Book Review

Basic Details:

Book Title: Postcards From Beyond Reality

Subtitle: The Selected Poems of Michael Daniels

Author: Bernard Jan

Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Poetry

Part of a series? No/partially

Order in series: 1.5

Best read after earlier books in series? Best read after Cruel Summer by this author

Available:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60559702-postcards-from-beyond-reality

(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57070478-cruel-summer)

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

This is another great book by this author. The way it brings Michael Daniels is brought back to life in this spin-off of Cruel Summer is nearly eery. The author has cleverly evoked Michael’s spirit in this book.

Where Cruel Summer told the story of skateboarding loving Michael emotionally, this collection of poems shows us Michael’s inner thoughts. I highly recommend this book but suggest Cruel Summer is read first.

What I liked about the book:

Bernard Jan has a great style of writing and I couldn’t put the book down.

What I didn’t like about the book:

I really loved the book. Even the dark nature of the poems did not distract from the great story. Indeed, they were an integral part of it.

My favourite bits in the book:

The way the poems made me feel like having a front seat to Michael’s inner thoughts.

My least favourite bits in the book:

There were none.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This author has written a few other books, which are also very much worth a read. I enjoyed them all.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a great book unlike any other I’ve read. It is the perfect follow-up to Cruel Summer.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children No

Young Adult Yes

Adult Yes

If you like your books dark, but full of hope for the future, this collection of poems may be the book for you. I recommend you read Cruel Summer first.

I’m certainly looking forward to reading more by this author.

Book Description by Author:

His life has been a cocktail of melancholy, sorrow, and desire. When a skateboarder dips his pen into poetry, what will his passion create?

After a lifetime of abuse and the tragic loss of his mother, NYC teen Michael Daniels needed an outlet. Despite his cheerful nature, his inner mind was teeming with the stark contrast of darkness and light. So, in this volume full of imagery and symbolism, his underground rhymes reflect days full of extreme sports, failed relationships, and nostalgic memories.

Written by Bernard Jan in character as the hero from his novel Cruel Summer, this channeled view of the world is an extravaganza of extremes. And in its groundbreaking perspectives, you’ll discover the cries of a heart longing to be understood.

Buy this book of poetry and feel Michael’s passion through these unusual literary postcards.

About the Author:

"There is no greater joy than to share what you love with those who appreciate it." - Bernard Jan

Bernard Jan is an award-winning novelist and a poet from Croatia, and he has released four books in English.

Readers' Favorite Gold Medalist 2020

Readers' Favorite Bronze Medalist 2019

A World Without Color is a true story of the last three days he spent with his cat, while Look for Me Under the Rainbow in a unique and gentle way sheds light on the plight of harp seal pups in Canada. It warms the heart of all readers concerned about our planet and its treasures. January River is a heartwarming cross-genre novel about five friends, one dog, and one river carrying a secret. Cruel Summer is a gripping young adult cross-genre novel about an abused teenager from New Manhattan who only wants to skate, but they have other plans for him.

His first two books were written at the beginning of the war in Croatia in 1991 amidst air alerts and illusory attempts when he wanted to believe and think that life is normal, that everything is all right with the world. He has published five novels, two novellas, and one book of poems in Croatian. Four of his books, including the book of poems, were translated into English.

His passion for music and entertainment resulted in his becoming a partner of Tom's Music Place, which was established in 2009 by his friend Thomas Carley Jr., whose objective was to raise the respect of music.

His desire to help others came to the fore during his years advocating environmental protection and advocacy of animal rights. He did volunteering work for the refugees, because suffering does not know any borders. When it comes within your reach in your home, you simply have to do something. As part of his animal advocacy activities, it has been a great honor and pleasure to translate "Eternal Treblinka: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust" by Charles Patterson into Croatian.

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