Collection of Poetry and Prose: from Young Mystic

Title: Collection of Poetry and Prose: from Young Mystic
Author: Evan Shaw
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 978-1479381098
Pages: 96, Paperback/Kindle
Genre: Poetry

Reviewed by: Dr. Ernest Holloway, Pacific Book Review

Book Review

Written in a style of personal revelations within his maturing mind, questioning the “why” and realizing the “where” we are as a society, Evan Shaw strives to answer questions pondered by other literary icons. He is influenced by writers including the essayist, lecturer and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson of the Transcendentalist movement, the German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the English romantic William Wordsworth and Joseph Campbell, the contemporary (yet recently deceased)mythologist know for his phrase, “Follow your bliss.”

In one of his works, Evan Shaw wrote eloquently about his fanciful adventure to the lost city of Atlantis, taking on a first person narrative with many interesting observations. Especially keen was his description on the educational system and importance bestowed by teachers. LUX ET VERITAS, Latin for “Light and truth” was painted with colorful vibrant colors, on a wall in the main plaza, bringing into focus the philosophy of this advanced ancient culture. Frankly I would have enjoyed a Novelette of this story, along with complex character development and plot machinations. Perhaps this may someday become a theme for future works.

His grasp on existence is written midway through his book under the chapter called The Universal Thread. Citing words by Emerson, Shaw extrapolates the dichotomy of life and thought as he metaphysically brought in his own tangent of explanation for this realization which has captivated human thought since the beginning.

Some comic relief is laced throughout his book. One story in particular was when Pablo Picasso was asked to draw a picture for a fee. Taking only moments and drawing on a napkin, Picasso asked the man, “A million dollars please.” The man claimed it only took him 30 seconds, and surely a million dollars is not justified. Picasso replied, “Yes, but it took me fifty years to learn how to draw that in thirty seconds.”

Evan Show shows remarkable promise and maturity in his Collection of Poetry and Prose. Having the pleasure of being introduced to this young man’s work, I certainly encourage him to continue developing his skills, so as to one day possibly enjoy the status of immortality within the ranks of literary geniuses such as those he so admires.