at reviewing poems. Something about them just makes it hard for me to put my thoughts on them into words. But, I’m going to do my best. Poetry are very subjective, and just because I find that one does not go deeper than surface level, doesn’t mean that you will not.
I loved “Caveat.” I felt that the dry, sarcastic humor was entertaining and added a deep feeling of pent up anger to the poem.
I liked the others. While this was not my favorite poetry collection, I found it an enjoyable read. The poems offered looks into the lives of people around the characters of his poems. Some offered more “hidden” meanings and deep emotions, but many also seemed not to go deeper than surface level. This was fine, as the poems were well written and conveyed their meaning in a way that was enjoyable. Appel has a way of writing where every word seems very intentional, telling the reader everything they need to know.
There were several poems about the Holocaust included in this collection. I found these to be some of his best poems. The connections seemed almost as if someone was sitting in front of me, telling me of their personal family history.
This would be good for someone looking to delve into some modern poetry.
I received this book through the LibraryThing Member Giveaway program in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll be honest, I’m not great at reviewing poems. Something about them just makes it hard for me to put my thoughts on them into words. But, I’m going to do my best. Poetry are very subjective, and just because I find that one does not go deeper than surface level, doesn’t mean that you will not.
I loved “Caveat.” I felt that the dry, sarcastic humor was entertaining and added a deep feeling of pent up anger to the poem.
I liked the others. While this was not my favorite poetry collection, I found it an enjoyable read. The poems offered looks into the lives of people around the characters of his poems. Some offered more “hidden” meanings and deep emotions, but many also seemed not to go deeper than surface level. This was fine, as the poems were well written and conveyed their meaning in a way that was enjoyable. Appel has a way of writing where every word seems very intentional, telling the reader everything they need to know.
There were several poems about the Holocaust included in this collection. I found these to be some of his best poems. The connections seemed almost as if someone was sitting in front of me, telling me of their personal family history.
This would be good for someone looking to delve into some modern poetry.
April 27, 2019
A good short read. Poems were very good. Espescially liked trick-or-treating in suburbia,snow again, and I reallu liked assembling the exercycle(funny and true).
September 13, 2022
such beautiful work. so real and honest and lovely.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews