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Smoke & Mirrors
Smoke & Mirrors is the third book from internationally bestselling poet Michael Faudet, author of Bitter Sweet Love and Dirty Pretty Things—both finalists in the 2016 and 2015 Goodreads Readers Choice Awards.
Michael Faudet’s latest book takes the reader on an emotionally charged journey, exploring the joys of falling madly in love and the melancholy world of the brokenhearted. Beautifully captured in poetry, prose, and short stories, Faudet's whimsical and sometimes erotic writing has captured the hearts and minds of thousands of readers from around the world.
Michael Faudet’s latest book takes the reader on an emotionally charged journey, exploring the joys of falling madly in love and the melancholy world of the brokenhearted. Beautifully captured in poetry, prose, and short stories, Faudet's whimsical and sometimes erotic writing has captured the hearts and minds of thousands of readers from around the world.
229 pages, Paperback
First published November 14, 2017
93 people are currently reading
3672 people want to read
About the author
Michael Faudet
8 books1,611 followersMichael Faudet is the author of the international bestsellers Dirty Pretty Things, Bitter Sweet Love, Smoke & Mirrors, Winter of Summers, Cult of Two, and Playing with Matches. His books have been nominated in the Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Poetry.
Dirty Pretty Things was also selected by Sylvia Whitman, the owner of the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris, as one of her personal favorite books of 2016.
He frequently explores the intricacies of love, loss, relationships, and sex in poetry, prose, and short stories. His lyrical and often sensual writing continues to attract readers from all around the world.
Before turning his hand to writing books, Michael enjoyed a successful career in advertising as an award-winning executive creative director. He managed creative departments and developed advertising campaigns for major brands in many countries.
Michael is represented by the literary agency Writers House, New York. He currently lives in New Zealand in a little house by the sea with partner and author Lang Leav.
Dirty Pretty Things was also selected by Sylvia Whitman, the owner of the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris, as one of her personal favorite books of 2016.
He frequently explores the intricacies of love, loss, relationships, and sex in poetry, prose, and short stories. His lyrical and often sensual writing continues to attract readers from all around the world.
Before turning his hand to writing books, Michael enjoyed a successful career in advertising as an award-winning executive creative director. He managed creative departments and developed advertising campaigns for major brands in many countries.
Michael is represented by the literary agency Writers House, New York. He currently lives in New Zealand in a little house by the sea with partner and author Lang Leav.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
October 23, 2017
Just within this year, I was able to read the first two poetry books of Michael Faudet and I was quite disappointed, thus I have to rate them low. But this latest and soon to-be-published poetry book of Faudet is very impressive! I can count a lot of poems that are remarkably well-written most notably Destined To Be Yours, Love, and A Beautiful Deception. Once released, I would definitely obtain a copy because this is for keeps.
October 16, 2017
2.5 stars
Not as good as his first book, but better than his second one. I feel like his first collection was cool, but he never really created new poems. All his poems tell stories about the sexy escapades he's had with women. His use of language is sometimes creative, but it's not consistently pretty or thought-provoking. I'd recommend his first book, but the other two don't really do much for me. I started skim reading most of the longer pieces because they're repetitive and of average quality.
Not as good as his first book, but better than his second one. I feel like his first collection was cool, but he never really created new poems. All his poems tell stories about the sexy escapades he's had with women. His use of language is sometimes creative, but it's not consistently pretty or thought-provoking. I'd recommend his first book, but the other two don't really do much for me. I started skim reading most of the longer pieces because they're repetitive and of average quality.
October 22, 2017
I was a bit disappointed. It could have been so much more. The poet's voice is not lively. His poetry, a bit dull.
***I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
***I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
December 29, 2017
Michael Faudet is back!
I read his first book and loved it but I didn’t like his second book as much. This book, however, was on par with the first. I had so many favorites from this collection such as, “A Morning in Paris,” “You Lived for Books,” and “Romance.”
Overall, I love his poetry. It just resonates with me.
I read his first book and loved it but I didn’t like his second book as much. This book, however, was on par with the first. I had so many favorites from this collection such as, “A Morning in Paris,” “You Lived for Books,” and “Romance.”
Overall, I love his poetry. It just resonates with me.
September 14, 2019
Many pros and cons with this one, which leaves me unsure on how I feel about Faudet's third poetic anthology. Having never read from this author before, I was unsure what to expect. Many of his short stories focused on 'sexcapades' with various women in his past. Nothing wrong with these encounters but I wasn't sure what I was supposed to get from them. His poetry, for the most apart, was the type of raw and honest confrontation of emotion that I desired. Some, however, were a total of one line and I, again, struggled to find a lesson or message to take away from them. This is an author I'd be interested to read from again but perhaps this collection was not the right one for me.
October 12, 2017
Maybe it's just me (I RATHER DOUBT IT) or maybe there REALLY is something wrong - something really out-of-context in this AWFULLY short book.Now, don't get me wrong, but as a reader, I need the words to build up the tension first and THEN release it - like the clouds - to get REALLY involved in any book but in these already few words, I just couldn't feel ANYTHING AT ALL
There are nothing but incoherent snippets that our minds form day in and day out. I wouldn't say I HATED it but I was completely indifferent towards it. If only these ''poems'' had contained any real spark. If only the ''sensual love'' that the poet felt himself had been successfully conveyed on the paper as well. If only these words hadn't lacked the emotions, I'd have enjoyed it more.But poetry is supposed to make us feel - feel everything DEEPLY - and that JUST WASN'T THE CASE WITH THIS PARTICULAR ANTHOLOGY. It felt like I was reading a regular somebody's 2 AM thoughts and THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT!!! But let's just CALL A SPADE A SPADE - THIS WASN'T POETRY.
These were thoughts from someone's personal diary and I AM SORRY but the 'midnight musings' of an individual has no REAL meaning to anyone else EXCEPT the writer. Now, maybe this could've been different. Maybe the words hadn't been completely devoid of any depth BUT for THAT to happen, the reader has to feel the same FLOOD OF EMOTIONS that the writer feels while writing those words. Now, words NEED to have a life of their own - A BREATH OF THEIR OWN to make a lasting impact on reader. BUT 'Smoke and Mirrors' FAILED to make me feel anything WHICH IMMEDIATELY RENDERS IT FORGETTABLE. And that is NOT a mark of a good book. AND ESPECIALLY GOOD POETRY. The words lacked any REALITY OF THEIR OWN! These poems could've been in a DICTIONARY as far as I am concerned.
I AM SORRY to cause the poet any sting here BUT I'd not recommend this to anyone who knows what REAL POETRY IS.
There are nothing but incoherent snippets that our minds form day in and day out. I wouldn't say I HATED it but I was completely indifferent towards it. If only these ''poems'' had contained any real spark. If only the ''sensual love'' that the poet felt himself had been successfully conveyed on the paper as well. If only these words hadn't lacked the emotions, I'd have enjoyed it more.But poetry is supposed to make us feel - feel everything DEEPLY - and that JUST WASN'T THE CASE WITH THIS PARTICULAR ANTHOLOGY. It felt like I was reading a regular somebody's 2 AM thoughts and THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT!!! But let's just CALL A SPADE A SPADE - THIS WASN'T POETRY.
These were thoughts from someone's personal diary and I AM SORRY but the 'midnight musings' of an individual has no REAL meaning to anyone else EXCEPT the writer. Now, maybe this could've been different. Maybe the words hadn't been completely devoid of any depth BUT for THAT to happen, the reader has to feel the same FLOOD OF EMOTIONS that the writer feels while writing those words. Now, words NEED to have a life of their own - A BREATH OF THEIR OWN to make a lasting impact on reader. BUT 'Smoke and Mirrors' FAILED to make me feel anything WHICH IMMEDIATELY RENDERS IT FORGETTABLE. And that is NOT a mark of a good book. AND ESPECIALLY GOOD POETRY. The words lacked any REALITY OF THEIR OWN! These poems could've been in a DICTIONARY as far as I am concerned.
