The Humanist presents the debut collection of the poet Matthew Gasda. It is a collection, above all other things, about the primacy of the imagination over boredom, fear, and ultimately, death. The Humanist argues that a meaningful life is not something that we must construct out the void. Rather, it contends that meaning is given to us as children, and that it may be uncovered not in rational reflection, but in a deep awareness of our own memories and feelings.
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Customer Reviews
“ It is a sense of youth which Coetzee himself would be proud, brought forth by the longing for and experiences of love carefully interwoven into all of Gasda's writing. ”
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
In his (from what I've researched) first book of poetry, Mr. Gasda crafts beautiful words around intimate settings of nature and love. Without being verbose, he manages to convey these scenes in detail that will leave the reader with a sense of fulfillment and a newfound appreciation for a literary art that has almost been forgotten. The best part of this collection is that while you're reading it, you can sense the love and passion Mr. Gasda has for the work he has dedicated himself to. The result of that dedication is a splendid collection of poetry from a young and emerging artist. I hope to see Mr. Gasda receive many recognitions for his work and I look forward to is next publication.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Recommended by a friend of a friend...very pleased with Gasda's work. The kind of book you carry around to read at spare moments, e.g. while waiting for the subway, and then life suddenly takes on an extraordinary color. Extremely personal poems that somehow escape point-of-view, and are about what all of us experience, or long to experience.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Corinna
This work is a refreshing reminder that youth is still earnest, that love is still exploration, and that philosophy and beauty are still relevant frameworks with which to view the world. I would recommend this collection to anyone who is or who has ever been young. Literary Laundry has once again provided a platform for meaningful art that is too easily lost in the world of modern publication.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous - that's all I can really say.
Having supported him through the creation and publication of this collection of work, I expected the work to be good. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Simone Carlston
5.0 out of 5 stars
Youth
Each review for Gasda's preliminary publication houses the same lingering sensation felt by those who have read and been moved by his work, that of being young. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Anon
5.0 out of 5 stars
A lovely union of feelings
The Humanist is about love, about sensations, about the conjunction of the past and the present. It is about those youth experiences that may at the time be taken for granted but... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Andreina Insausti
5.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshing and Thought-provoking
This collection has reminded me that there is still a place in this world for young people who are hard-working, passionate and driven to achieve their dreams, even if those dreams... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Theresa Mandery
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