“Bereft: A Story about Love, Loss, and Family” by M. A. Quigley is an absorbing saga that intricately weaves together themes of forbidden love, overbearing parental influence, and the complexities of faith, presented in a unique blend of prose and poetry.
Table of Contents
Synopsis
In the 1970s, a lovestruck young woman fresh out of college encounters a man from her past, sparking a rekindled passion between them. Despite societal expectations and her parents’ disapproval, they find themselves drawn to each other once more, embracing their love regardless of age or race, challenging conventional norms and following their hearts.
Review
The compelling narrative of “Bereft: A Story about Love, Loss, and Family” offers a profound exploration of forbidden love amidst familial discord and religious scrutiny, conveyed through a unique blend of poetry and prose.
Set against the backdrop of societal expectations and religious influences, the story immerses readers in the emotional turmoil of the protagonist as she grapples with her desires and confronts the overbearing pressures of her family. Quigley’s stylistic choice to mix free verse with rhyming sequences adds depth and texture to the narrative, allowing for a richly evocative portrayal of the protagonist’s innermost thoughts and feelings. While some readers may find the main character’s flaws off-putting, Quigley’s skillful depiction of emotional angst in a poetic format offers a raw and honest exploration of the human condition, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences of love, loss, and identity. Additionally, the use of Australian English and unconventional dialogue punctuation adds authenticity to the narrative, further enhancing the immersive reading experience.
While the author adeptly captures the emotional essence of the story, the delivery could benefit from enhancements in readability and flow. Suggestions for stanza formatting and dialogue augmentation could elevate the engagement and resonance of the narrative and allow readers to more deeply connect with the characters and their experiences. The vividly depicted settings and multifaceted characters contribute to the immersive quality of the book, although the unlikable nature of some characters may require further development to foster reader empathy. Technique-wise, streamlining the length and refining repetitive elements would enhance the overall impact and cohesion of the collection. Additionally, a thoughtful redesign of the book’s layout and organisation, including titling and sectioning of poems, would enhance readability and facilitate a more cohesive storytelling experience. These recommendations are subjective, though, and may not be considered important by all poetry and prose patrons.
Despite its areas for improvement, “Bereft” is a compelling and thought-provoking work that resonates with readers on a deeply emotional level, making it a standout contribution to contemporary literature.
About the Author
M.A. Quigley, a graduate of RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, holds an Associated Degree in Professional Writing and Editing since 2015. With a penchant for crafting evocative flash fiction, poetry, and short stories, Quigley’s works have graced over 30 anthologies globally. In 2021, she launched her debut novel, “The Complexities of Love,” followed by the poignant poetry novel, “Bereft,” in December 2022.
Book Details
- Title: Bereft: A Story about Love, Loss, and Family
- Author: M. A. Quigley
- Genre: Fiction
- Theme: Love, Loss and Family
- Publication Date: 20 December 2022
- Publisher: Resource Publications
- ISBN or ASIN: 978-1666756081
- Number of Pages: 112
- Minimum Audience Age: 16
Book Themes
(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)
- Sexual themes: 1
- Religious themes: 3
- Violence, self-harm, etc.: 2
- Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 0
- Other adult themes: 1
Rating
- Content: 4 stars
- Writing Style: 4 stars
- Appeal to Target Audience: 4 stars
- Uniqueness: 4 stars
- Editing: 4 stars
- Other factors: 4 stars
- Overall: 4.0 out of 5 stars
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[…] has also been named a finalist for the BREW Readers’ Choice Award 2024-2025. The Chrysalis BREW Project notes that the work is “a compelling narrative about the delicate balance of love, faith, […]
[…] has also been named a finalist for the BREW Readers’ Choice Award 2024-2025. The Chrysalis BREW Project notes that the work is “a compelling narrative about the delicate balance of love, faith, and […]
[…] has also been named a finalist for the BREW Readers’ Choice Award 2024-2025. The Chrysalis BREW Project notes that the work is “a compelling narrative about the delicate balance of love, faith, and […]