I AM SORRY to cause the poet any sting here BUT I'd not recommend this to anyone who knows what REAL POETRY IS.
September 12, 2017
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I crossed my fingers this collection will be my cup of tea. It's a variety of poems, quotes and short stories and honestly, it slightly improved. It's good Michael Faudet's erotic poems were toned down and explores more on love and relationship. Some of them are cheesy and cliché, some stood out like Pathways , A Long-Distance Relationship, The Hanging Tree and Nobody's Fool. However, there's one piece I didn't like: The Kitty Club. It's ridiculous.
I crossed my fingers this collection will be my cup of tea. It's a variety of poems, quotes and short stories and honestly, it slightly improved. It's good Michael Faudet's erotic poems were toned down and explores more on love and relationship. Some of them are cheesy and cliché, some stood out like Pathways , A Long-Distance Relationship, The Hanging Tree and Nobody's Fool. However, there's one piece I didn't like: The Kitty Club. It's ridiculous.
November 17, 2017
Romance seldom happens overnight.
Sometimes we have to grow
the roses before we can give them.
An ARC was provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for a review.
Michael Faudet's prose and poetry collection, Smoke & Mirrors , is my first read by the bestselling author-poet and I could say that I am very impressed by his exploration and embroidery of love, lust, and longing. His words were brush strokes against a dull world, sometimes the breaking open of seams and wounds long forgotten. These stories are the footprints the waves could never wash away.
I highly recommend it and would surely read Faudet’s other works.
September 21, 2017
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book was...weird. As in, I honestly thought for a while it was some kind of joke book. Or some kind of hipster "so hideous it's ironically good" crap. It's honestly that bad and that weird.
It read like it was written by either a teenager (melodramatic language, cliche one-liner platitudes, bizarrely graphic content) or by someone who *thinks* this is what POETRY should be (odd structures and rhyming schemes, nonsensical punctuation, bad metaphors).
Listen, I love poetry. I read a lot of it. I studied it in college. I'd like to think I can tell when something is well-done but not my taste versus when something is just bad. In this case, I really believe it's just BAD.
This book was...weird. As in, I honestly thought for a while it was some kind of joke book. Or some kind of hipster "so hideous it's ironically good" crap. It's honestly that bad and that weird.
It read like it was written by either a teenager (melodramatic language, cliche one-liner platitudes, bizarrely graphic content) or by someone who *thinks* this is what POETRY should be (odd structures and rhyming schemes, nonsensical punctuation, bad metaphors).
Listen, I love poetry. I read a lot of it. I studied it in college. I'd like to think I can tell when something is well-done but not my taste versus when something is just bad. In this case, I really believe it's just BAD.
Read
May 26, 2022// Received an advance reader copy in exchange of a fair review //
"Love is a little like religion. You need to have faith before miracles can happen."
this is just full of heartbreaking truths that are just so dam beautiful.
I am trash for poetry books but I am more trash for Micheal Faudet poetry books. It's all so eye opening and makes me heart ache in all the right ways that I am surprised I am still breathing right now.
"poetry can only be written by the heart"
"Love is a little like religion. You need to have faith before miracles can happen."
this is just full of heartbreaking truths that are just so dam beautiful.
I am trash for poetry books but I am more trash for Micheal Faudet poetry books. It's all so eye opening and makes me heart ache in all the right ways that I am surprised I am still breathing right now.
"poetry can only be written by the heart"
December 6, 2017
*4.5 Stars*
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Smoke & Mirrors was a collection of poetry, prose and short stories.
Some of it was incredibly beautiful, others were perfectly dirty, some deeply touched me and even brought me to tears.
