I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Elizabeth Kirschner takes readers on an emotional journey exploring and bringing to light the subjects of addiction, abuse, and domestic violence in the collection, “Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts”.
The Synopsis
Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts is a raw and intense collection of intricately layered short stories that touch on the recurring themes of sexual violence, domestic abuse, mental illness, and addiction.
The characters are often cruel and inhumane with parents speaking in riddles to their abused children. The narrators are all women, usually unnamed, who have a lost, dissociated quality to them, as the details of their lives seem to fray.
As the stories develop, some of these narrators find love and normalcy, though not always happily. Violence pulses steadily throughout the collection, but it is the author’s hope that the stories not only reveal the breadth and power of her poetics, but also give voice to the disturbed, the dispossessed and the lowly in an elegant, lyrical form.
The Review
I absolutely loved that although the author did not write the collection to be that of poetry, the writing itself had some amazing poetic and heartfelt styles to it. The imagery and tone of each narrative really did a fantastic job of bringing the reader into these situations and allowed readers a chance to understand the circumstance of this narrative and the importance of speaking up and finding our own voice in this world.
This was a truly emotional and heartfelt read. The themes and emotions the author touched upon in these narratives were so difficult to read about and discuss, but the conversation needs to happen, and this book does a great job of opening these discussions up. The author’s words and courage in delving into this subject matter are felt on every page and speak to the resilience and strength that they had in sharing this message with readers. The imagery was definitely the driving force behind these stories, however, as the stark nature of these scenes playing out in the reader’s minds made this topic a much-needed staple in literature these days.
The Verdict
Emotional, heartfelt, and captivating, author Elizabeth Kirschner’s “Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts” is the must-read short story collection of 2021. The artful and very cinematic quality of the author’s writing and the important themes discussed within the narrative made this collection such an impactful read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Elizabeth Kirschner is the author of Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts. It was brought out by Atmosphere Press in June, 2021.
Kirschner has published five volumes of poetry, most recently, My Life as a Doll, Autumn House Press, 2008, and Surrender to Light, Cherry Grove Editions, 2009. The former was nominated for the Lenore Marshall Prize, the Patterson Book Prize and named Kirschner as the Literary Arts Fellow in the state of Maine, 2010.
Her memoir, Walking the Bones was published by The Piscataqua Press, February, 2015. It was the winner of the North Street Book Prize for best work of nonfiction by an Independent author.
Kirschner has been writing and teaching multi-genres across four decades. She served as faculty in Fairfield University’s low-residence MFA in Creative Writing Program and has also taught at Boston College and Carnegie-Mellon University.
She has collaborated with many classical composers and this work is featured on numerous CD’s, including The Dichterliebe in Four Seasons, Schumann/Kirschner.
She currently serves as a writing mentor and manuscript consultant and teaches various workshops in and around her community in Kittery Point, ME.
Stay in touch with Elizabeth by visiting her website https://elizabethkirschner.com or by following her on GoodReads.
— Blog Tour Calendar
November 1st @ The Muffin
Join as we celebrate the launch of Elizabeth Kirschner’s story collection Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy for yourself.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
November 3rd @ Create Write Now
Visit Mari’s blog today and read a guest post by Elizabeth Kirschner about the importance of writerly habits.
https://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog
November 5th @ Bring on Lemons
Stop by Crystal’s blog today and read her insights into Elizabeth Kirschner’s book Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
November 9th @ Mindy McGinnis’ Blog
Join Mindy as she shares author Elizabeth Kirschner’s guest post about how one’s thematic concerns or obsessions are presented, not stated.
https://www.mindymcginnis.com/blog
November 10th @ Madeline Sharples’ Blog
Join Madeline as she features author Elizabeth Kirschner’s guest post about the invention and supremacy of character.
November 11th @ The Frugalista Mom
Join Rozelyn as she reviews Elizabeth Kirschner’s book Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts. You can also enter to win a copy of the book for yourself.
November 15th @ Memoir Writer’s Journey
Kathy Pooler shares author Elizabeth Kirschner’s guest post about how the short story evolves.
https://www.krpooler.com/blog/
November 19th @ CK Sorens’ Blog
Join Carrie as she shares Elizabeth Kirschner’s guest post about the mind behind the story, it’s circular as opposed to linear nature.
November 21st @ Word Magic
Join Fiona as she features a guest post by Elizabeth Kirschner about her obsession with language.
http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
November 25th @ The Good Book Nook
Visit Polly’s Instagram page where she reviews Elizabeth Kirschner’s book Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts.
https://www.instagram.com/_thegoodbooknook
November 27th @ Lisa Haselton’s Book Reviews and Interviews
Jon Lisa as she interviews author Elizabeth Kirschner, author of the book Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts.
https://lisahaselton.com/blog/
November 30th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Join Anthony as he reviews author Elizbeth Kirschner’s book Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts.
December 1st @ McFly Book Bliss
Join Marisa as she features author Elizabeth Kirschner and an excerpt from her book Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts.
http://www.mcflysbookbliss.com/
Purchase your copy now on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. Also make sure you add this to your GoodReads reading list.
Thank you, Anthony, for this thoughtful review! Please post it wherever you can!
Gratefully,
Elizabeth