Where Stories Gather

by Karuna Ezara Parikh

Where Stories Gather, Karuna Ezara Parikh's first volume of poetry, presents a curation of her most popular work alongside new material where she delves into a deeply personal realm, asking and answering questions of identity, memory, womanhood, and the heart. Her poem Pray for the World, published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in 2015, echoed around a bruised, grieving world, speaking directly to those bewildered and outraged by the moral contradictions of international politics. Again and again since then, Karuna's subtle commentary has garnered wide readership. The collection marks her as a poet of the fragile human condition, with poetry that is urgent and lyrical, intimate and fiery, empathetic and hopeful.

Genres: Poetry

122 pages, Hardcover

Published November 8, 2021

Reviews

[Aastha Anand · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many times have you read a book too slow because you didn't wish for it to end?


Dear Karuna, you wreck me each year with your words, bring a whole different world to life where different opinions, feelings, emotions and personalities stay together. In between the pages of your book I break and out myself together multiple times. Your books are magic, they touch me and shape me in ways I had never expected.


There are some books that we read and they become our favorite instantly. They leave us so devastated and moved in so many ways that we get sad that they have ended and then all we wanna do is go back to that book and just live in between those pages.


We try to find the right words to express or wait for the right words to come to us, so that we can talk about this super special book on and on to tell everyone how beautiful it is, how beautifully it is written, the engaging writing style, the thoughtfully created mix of the set of poems  which make you experience all the different emotions that exist in this world. For me this book is 'Where The Stories Gather'.


This book is so..so damn special for me that I can never find the right words to describe how I really feel about it. All I can do is try to convince people to read it and tell them how beautiful and amazing it is and never stop recommending it. Karuna is such an amazing writer that with every poem she'll make you visit another world. 


The book is divided into 8 parts each capturing a different set of emotions and experiences. The poems made me pause and reflect and pulled me back into them again and again. As I read through them, it felt like sitting across the table with the author over a cup of tea at times. More than half of my book is flagged with my favorite poems and lines. This book covers so many topics in the form of poems that one might not even expect.


I can keep on blabbering about this book and would still say that I'm not able to find the right words to express how it made me feel. I have so many favorites in the book. Please just go and buy this book and read it soon. I RECOMMEND it to each and everyone of you.

[Deepti Rana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to start re-reading this one as soon as I finished it. The poetry here enounces everything I feel or wanted to feel and say. It's is an intoxicating, all consuming cure all; I enjoyed it all the more because it resonated with my own thoughts and experiences. This book is my ahayusca retreat! :D

[Meenal]

DNF page 18

I can't anymore. What is this? Why was it published? Utter nonsense, no hate to the author.

[Shabba Hakim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karuna Ezara Parekh is someone whose work I have followed for years. My favourite thing about her debut novel was the rhythm of the prose, with her first collection of poetry the fact that she is both a poet and a storyteller becomes apparent. It’s a book that simultaneously broke my heart while healing it to, dealing with everything from heartbreak, feminism, environmentalism and activism. The poet is someone who leads with empathy and through her work I feel we her a peek at her heart.

[Anusha Udupa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an evocative, soulful collection of poetry! Karuna has a beautiful heart and it shows in her writing. I have been reading these poems over and over, savouring their beauty and depth. Her words have inspired, healed and transformed me. I’m going to cherish this collection for a really long time. ❤️

[Anandarupa Chakrabarti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book review. But rather in an attempt to convince you, I read a beyond amazing book, much more dignified than the 5-star ratings that you must read. When I first discovered Karuna through the promotion of her first, I ventured into her world with no expectations. It was like- now that I’m reading a new author I must take it slow, but as I read Heart Asks Pleasure First- it took my breath away. The book softens you towards mankind. Karuna is so full of words that she will make you take away something from these pages. From her you learn empathy and how to stay together and her warm torch through this journey.