I related to many of the texts...
So, basically, I seriously loved it.
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Smoke & Mirrors was a collection of poetry, prose and short stories.
Some of it was incredibly beautiful, others were perfectly dirty, some deeply touched me and even brought me to tears.
I related to many of the texts...
So, basically, I seriously loved it.
October 8, 2017
I don't read poetry books often but I've been meaning to pick up Michael Faudet's book for the longest time for some reason. Now, I've heard from some friends that many of his pieces are more on the erotic side and I have no problem with that since used to read NA romances. Or so I thought... I have a few favorite here and there but I also skipped a lot of pages because I was cringing and very uncomfortable reading them. For the pieces that I actually read, I think they're so expressive and lovely and makes me want to fall in love.
ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
December 8, 2017
Too many panties lol
It was ok overall.
It was ok overall.
February 25, 2018
Absence doesn't always make the heart grow fonder. Sometimes it just teaches us that we can live apart.
His third book and it's nice. :)
His third book and it's nice. :)
April 4, 2018
Most definitely my favourite of Faudet’s books.
Really enjoyed this
Really enjoyed this
November 14, 2017
Original review
This book was provided by the Publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing!
Smoke & Mirrors is a poetry collection full of poems, prose and short stories about falling in love, depression and heartbreak.
Smoke & Mirrors is yet another amazing poetry collection. This poetry collection has so many beautiful poems, prose and short stories. I like Smoke & Mirrors so much because it’s not only poetry but also so much more. It tells us a lot about love, broken hearts and feeling sad and depressed. It’s also special in a way I can’t describe. I read Smoke & Mirrors in one day because it was that good!
I cannot wait to read more of Michael Faudet’s work and here are the titles of my favourite poems:
Anticipation
Just Hold Me Tight
I Wish
Why Clouds Cry
Damaged Goods
Careless Words
The Love We Share
Perspective
Death
The Love You Give
The Words You Say
You Lived For Books
This book was provided by the Publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing!
Smoke & Mirrors is a poetry collection full of poems, prose and short stories about falling in love, depression and heartbreak.
Smoke & Mirrors is yet another amazing poetry collection. This poetry collection has so many beautiful poems, prose and short stories. I like Smoke & Mirrors so much because it’s not only poetry but also so much more. It tells us a lot about love, broken hearts and feeling sad and depressed. It’s also special in a way I can’t describe. I read Smoke & Mirrors in one day because it was that good!
I cannot wait to read more of Michael Faudet’s work and here are the titles of my favourite poems:
Anticipation
Just Hold Me Tight
I Wish
Why Clouds Cry
Damaged Goods
Careless Words
The Love We Share
Perspective
Death
The Love You Give
The Words You Say
You Lived For Books
dnf
December 1, 20175/10/17
I wrote a mini review on my September Wrap-Up here but let me just say this was the worst poetry collection I have ever read.
I wrote a mini review on my September Wrap-Up here but let me just say this was the worst poetry collection I have ever read.
December 23, 2017
well. that was bad.
having rated faudet’s last two collections 1 star each, i was expecting this to not be great. like i can’t stress how low my expectations were for this. i didn’t like dirty pretty things or bitter sweet love as collections, but in both of those, there were still a few poems i liked. i can honestly say i only kind of liked one poem in this. i was liking another one, but then the last line ruined it for me.
here’s the thing: these collections always frustrate me because i can see the potential in them and i can notice some of the pretty writing, but they never reach that potential and they end up sort of flopping.
i should probably stop reading these (mostly because it honestly makes me feel bad to keep reading his works knowing i won’t like then), but then again maybe the next one will be better??????(srsly doubt it soz)
idk, as can be seen this didn’t impress me at all. i would not recommend it, but people seem to like faudet’s poetry, so try it out????i guess
having rated faudet’s last two collections 1 star each, i was expecting this to not be great. like i can’t stress how low my expectations were for this. i didn’t like dirty pretty things or bitter sweet love as collections, but in both of those, there were still a few poems i liked. i can honestly say i only kind of liked one poem in this. i was liking another one, but then the last line ruined it for me.
