Customer Reviews

Burning in Paradise

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Well, it would be far too easy to blurt out something like "the best since Bukowski" and stuff. Truth is Michael Madsen is a real good actor, a fine poet, and probably a very tormented man (don't wanna get into inane psychobabble here, anyway). BURNING IN PARADISE is life as it happens: not such a pretty sight. Oh, and forget all the other actors-cum-poets (or singers, novelists, whatever) wannabes. Madsen is in a class all by himself.

This book is worth double the price. Michael Madsen has an absolutely amazing way with words and looking at life as it is. You can not read this book without having it hit you somewhere deep inside, even if you don't want to admit it. This man can see through all the layers of life and captures them perfectly.

I THOUGHT THAT THIS BOOK TOUCHED MY SOUL IT MADE ME CRY FOR THE SITUATIONS I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AND FOR THE ONES I'VE BEEN IN. HIS WRITING MADE THE HAIR ON THE BACK OF MY NECK STAND ON END IT GOT TO ME THAT MUCH. AT LAST A BOOK THAT MADE ME WANT TO READ IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

Fantastic look inside a part of a man's soul. This book touched me unlike any others as some of it hit very close to home. Madsen doesn't shy away from the truth, no matter how brutal or beautiful. Particularly liked 'Virtue'. From a woman who appreciates hearing an honest opinion from a real man ... thanks Michael. Hope you write more.

I never really liked the rain, it was an obstacle in my life that I never dealt with. I heard back in 94 that Madsen had a book coming out called Beer, Blood and Ashes so I looked forever for it, until last year I found it under the name Burning in Paradise. And so after I read it, I forced it on everyone i know, I can't seem to quit smoking cause of him. and now when it rains, I go walking in it, and I take my time doing it so I am in no rush to my destination. And I gave vodka another chance.

Michael Madsen delivers to his readers truth, dare and hard edge consequences. He makes us look deep into our souls and ask ourselves some of lifes most difficult questions. Burning In Paradise will wake you from your dreams and make you remember your nightmares.

Although many will not find Madsen's poetry to their taste due to its hard edges, these poems are multi-faceted dark jewels. There is a definite edginess to his poems, encased as they are in matter-of-fact language, but the emotions filtering through them seize your heart, cast shadows on your soul, and, sometimes, bring a smile to your lips. In a nutshell, Madsen's poetry is shadowy, gripping, soul-searching, elusive, thoughtful, and beautiful. His poems are black-and-white photographs of his life, but they contain elements with which I am also very familiar from my own life.

Michael Madsen is on his way to becoming one of America's premier bad boy poets! The Zippo lighter on the cover is just a spark for the fire within this book. With his effortless use of the language of Shakespeare, Mr. Madsen has left me with a strong desire to read another book with less than 170 pages. There are a lot of "authors" out there writing 3, 4, even five hundred page books that don't say half of what Madsen says in just 160 easy to read pages! Down with thick books! Viva Madsen!

I never thought I could possibly relate so purely and completely to poetry as I can to Michael Madsens' poems and short stories. Yes, it is raunchy and he writes street-language even I can understand and yes it is better than Kerouac, but most of all he paints a pictures of thoughts and emotions I thought noone else could ever understand. It truely feels like finding a kindred spirit and like there would be no further need of talking if we ever met, because we would share the same thoughts and the pain and the darkness of life would be in our eyes.

his peotry definately walks on the shady path, skirting around an essence that is close to Keroac.I enjoy his short tales of rough housing and other tales of life. One thing about it, is it doesn't seem contrived, or fake, which is a good thing for me. But there are other aspects of this book , i can't put my finger on it, that seems odd, or not connecting.