Reviews from

On Writing a Crown of Heroic Sonnets

Not for the faint-hearted

61 total reviews 
Comment from w.j.debi
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Oh, my goodness, tfawcus, what have you done? This is a well written group of sonnets. The fact that you kept it entertaining the whole way through is amazing. I usually get bored with these long crown of heroic sonnets poems because they seem contrived part way through and I lose my focus. I just admire the fact anyone can put something together that long in iambic pentameter. But your poem kept me interested the entire time.
Great use of enjambment to keep the flow and make the verse feel conversational instead of forced. I love the humor, too. I hope you do well in the contest.

 Comment Written 14-Mar-2014


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2014
    Thanks very much, WJD. So glad you enjoyed this one, and thank you very much for the six stars. I am truly honoured by your very kind words. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from Spitfire
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I see the seven stages of life in your organization of this outstanding work. Woe is me. I have no sixes left. There are too many outstanding lines for me to mention any as a favorite. I will say, you should enter this into a contest outside of FS. Maybe Writer's Digest annual competition? Deadline May 5th?

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2014


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2014
    Thanks very much, Spitfire. So glad you enjoyed this one, and thank you very much for the six stars. I am truly honoured by your very kind words and compliment. I have bookmarked info about the Writers' Digest competition and will have a look at it in more detail shortly. I suspect I might need to re-write the sonnet comparing my poem with those of other contestants, as it is rather too 'in-house' for a potentially wider audience. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from Giddy Nielsen-Sweep
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Congratulations are due here on many levels, Tony. First of all on completing the challenge at all is worth something, (I know, because I entered the competition last year,) and secondly your sonnets are cleverly metaphorical on life, and you have managed to make it personal with the competition entrants... well done... I enjoyed it. Giddy

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2014


reply by the author on 16-Mar-2014
    Thanks very much, Giddy. So glad you enjoyed this one, and thank you very much for the six stars. I am truly honoured by your very kind words. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from minopavlic
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

In terms of artistry, craftsmanship and elegance, the appeal of your writing to say the least was in itself hypnotic. The poem has its own unique form of expression, which brings the moment to life.

Great work

no_obstacle

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2014


reply by the author on 13-Mar-2014
    Thanks for taking the time to read my poem and for this great six-star review. You sure do a bloke's ego good!
Comment from Kingsrookviii
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

You have created a very impressive, but sad work of art here. I love the coat of arms. The message is a great journey that tells much about your character. I thought "my wrinkled mind" was a great attention grabber. However, what I find fascination here is how you imply a sort of reverse personification by linking (your) self with the poem which is
obviously made of words, that are free - with you LOCKED within. The dichotomy is perfect. Great job.

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2014


reply by the author on 13-Mar-2014
    Thanks for this insightful and interesting review. Much appreciated. Have a great day.
Comment from James Dooney
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Oh my this is quite deep indeed and I love how you were able to keep it going for as long as you did. Its good stuff indeed ! well done !

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2014


reply by the author on 13-Mar-2014
    Thanks for this supportive review, James. Much appreciated. Have a great day.
Comment from fan-of-writing
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

You have clearly demonstrated your incredible talents by writing such an amazing and sophisticated piece of art here.
Magnificent! I salute you with the highest of honors for your superior talents in the art of writing.

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2014


reply by the author on 13-Mar-2014
    Many thanks for your extremely complimentary review, fan-of-writing.
Comment from mfowler
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is complex, so I'll keep my review brief for a change. I kept shifting my focus throughout. Just as I read one sonnet, I thought I knew where it was going, but then you extended and took me elsewhere eg, I thought this was a clear journey through life, then I thought it was about finding love, and then about insecurities about sonnet writing in the face of FS experts, and then about life and the end time. So I have been mightily entertained,a little confused in parts, but in deep respect for your poetic skills.

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2014


reply by the author on 13-Mar-2014
    Thanks for your insightful review! The narrative certainly did wander a bit. I had a fairly clear idea where I was going with it to start with but strayed off course! If I ever decided to take this one any further, I'd almost certainly ditch the whole of the 5th sonnet in favour of a re-write.
Comment from GregoryC
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is quite an accomplishment. Well executed and showing a great deal of talent. It follows an natural and almost scholarly direction. The lines break at just the right point, the flow is easy on the eye even though it was a difficult challenge. The couplets really cement each transition to the next sonnet. One of my favorite lines:

"My life is quite a diff'rent sort of game,
For I was schooled in fear and learnt to hate
Myself and there, in place of love, was blame.
I ran the gauntlet of the schoolyard gate..."

Good job all around.

Gregory

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2014


reply by the author on 13-Mar-2014
    Many thanks, Gregory. I appreciate your taking the time to read and review this lengthy poem and am duly flattered by your kind comments and rating.
Comment from michaelcahill
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I have part of this terrifying thing in word that I've been working on! You actually have done it. And with the greatest style too. I smiled and laughed and nodded knowingly throughout. This is just wonderfully crafted and I related to every word of it. It really is what we face everyday as we try and squeeze something out of our brains and through that pen that might reach someone the way we want it too. I may not be the greatest writer in the world, but I am good enough to know that this is an amazing accomplishment. I truly enjoyed every word of this. I salute you! Damn it, you did it!!! mikey

 Comment Written 12-Mar-2014


reply by the author on 12-Mar-2014
    Thanks, Mikey! It wasn't fun! Too much brain strain! I shan't be doing it again, I assure you! I'm not a great fan of long poems. Short attention span I guess. That's why I write poems, not novels. As one reviewer put it, 'cathartic'. I think she meant verbal diarrhoea! All that apart, I really appreciated the way you engaged with my poem in your review. Best wishes, Tony