here’s the thing: these collections always frustrate me because i can see the potential in them and i can notice some of the pretty writing, but they never reach that potential and they end up sort of flopping.
i should probably stop reading these (mostly because it honestly makes me feel bad to keep reading his works knowing i won’t like then), but then again maybe the next one will be better??????(srsly doubt it soz)
idk, as can be seen this didn’t impress me at all. i would not recommend it, but people seem to like faudet’s poetry, so try it out????i guess
November 2, 2017
This not-so-thick book contains poems and proses, mostly poems. Reading it, in general, I liked it. Very much a big fan of the author's writing style, and the publishing house's editing and proof-reading. All in high quality.
I like reading poems with/from different perspectives. Most poems show various aspects of love in the era of modernity. It could grow deeper, broader.
I like reading poems with/from different perspectives. Most poems show various aspects of love in the era of modernity. It could grow deeper, broader.
October 6, 2017
Me ha parecido un libro sin sentido. Dicen que es de poesía pero hay relatos que parecen historias cortas.
La verdad es que no me ha gustado, no hay ningún poema que me haya hecho sentir algo y respecto al aspecto sexual, es la razón por la que me ha desagradado totalmente.
La verdad es que no me ha gustado, no hay ningún poema que me haya hecho sentir algo y respecto al aspecto sexual, es la razón por la que me ha desagradado totalmente.
December 15, 2017
I could feel myself losing brain cells as I read
March 1, 2019
It’s was alright although this is Probably my last time reading from this writer.
September 24, 2017
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is pretty much all about sex. The poems are not bad, in fact some of them are really good, but others felt like they were just there so the book could have more pages.
I liked Michael Faudet's tone but I was expecting more of this collection.
It was love that transcended even the most vibrant of colors, beautiful in its simplicity-written in black and white upon two beating hearts for all the world to read.
When I'm with you, love needs no explanation. It just is and we just are.
Whenever you spoke, your voice was like music. A symphony composed by the very lips I longed to kiss.
This book is pretty much all about sex. The poems are not bad, in fact some of them are really good, but others felt like they were just there so the book could have more pages.
I liked Michael Faudet's tone but I was expecting more of this collection.
It was love that transcended even the most vibrant of colors, beautiful in its simplicity-written in black and white upon two beating hearts for all the world to read.
When I'm with you, love needs no explanation. It just is and we just are.
Whenever you spoke, your voice was like music. A symphony composed by the very lips I longed to kiss.
November 26, 2025
I’m convinced that Michael Faudet doesn’t know what a poem is.
September 14, 2017
It was alright, but I felt like I've read most of these lines before ("impossible to resist", etc) in the first two books. I wrote down a few words, however:
There were so many paths I could have taken in my life (...). Perhaps I should have followed my instincts (...). I ended up choosing the path of least resistance. The one that looked the easiest. Only to discover it was made of quicksand.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
There were so many paths I could have taken in my life (...). Perhaps I should have followed my instincts (...). I ended up choosing the path of least resistance. The one that looked the easiest. Only to discover it was made of quicksand.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2017
After reading Faudet's Dirty Pretty Things and Bitter Sweet Love; I knew I wanted to pick up his next collection of poetry. My prayers were answered when I was browsing NetGalley and I saw it was available to read immediately!
Synopsis: Michael Faudet’s latest book takes the reader on an emotionally charged journey, exploring the joys of falling madly in love and the melancholy world of the brokenhearted. Beautifully captured in poetry, prose, and short stories, Faudet's whimsical and sometimes erotic writing has captured the hearts and minds of thousands of readers from around the world.
- Description from NetGalley.