‘Where Stories Gather’ is a wholesome collection of poetry that made me fumble for the right word to come even to talk about it. Reading this book was such an event I took time to come out and I still do not know if this is the proper explanation for such a creative, engaging, mesmerizingly haunting and gorgeous book. Each poem makes you feel different emotions. And after all the reading, you feel how many blind people are that it took a book to be created to make us feel what we felt.
As a budding poet, it made me realize- for some they need less than 200 pages to experience and live that experience and others might write so much but still not remembered at all. Reading Karuna’s poems made me feel everything- it made me feel my heart, it made me feel loved, it made me feel- even I should be unapologetically me. I'm a poet(maybe), I write what I observe. I write what makes me sleepless. I write about memories, wishes and wants. I’ll be honest- throughout April felt incomplete. I didn’t read and it was a disappointment. But now that I have Karuna’s words, I can be a peace for I don’t have to miss her words when I need them most.

A little information about Where Stories Gather-it is a damn beautiful book with precisely eight parts curated with the perfection that you would fall in love with. Karuna gathers stories from different experiences and fills up the spaces we were waiting to be filled and understood. These eight parts teach and stitch and teach you things- you would want it never-ending.

Where Stories Gather is undoubtedly the best experience in poetry this year. So so charming, moving, stunning and endearing. I can't stop and maybe wouldn’t stop recommending anyone this collection. It's not a recommendation- it’s a prayer to read this book, hold it close and share all your secrets with it.

[Preethi Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Becoming by @karunaezara

You are not the sum of the people you have loved. You are not the sum of the ones you have tried to, nor the ones you didn't but left your mark upon anyway. Even in your wakeful, difficult, sizzling cruelty, you are math more dignified than that.

You are not your favourite grey T-shirt or your even now unquenched thirst for single malt. You aren't your first-grade teacher's prophecy from when you were filled with an abundance of hope, nor are you your ninth-grade teacher's warning, from when you began to lose in bundles, the same.

But maybe you are your big smile. At least that is how I would like to think of you. Your massive heart might as well be secretly filled with forest flowers coming up as merry pranksters in its mulchy groves.

And maybe, at least for me, you are the sunrise splashed across the sky. So brave in your bloodiness, forever rising even after sinking. Fearlessly warm, transforming everything in your fiery wake.
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Just how beautiful is this piece above ! I read it more than once and it stuck with me . If you love reading poems I cannot stress enough to pick up this book ! Karuna has her way with words ! I am not someone who reads a lot of Poems but after hearing praises for author’s writing style in her debut novel #theheartaskspleasurefirst ( which I am currently reading ) I had to pick up this one ! Its safe to say I enjoyed it esp I loved how she penned her poems with the feminist touch.

[Poorvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this poetry book Where Stories Gather you will get to read about different themes like healing, identity, nostalgic memories, love and hope, monsoon, world and aching heart and many more. The poetries within this will craft your way through relatable lines, consuming thoughts and experiences which will leave you enchanted and enthralled.

As when stories come together in poetry, it's all about extraordinary and baffling ideas. It helps your world grow in an ever-changing way, so that it remains an interesting and valuable place to live. While reading poetry, you become engrossed in the words and writing, which is full of nostalgia and fondness until the world becomes wild and crazy. Stories in poetry can be passionate, stormy and fiery. This is why poetry is always a curious and exciting read. When reading poetry, you become absorbed in the stories being told. It can take you to different places and make you feel real and tangible.

There are some great lines in this book that you can relate to -

Imagine the skin of a life
with every adventure taken.
A pulse pushed up always
right against it, so close to the edge
any moment now flesh might fail,
may trip, break, burst and show blood,
could betray this body as human.
But till then let the beat match
a butterfly and maybe you'll understand
when I say – I like skin you can count
constellations in.

Even in the wake
of all this ache... I continue.
I must continue.

I love the soft underside of my
own heart where the long veins
of memory are made
I dig there with a brutally soft
spade.

