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About the Book“The passing of years seems a ruse of the gods, for only yesterday I was playing in the sand.” Memory is a strange thing. A fragile patchwork of recollection. A dream that fades after waking. Arcade of Memory is a beautiful collection of essays, poems, and short stories that explores the notion of memory, drawing from the author’s experiences traveling throughout the world. Essays examine memory and the act of making meaning. Poems, written in the style of Japanese tanka, draw inspiration from global culture. Short stories use history as a springboard for contemplating the mysteries of life. This lyrical, thoughtful collection reminds us that our personal past is a mythical land, which can only be visited through recollection and imagination. |
Reviews
"A choir of voices emerges in the short stories, weaving in threads from bygone eras and paintings that come to life. Descriptions of characters’ desires, regrets, and delights emphasize emotion over objectivity. The result is dreamy work that imparts a sense that there is more to life than meets the eye.... Arcade of Memory is an in-depth literary collection in which beautiful places and thoughtful personalities, past and present, are engaged."
- Mari Carlson, 5/5 Star Foreword Clarion Review [READ FULL REVIEW]
BookLife Reviews
Giskin’s thoughtfully curated second collection of short stories and poetry (after Murmurings) serenely meanders through a patchwork tapestry of cultures, viewpoints, and travel experiences with a curious and open heart. In “Transcendence,” the author describes losing himself in the beauty of nature, while “Memory” questions how people create a sense of self. In poems such as “Travel,” the unmetered five-line structure of Japanese tanka is combined with contrasting imagery to capture the weight of Giskin’s global experiences with landscapes and cultures. Real-world experiences take a turn for the fantastic in short stories such as “A Touch of Dementia,” in which an elderly man daydreams more and more often about a rainy holiday in Puerto Rico with his late wife.
Each of the pieces ultimately serves as a jumping-off point for Giskin’s philosophy of life, which places tremendous importance on both respecting history and living in the moment. His poems (interspersed with quotes from other poets in a way that can occasionally be confusing) flow as beautifully as the natural surroundings they describe, but the short stories are the real gifts. Giskin has a lovely way of taking something ordinary and turning it into something magical, giving just enough interpretation that it’s easy for each reader to find personal meaning in the work.
Giskin deftly brings readers on a journey around the world and explores other cultures with a sense of wonder, always asking his readers to consider their own place within the larger picture. Above all, the collection emphasizes the power of imagination and the beauty in memories. Any reader looking to find surprise and joy in everyday life will find this collection inspiring.
Takeaway: Poetry fans and philosophers alike will enjoy this meditative and thought-provoking collection of introspective stories and poems.
Print Date: 08/31/2020
- Mari Carlson, 5/5 Star Foreword Clarion Review [READ FULL REVIEW]
BookLife Reviews
Giskin’s thoughtfully curated second collection of short stories and poetry (after Murmurings) serenely meanders through a patchwork tapestry of cultures, viewpoints, and travel experiences with a curious and open heart. In “Transcendence,” the author describes losing himself in the beauty of nature, while “Memory” questions how people create a sense of self. In poems such as “Travel,” the unmetered five-line structure of Japanese tanka is combined with contrasting imagery to capture the weight of Giskin’s global experiences with landscapes and cultures. Real-world experiences take a turn for the fantastic in short stories such as “A Touch of Dementia,” in which an elderly man daydreams more and more often about a rainy holiday in Puerto Rico with his late wife.
Each of the pieces ultimately serves as a jumping-off point for Giskin’s philosophy of life, which places tremendous importance on both respecting history and living in the moment. His poems (interspersed with quotes from other poets in a way that can occasionally be confusing) flow as beautifully as the natural surroundings they describe, but the short stories are the real gifts. Giskin has a lovely way of taking something ordinary and turning it into something magical, giving just enough interpretation that it’s easy for each reader to find personal meaning in the work.
Giskin deftly brings readers on a journey around the world and explores other cultures with a sense of wonder, always asking his readers to consider their own place within the larger picture. Above all, the collection emphasizes the power of imagination and the beauty in memories. Any reader looking to find surprise and joy in everyday life will find this collection inspiring.
Takeaway: Poetry fans and philosophers alike will enjoy this meditative and thought-provoking collection of introspective stories and poems.
Print Date: 08/31/2020