Review: Unfortunately, the first poem was bitterly disappointing. I expected a much better, more emotional poem to introduce you to the book and make you want to read on. I got a pretentious one liner. I genuinely preferred the wording of Faudet's Introduction to this poem. It gripped me more.
"Love is a little like religion. You need to have faith before miracles can happen."
I did enjoy a few of his poems, such as the above, Faith. Another few I liked were Lonely; Casablanca; A Long-Distance Relationship. These poems had the beautiful description and imagery I was expecting from Faudet, and I felt every word as I read them. These poems were full to the brim with emotion and heart. These are the ones I thought reflected Michael's soul.
However, I really didn't like The Kitty Club. It was erotic, almost a short story, and not at all enjoyable. The erotica was average, and there was no depth to the story or even the words he used. I was stunned that this was even included in the book in the first place.
"They say time heals all wounds.
I say, whoever said that doesn't fucking know about how I felt about you.
Still feel about you." - excerpt from The Party
The final poem, Smoke & Mirrors was my absolute favourite. It was again almost a short story, but it was sooo much better than the last one I mentioned. It featured a best friend called Jasmine, and a suitcase full of memories she burns in order to truly rid herself of the man who made them. She is transgender, and the suitcase is full of clothes worn by her previous self - James.
Overall, I enjoyed this poetry collection. Faudet has a way with words and when he uses them to the best of his ability, it is truly art. The first poem and a few others weren't so breathtaking. It felt like he was forcing words out in order to fill a book. His previous books were better, but this one is worth a read even if it's just for the amazing final poem.
I give this book an overall rating of ☆☆☆.5 and would recommend it to fans of his previous work, and also fans of his partner, Lang Leav.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for making this book available!
Synopsis: Michael Faudet’s latest book takes the reader on an emotionally charged journey, exploring the joys of falling madly in love and the melancholy world of the brokenhearted. Beautifully captured in poetry, prose, and short stories, Faudet's whimsical and sometimes erotic writing has captured the hearts and minds of thousands of readers from around the world.
- Description from NetGalley.
Review: Unfortunately, the first poem was bitterly disappointing. I expected a much better, more emotional poem to introduce you to the book and make you want to read on. I got a pretentious one liner. I genuinely preferred the wording of Faudet's Introduction to this poem. It gripped me more.
"Love is a little like religion. You need to have faith before miracles can happen."
I did enjoy a few of his poems, such as the above, Faith. Another few I liked were Lonely; Casablanca; A Long-Distance Relationship. These poems had the beautiful description and imagery I was expecting from Faudet, and I felt every word as I read them. These poems were full to the brim with emotion and heart. These are the ones I thought reflected Michael's soul.
However, I really didn't like The Kitty Club. It was erotic, almost a short story, and not at all enjoyable. The erotica was average, and there was no depth to the story or even the words he used. I was stunned that this was even included in the book in the first place.
"They say time heals all wounds.
I say, whoever said that doesn't fucking know about how I felt about you.
Still feel about you." - excerpt from The Party
The final poem, Smoke & Mirrors was my absolute favourite. It was again almost a short story, but it was sooo much better than the last one I mentioned. It featured a best friend called Jasmine, and a suitcase full of memories she burns in order to truly rid herself of the man who made them. She is transgender, and the suitcase is full of clothes worn by her previous self - James.
Overall, I enjoyed this poetry collection. Faudet has a way with words and when he uses them to the best of his ability, it is truly art. The first poem and a few others weren't so breathtaking. It felt like he was forcing words out in order to fill a book. His previous books were better, but this one is worth a read even if it's just for the amazing final poem.
I give this book an overall rating of ☆☆☆.5 and would recommend it to fans of his previous work, and also fans of his partner, Lang Leav.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for making this book available!
October 7, 2017
I have a love hate relationship with Faudet but reading his poems is always a guilty pleasure.
