Book Review: “Shades of Life”

• Title: Shades of Life

• Author: Emma Hilson-Gregory

• Collaborators:

  • Illustrator: Marie Moldovan

  • Editor: Alycia Hodge

• Publication Date: July 19, 2023

• Language: English

• Format: Paperback

• ISBN-10: 1739039173

• ISBN-13: 978-1739039172

• Dimensions: 15.24 x 0.86 x 22.86 cm

Synopsis: “Shades of Life”

Shades of Life is a poetic exploration that delves into the intricate hues of the human experience. Emma Hilson-Gregory masterfully blends emotions, exposing the delicate interplay between light and darkness. Here are the publications key highlights:

1. Colorful Penmanship:

   • Hilson-Gregory’s words cast an array of tints and tinges across the pages. From the dark stains of tragedy to the bright tones of innocence and triumph, she paints life’s canvas with vivid strokes.

   • Each poem reveals a different shade—sometimes cool and shadowed, other times intense and radiant.

2. Embracing Vulnerability:

   • The poet fearlessly explores pain, loss, hopelessness, and sadness. She acknowledges the moments when life doesn’t go as expected.

   • Through her verses, readers find solace in the shared human experience—the tears, the struggle, and the resilience.

3. Collaborative Artistry:

   • Accompanying Hilson-Gregory’s words are black-and-white artwork and imagery by Marie Moldovan. These visuals enhance the emotional landscape, adding depth and intensity.

   • Alycia Hodge’s editorial finesse ensures a seamless reading journey.

4. The Wonder of Living:

   • Shades of Life reminds us that it’s okay to cry, to not feel okay, and to hold onto love and hope. Even in the darkest shades, there exists a glimmer of light.

In this collection, readers will discover the beauty of vulnerability, the power of resilience, and the richness of the human soul. Whether you’re sipping coffee alone or seeking meaning in shared experiences, Shades of Life invites you to explore life’s full spectrum.

Writing Style:

Emma Hilson-Gregory weaves her poetic tapestry in Shades of Life with a style that embraces both vulnerability and vivid imagery. Here are the defining aspects of her writing:

1. Colorful Penmanship:

   • Hilson-Gregory’s verses cast an array of tints and tinges across the pages. She paints life’s canvas with hues that range from the dark stains of tragedy to the bright tones of innocence and triumph.

   • Her words evoke emotions, revealing the delicate interplay between light and darkness within the human experience.

2. Honest Exploration:

   • Fearlessly, she dives into the depths of pain, loss, hopelessness, and sadness. These emotions resonate with readers who have faced life’s complexities.

   • The poet acknowledges that life doesn’t always unfold as expected, yet our will to carry on and hold onto love and hope remains part of the wonder of living.

3. Collaborative Artistry:

   • Accompanying her words are black-and-white artwork and imagery by Marie Moldovan. These visuals enhance the emotional landscape, adding depth and intensity.

   • Moldovan’s crosshatching technique brings playful images from the shadows and fills them with a darkness that is felt.

4. Emotional Spectrum:

   • Shades of Life spans the entire emotional spectrum. It taps into the inner child and also confronts the heavier-hearted realities of life.

   • Through her mighty pen, Hilson-Gregory invites readers to explore the shades of their own existence.

Pros:

1. Eloquent Verses: Hilson-Gregory’s lyrical prose captures the essence of fleeting moments. Her metaphors dance gracefully across the page, evoking emotions that resonate long after the last stanza.

2. Emotional Honesty: The poet fearlessly delves into the complexities of the human heart. She acknowledges pain, loss, and longing, yet also celebrates love, hope, and redemption.

3. Collaborative Artistry: Marie Moldovan’s illustrations enhance the text, adding visual layers to the emotional landscape. Alycia Hodge’s editorial finesse ensures a seamless reading experience.

Cons:

1. Occasional Ambiguity: Some poems leave room for interpretation, which may delight or frustrate readers depending on their preference for explicit meaning.

2. Limited Exploration of Joy: While sorrow is beautifully rendered, the collection could benefit from more exploration of joy and triumph.

A bit about the author…

Emma Hilson Gregory is a first-time author whose poetry was discovered on her Facebook blog “Shades of Life” by the editor of the “I ain't Your Marionette” Press, Marie Moldovan.

Emma was born in South Africa on the 18th of May 1975. Her clinically depressed mother committed suicide when she was 15 months old, and she was raised by her father, whom she adored. When he died of liver cancer, when Emma was eight, she was transplanted to the United States to live with an aunt, uncle, and cousins. Both Emma and her new family battled to adjust, and after just a few months, she was taken to the United Kingdom and made a ward of the British Courts. This, in spite of the fact that Emma’s grandmother and uncle had spacious homes in London and in Surrey. On her mother’s side, her grandparents lived in Switzerland.  Emma has a happy memory of visiting them once when she was younger and learning to ski.

Emma spent two years living in a State-run home for children in a suburb outside of London before she was fostered to a family with children of their own. Her time among them was traumatic and unhappy.

In her late 20’s, her first daughter was born to a man who abandoned her. Then. Emma met a man who became the love of her life, the father of two of her daughters. After ten years of happy marriage, he developed an illness and died in 2014.

Emma now lives in the United Kingdom with her partner and three cats. She loves to paint, listen to music, and read; she is skilled at crochet and knitting.

Her poetry is the expression of a deeply troubled life of pain and a sense of abandonment. In her writing, she encapsulates her sadness of the loss she has experienced, her bewilderment at life’s cruelty. Despite this, Emma is an optimist, always willing to look on the bright side and to find gratitude in the smallest things.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Availability:

Available at major bookstores and online retailers such as Amazon.

Final Thoughts:

Shades of Life is a poetic journey that beckons readers to embrace life’s full spectrum. Whether you’re sipping coffee in solitude or seeking solace in shared experiences, this book offers companionship. Hilson-Gregory’s words remind us that even in the darkest shades, there exists a glimmer of light—a reason to keep turning the pages.

More about EMMA and Shades of Life can be found on Emma's Author Page

 Sincerely,

Marie Moldovan 

CEO of I Ain't Your Marionette Press