[Nisa Parveen Shaikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝕱𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞 𝖍𝖔𝖜 𝖘𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖔𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖓𝖊𝖙 𝖑𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖘 ‘𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗’ 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖞 𝖈𝖔𝖕𝖞 𝖔𝖋 𝖆 𝖇𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝖈𝖆𝖓 𝖇𝖊 𝖉𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖔𝖞𝖊𝖉, 𝖞𝖊𝖙 𝖎𝖙 𝖎𝖘 𝖎𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖙𝖆𝖓𝖌𝖎𝖇𝖎𝖑𝖎𝖙𝖞 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖑𝖆𝖙𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖜𝖊 𝖉𝖔𝖈𝖐 𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊.
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Where Stories Gather is a collection of Poems which were compiled using Karuna ma'am 's most popular ones from her social media and some new poems.

This collection is a beautiful form of literary art starting from the Introduction to the Notes. I highly recommend reading the Introduction, Notes, and Acknowledgement too because they are as captivating as the poems.

Each poem had its own theme delving into topics such as - but not limited to - personal identity, memories of childhood, being a woman, emotions of the heart.

Some poems I felt were very personal they had such emotions that it felt it must be so close to the author's heart.
I really wondered while reading this collection that it must have taken so much courage to bare your heart out on paper for everyone.

It was a very beautiful experience reading these poems and I will urge all of you to give it a try because I'm sure it will capture your heart.
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Have you ever come across poetry that felt this personal and evocative?

[Avani ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬
𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈'𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞
𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬, 𝐰𝐞'𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.

Poetry is a genre which I have found that very few people read and even write. Karuna Ezara Parikh, author of 'The Heart Asks Pleasure First' has a newest release, which is a poetry collection titled "Where Stories Gather".

I'm yet to read her novel, but I decided to go with her poetry book first and I must say I am impressed with her debut poetry collection. We see raw emotions embedded in each and every word the author has written in this book.

...𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬,
𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐈 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐞
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐈 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞.

The poetry collection in this book varies in it's intensive as well as depth. Each one talks about different things and society in which we as women live in even in today's times. Strong verse, intimate emotions leads to a very powerful poetry collection.

[Isha G. K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first full work by Karuna though I've been following her on social media for a while, and it really didn't disappoint! After 115 pages, I feel like I know her as a close friend, and have been through a journey with her, which is how I always want to come away from a poetry collection feeling. Whether it's the feminist leanings, the strong emphasis on self-love, or the way words are allowed to wander where they may—and thus create poems—I resonated with much of the writing. If anything, I feel the book was too short, finishing so quickly I didn't have time to entirely absorb the spirit of it.

It's hard to point to a favourite, but here are a few that stood out to me in an outstanding collection: Admission, Bone Work, Navigation, Reflection, Breaking Bread, Here, Warning, and Joy.

Overall, a solid 4.25/5⭐

[Zakri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed ezarawrites on Instagram since her famous "Paris Poem," and it saddened me greatly that I couldn't purchase her books outside of India... Until this year. I finally have her books in hand, and I am currently sitting on a beach in Southern India meditating on her words.

Each morning as I carefully brew my coffee and prepare my breakfast, I read. I savor. I ponder. And even though I finished the final poem today, I will carry her amazing words with me and continue to share them with my students.

If you have the chance to buy her book, you absolutely should. It is worth the cost of shipping.

[Moge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not know how to describe the poems in this collection. They are varied and not all of them were great, or to my liking. But the ones that struck a chord, just left me dazed, amazed. This is a carefully crafted collection of poems, and many many poems here will go on to be my favourite, even years, decades from now. Raw, unfettered, honest.

PS: I loved some of the poems so much that I had intentionally delayed finishing this book. Over a couple of months, I've read and re-read many of these poems. And will continue to do so.

[Kanwarpal Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The poetry collection in this book varies in it's intensive collection and genre consist about women live in even in today's times, broke my heart while healing it to, dealing with everything from heartbreak, feminism, environmentalism and activism.. Author used Strong verse, intimate emotions leads to a very powerful poetry collection.