February 16, 2018
2.5 stars
Originally posted on: The Quirky Book Nerd
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Smoke & Mirrors was just one of those collections that did not click with me. The quality of writing and the messages being conveyed were not completely lost on me. The poems were generally comprehendible, and I was able to immerse myself in the work enough to get through to the end—but that was about it. At times, Faudet’s style was quite off-putting, and that caused a massive disconnect for me and blocked out any important ideas and themes. I found nothing really stood out, nothing touched me or had the impact that the author clearly intended his writing to have.
This collection as a whole does not seem like it would be easily accessible to a wide variety of readers. To me, these poems were not very poetic. The poems that had more of that proclaimed “whimsy” to them were the ones that I enjoyed the most. There were displays of love, heartbreak, happiness, and loss. These poems spoke to me—they were subjects I could connect to—and he phrased these topics in a beautiful way. Through the very beginning of this collected work, I felt much more engaged.
But then, many of the other poems in the next two thirds or so seemed very rough and graphic, taking away any lyrical aspects of the writing. Part way through the collection, the subject matter shifts abruptly into much more mature topics, which in itself is not an issue at all—poetry deals with all sorts of topics, from basic emotions to the more intimate aspects of life. The trouble I had was with the way he worded these things. I just found myself feeling uncomfortable, sometimes verging on disgusted. Again though, this is my personal opinion—definitely not a reflection of how everything comes across to every reader.
I read many positive reviews of Faudet’s work prior to picking this collection up, and I can see how his subject matter and use of language would appeal to some people. His subject matter and voice are, like most poets, very singular and attract different types of readers. This particularly came across as a very niche style—the way he portrays his thoughts and feelings is very unique and very direct. However, his writing was just not for me, and I don’t think I will be picking up any of his other collections in the future.
Originally posted on: The Quirky Book Nerd
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Smoke & Mirrors was just one of those collections that did not click with me. The quality of writing and the messages being conveyed were not completely lost on me. The poems were generally comprehendible, and I was able to immerse myself in the work enough to get through to the end—but that was about it. At times, Faudet’s style was quite off-putting, and that caused a massive disconnect for me and blocked out any important ideas and themes. I found nothing really stood out, nothing touched me or had the impact that the author clearly intended his writing to have.
This collection as a whole does not seem like it would be easily accessible to a wide variety of readers. To me, these poems were not very poetic. The poems that had more of that proclaimed “whimsy” to them were the ones that I enjoyed the most. There were displays of love, heartbreak, happiness, and loss. These poems spoke to me—they were subjects I could connect to—and he phrased these topics in a beautiful way. Through the very beginning of this collected work, I felt much more engaged.
But then, many of the other poems in the next two thirds or so seemed very rough and graphic, taking away any lyrical aspects of the writing. Part way through the collection, the subject matter shifts abruptly into much more mature topics, which in itself is not an issue at all—poetry deals with all sorts of topics, from basic emotions to the more intimate aspects of life. The trouble I had was with the way he worded these things. I just found myself feeling uncomfortable, sometimes verging on disgusted. Again though, this is my personal opinion—definitely not a reflection of how everything comes across to every reader.
I read many positive reviews of Faudet’s work prior to picking this collection up, and I can see how his subject matter and use of language would appeal to some people. His subject matter and voice are, like most poets, very singular and attract different types of readers. This particularly came across as a very niche style—the way he portrays his thoughts and feelings is very unique and very direct. However, his writing was just not for me, and I don’t think I will be picking up any of his other collections in the future.
August 7, 2019
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As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way. (4.5 stars out of 5)
Oh, I've been so overwhelmed with wonderful poetry lately. All this prose, all this intimacy, makes me feel full of some sort of emotion I can't quite express. Michael Faudet is, as per usual, exquisite in the way his prose comes to life. There's something fulfilling about even his shortest of expressions and I cannot get enough of it. I mean that--it's not as though his work is flaw free (no one's is) but at the end of the day it accomplishes everything it was meat to do.
