Book Review: The Price of Breathing
Updated: 21 hours ago
by Melanie Faith
I had never read a novel-in-poetry, and didn’t know that was a thing, until I read Melanie Faith’s first such book, DOES IT LOOK LIKE HER. While I don’t want to compare that to her newest book, because the stories are so different, I will say that the author has upped the threshold of excellence in her recently released THE PRICE OF BREATHING.
Spare as the era of 1951 and the place of the blue-collar West, Helen and Henry are a couple who came together in their middle age. Of the “we love one another, but don’t say it much” ethos, they’re doing fine together. But then Henry gets a letter from Flora, his first love of some twenty years ago. She tells him she’s in an iron lung due to polio, and would he come visit her?
Henry feels compelled to go, which understandably upsets his wife. And so begins a mid-life journey for all three that’ll either drive Henry and Helen closer together, or farther apart.
I love poetry, but I especially love this book and how the poems seamlessly move between the voices of each character and fully capture their personalities, hopes and fears. At the same time, the poems are razor-sharp, yet tender scenes that make us feel the pain of all three.
If you’re not much for poetry because it’s often too abstract, this is the book for you. The language and story are just breathtaking!
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For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website: MarthaEngber.com.
SCATTERED LIGHT, a novel, sequel to WINTER LIGHT
THE FALCON, THE WOLF AND THE HUMMINGBIRD a historical novel
BLISS ROAD, a memoir
WINTER LIGHT, a novel, in paperback and audiobook
THE WIND THIEF, a novel
GROWING GREAT CHARACTERS, a resource for writers
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