Each one talks about different things and society in which women recide , someone who leads with empathy and through her work I feel her a peek at her heart and darkness with she write her poetry.

[Rutuja Ramteke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of poems, musings and deep thoughts, this book is a wonderful read when you wish to get lost the world that will bring you closer with yourself. I recently read this and it totally has my heart.
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Also, the cover is so very beautiful. This book made me feel all sorts of emotions. Definitely recommended.

[Tahoora Hashmi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think Contemporary poetry books are not for me anymore, not in poetry book format atleast. Once in a while Instagram posts sounds great but reading them back to back I feel like I lost their essence no matter how much I spaced my reading time out.

Looking forward to read the authors novel tho, have hugh expectations there.

[megz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a huge poetry fan, but I really liked these poems. I feel like I could relate to some of them because of her ethnicity and the way she writes about her memories is so special. I really enjoyed this, it felt dreamy.

[Parmita]

Poignant, relatable, and thought-provoking. Finished it in one sitting.

[Dhriti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful poems <3

Everyone should read this one :)

[Ila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely poetry for gloomy winter mornings.

[Tushara Kothapally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, sweet and straight-from-the-heart.

[Ritaban Biswas · Rating 4 out of 5]

...poetry is so bare and honest a medium, reading one's own work is often like sitting with your family members.

Reading Where Stories Gather by Karuna was close to receiving a cuddle in the winter, quenching thirst on a hot summer day, and taking pleasure in a steaming cup of coffee on a gloomy day. All of the words pierced through my skin and rushed towards my heart; when they all arrived, they filled the abyss with intense feelings and emotions. These verses are straightforward but profound. In general, the pieces "Where Stories Gather," "Waiting at the Gynecologist's Office," and "Warning" made me think about how callous cishet-men are. Through poems like "Submission," "Becoming," and "Things to Keep," Karuna wished to inspire me (and the other readers) to stand firm, maintain my character, and keep going no matter what life threw at me.

It took me a very long time to read this book from cover to cover because I had to go back and read nearly every verse to fully grasp Karuna's messages and, to some extent, the boulders of anguish, loss, and remorse that had either struck her or were still pursuing her. Just as she asserted, reading Where Stories Gather was like chatting about the inanities of life with a close relative.

[Gopika Bai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best piece of art to start 2022 :)

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poetry book should be like this one, short and mesmerising; full of emotions which are raw :)

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of poems that are intense and bring emotions of the reader.

[Rysa R · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Rira · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book filled with poetry and musings. Lucid writing embracing the emotions of the human heart and the contradictions of the mind - where memories gather.

[Aradhna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completed this beautiful poetry book but to be honest, I want to read it all over again. I didn’t wanted it to end. This book broke me, healed me . It also talks about womanhood and activism. This shall be one of her most beautiful collections of works.

[Renee Pattnaik · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Where Stories Gather” by Karuna Ezara Parikh is no doubt a revolutionary poetry collection, consisting of insights of women who are dominated by society’s unfair norms and expectations and how they must rebel. Secondly, a larger part of the book also contains pieces where humanity at large is also shown to be affected and how an individual can gather oneself, nurture oneself and keep scintillating even through the oddities.

However, while some short crisp lines and some interesting metaphorical comparisons managed to capture the beauty and purity behind emotions of revolutionary women, in my opinion, the themes were quite repetitive.

Secondly, while the thought behind many poems were simple, the language unnecessarily decorative and ornamental snatched away a considerate amount of reality to the emotions portrayed through the lines. Such books strike the chord with the readers mostly when simple and straight forward language is used connecting the readers instantly but this connection lacked at least in half of the book, if not entirely.

However, not to forget mentioning, there were some really amazing, and ever-lasting works within it as well, enough to bring about a change of emotions or intentions among readers and inspire them for life.