I loved the way that intimacy--far, wide, casual--was explored. There were many standouts that I can't wait to highlight in a physical copy upon its release because, much like with Rupi Kaur, Sabrina Benaim, Amanda Lovelace, Lang Leav and Alicia Cook it's impossible to not feel something at every turn of pen. Isn't that what we all love about poetry to begin with? To fell--compelled, related, understood. To learn.
Smoke & Mirrors accomplishes something that is truly captivating to readers. Not overly explicit, not understated, not anything other than what it is and was meant to be. I loved nearly every page of this release and can't wait to get my hands on more work published by Faudet because it just crackles with fiery life. That sounded dumb. I'm just really hyped, okay?
A must-have for all lovers of prose. This is one of the best releases of 2017 in terms of poetry.
As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way. (4.5 stars out of 5)
Oh, I've been so overwhelmed with wonderful poetry lately. All this prose, all this intimacy, makes me feel full of some sort of emotion I can't quite express. Michael Faudet is, as per usual, exquisite in the way his prose comes to life. There's something fulfilling about even his shortest of expressions and I cannot get enough of it. I mean that--it's not as though his work is flaw free (no one's is) but at the end of the day it accomplishes everything it was meat to do.
I loved the way that intimacy--far, wide, casual--was explored. There were many standouts that I can't wait to highlight in a physical copy upon its release because, much like with Rupi Kaur, Sabrina Benaim, Amanda Lovelace, Lang Leav and Alicia Cook it's impossible to not feel something at every turn of pen. Isn't that what we all love about poetry to begin with? To fell--compelled, related, understood. To learn.
Smoke & Mirrors accomplishes something that is truly captivating to readers. Not overly explicit, not understated, not anything other than what it is and was meant to be. I loved nearly every page of this release and can't wait to get my hands on more work published by Faudet because it just crackles with fiery life. That sounded dumb. I'm just really hyped, okay?
A must-have for all lovers of prose. This is one of the best releases of 2017 in terms of poetry.
February 18, 2018
Smoke & Mirrors is a collection of poetry, prose and short stories. Beautifully written and deeply fascinating, it was a welcome reprieve for me. I took my time with it, rereading many parts that I loved and I found myself relaxing despite all the stress I’ve been feeling lately. It was a very much needed relaxation for me. So for that, thank you Mr. Michael Faudet.
At first, I was afraid of reading smoke & mirrors because of the disappointment I felt with the last three poetry books I’ve read. But I was completely in the wrong because this collection is a total delight from start to finish and I loved it so much. Even those little poems that were really short, I loved because I understood what the author was trying to say. His way of telling his stories and thoughts is a work of beauty and magic.
voice both tender and haunting. I felt every feeling he was trying to awake by his words from despair to love to nostalgia and the melancholy lovers feel when they go their separate ways. I really appreciated how the collection felt effortless to me like the author was not trying too hard to touch us and make us see but everything he wrote came from the heart and in the heart it resides. There’s an openness that I really respect and admire. It is easily grasped and cherished.
Even the most eloquent lie becomes vulgar when exposed to the truth.
At first, I was afraid of reading smoke & mirrors because of the disappointment I felt with the last three poetry books I’ve read. But I was completely in the wrong because this collection is a total delight from start to finish and I loved it so much. Even those little poems that were really short, I loved because I understood what the author was trying to say. His way of telling his stories and thoughts is a work of beauty and magic.
You held my heart in hands cupped—
a chalice emptied
by love’s betrayal,
treachery concealed
within a kiss,
the poison sipped
by innocent lips.
voice both tender and haunting. I felt every feeling he was trying to awake by his words from despair to love to nostalgia and the melancholy lovers feel when they go their separate ways. I really appreciated how the collection felt effortless to me like the author was not trying too hard to touch us and make us see but everything he wrote came from the heart and in the heart it resides. There’s an openness that I really respect and admire. It is easily grasped and cherished.
When you say goodbye, please whisper it. Better still, say nothing and just tiptoe quietly out of my life.
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