Customer Reviews

Towards Understanding

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"Mrs. Brummet takes you on a journey of her past life, a life that she worked hard at to stay afloat. I must say that during my reading of Towards Understanding, I realized that Lillian was able to touch on real feelings and real issues that are in our everyday lives. Her poetry makes you think, painting a picture of that moment she is describing. One of my favorites, Survivor, reveals her inner strength with honesty. Towards Understanding is written with determination and reverence. Spilling her heart in words, Lillian shows that she is a fighter. A fighter, who endures several rounds and makes it a point to get back up, and face another challenge."

~ Marguerite Ashton, author of Taylini - A Family Saga and Traci's Story (
www.ryze.com/go/bellarose26
www.publishedauthors.net/margueriteashton

'Towards Understanding' by Lillian Brummet is an absorbing and interesting collection of poetry, which displays the author's great depth of emotion. This book takes the reader on Lillian's journey of self-discovery. Her choice of words allow for the perfect visuals. I got a clear sense of her inner turmoil at the beginning of the book, as she so honestly expresses herself with skilled writing ability. As the poetry evolved chronologically, I was able to feel her personal growth. I enjoyed reading this book.
- Debra A. Warren, author of 'Pausing to Catch my Breath'
ISBN #: 1-4137-6747-8

"There is but a child in me, waiting to escape. To see the wonders of the world, And rid herself of hate" writes Lillian Brummet, in the poem "Trapped", which illustrates a longing for the love she had not experienced during childhood. Lillian is a free-lance writer and her first full-length book of poetry entitled, Towards Understanding, adequately reflects this collection of poems in its entirety... Every poem is a journal - a poetic diary that deals with trials and overcoming strife. Her muses genuinely articulate anger, love, disappointment, friendship and endeavors to understand others. Lillian's style of writings consists of mostly rhyme with a touch of free verse. My personal favorite is "Bad Weather", not only because she cleverly uses nature as a metaphor to depict her mood, but also because she showed superb use of imagery when describing how gloom becomes tangled in her hair. This book is organized in chronological order according to the year in which the work was written. Those who like reading poetry that questions society and depicts true life experiences will enjoy this book of poetry."

Towards Understanding by Lillian Brummet, is a book of soul-searching poetry spanning many experiences in the life of the author. We see life through her eyes as she has gone through many difficult experiences. Brummet has a true poet's eye for detail, description, and emotion and carries the reader along on her journey. Rather than deny or hide our past, we need to face and deal with the pain and sorrow in life in order to get beyond it to better things. It is obvious that while Brummet has indeed suffered, she has not only survived but thrived! I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to others who enjoy soul-searching poetry!" - Michelle True, editor, speaker, and author of: "True Reflections," "True Emotions," "True Identities" and publisher/contributor of "Reflections: An Anthology of Poetry by Poetic License Writers Group" and "In Katrina's Wake: An Anthology of Inspirational Poetry" (100% of profits from "In Katrina's Wake" and 10% of my other profits are donated to American Red Cross) www.MichelleAileneTrue.com

This has got to be one of the best books of survival and overcoming the odds that I have ever read. If you are looking for a book that will unveil a girl who grows beyond the raw feelings and the deep pain caused by abandonment and loss of self - this book is for you. Lillian's environmental poetry and her gripping, and sometimes shocking, views of society are so honest that they will have you rethinking your life.

Why not read a young ladies open heart, mind and soul she pours out on paper with words so beautifully decorated? Let yourself live in someone else's eyes and walk their steps. When you open this book you step into a world of a pouring waterfall of emotions. Why not learn from someone else's eyes? I pose that question. Know all you have to do is take the first step.

Towards Understanding

by
Lillian Brummet

Reviewed
by
Ameasha
Brown

Let me begin by saying that Lillian Brummet yanked on the very stings of my heart. In her book Towards Understanding, every poem, every verse, every word that she penned was a representation of periods in my life. For I have lived and felt the very words she has written and I am fifty - four years of age. I am speculating that she is in her early thirties and to have journeyed life's paths and endured such raw, heart wrenching experiences so early in life would make the strongest tremble. Through her poetry, the words reach out to the reader who can find solace and peace knowing that they are not a lone. With each poem there is a marking of years which in turn shows growth, not only as a poetess, but as a young woman. As she pours out her life on paper, she is fighting her inner demons, learning to love herself, getting to know her true inner self, and through all the trials and tribulations finds freedom. Her poems brought me to tears as I sobbed remembering my years, that have so swiftly past, the good, the bad and sometimes ugly. As I read her book, there was this definite connection. One can tell by reading her poems that she has developed into an independent and strong woman and is the ideal role model for young women and men. Her poems are filled with truth and honesty and she has bared her life to us, the reader. Lillian writes with words as an artist paints with colour, the raw emotions of love, hate, abuse, anger, friendship and learning to deal with theses emotion has made her the woman she is today. She has a voice that her readers will surely find comfort in. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every poem I read and I strongly recommend her book of poetry.

Review for Towards Understanding by Lillian Brummet, PublishAmerica 2005 ISBN 1-4137-9337-1
In her book, Towards Understanding, of approximately130 short, very terse poems, Lillian Brummet courageously reveals more about her deepest feelings and intimate emotions than most people ever truly discover about themselves. Drawing from the tragic years of her abusive, deprived childhood, and following the course of what could have led to a wasted life in adulthood, Brummet chronicles in her poems the desperation and despondency she suffered while growing up.
Every young person goes through a phase in their life where they question their worth: Am I pretty, Am I smart, Do I matter, but Brummet was so wounded by circumstances and abuse that she was trapped for years in a state of painful self-doubt and, perhaps self-loathing. All of her repressed anguish and heartbreak is poured out in these verses for the world to examine. This takes extreme courage and is as much a testament to this woman's strength and character as are the eventual personal and professional triumphs she has achieved.
Towards Understanding is one woman's journey toward self-realization. It is a tortuous journey and one that has its share of pitfalls and obstacles even for the reader as the poems, published in chronological order, often express an emotion more indicative of a singular experience the author was going through at that point in time than a prevailing condition having more universal appeal. There is a lesson to be learned here though for anyone. Mainly, I think, the author's intent is to reveal how dire conditions can adversely affect a person's entire life. And yet, against such enormous odds, Lillian Brummet does save herself, and in so doing gives hope to everyone suffering as did she.
Towards Understanding does not provide a salve for bruised egos or a band-aid for small scrapes and scratches that are a normal part of everyday life. What it does provide is a cathartic treatment for despair due to abuse, neglect, and depravation. Lillian Brummet's Towards Understanding is a poignant cry for attention as this young girl struggles for her place in a world that seems determined to ignore her, as much as her plight, in which tragically, she is not alone. It is for those others, lost in despair traveling, perhaps, down that same dangerous road to self-destruction, that I recommend this book. Through her poetry Brummet proudly declares: There is Hope! There is a reason to trust and to believe in Love. There is a brighter future than the dark days of the past and the gloom shadowing the present might portend. The world can be a beautiful, luminous place with unlimited opportunity when one is brave enough and determined enough to discover what leads to real happiness and true joy.
"I am willing to risk a stake and feel the victory of a survivor." With these words from a line in her poem, I Will Prevail, Lillian proclaims her personal victory over the darkness of her youth, and steps out into the light. Towards Understanding illuminates the path to personal salvation that Lillian Brummet blazed for herself, and now, through the passionate intimacy of her poetry, she invites others to follow.

Review by R. deVoll Fisher, author of Caleb's Branch: An Incomplete Tale Of Unfinished Lives for Cheers Magazine