Rainbow of Emotions – 4 Star Book Review

Welcome to the May 6th stop on the blog tour for Rainbow of Emotions by Djehane Hassouna, organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for spotlights, reviews, and a giveaway! More on that at the end of this post.

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About the Book

Rainbow of Emotions
A Selection of Poems by Djehane Hassouna
by Djehane Hassouna

Published 18 December 2020
Tellwell Talent

Genre: Poetry
Page Count: 174
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Rainbow of Emotions is a culmination of Djehane’s life experiences. It is a map guiding the reader through the confusing labyrinth of life, unravelling the complicated pattern of her intricate journey through poetry. Djehane writes poems about nature, events, and feelings, about life as a whole. She expresses her hopes and fears, her triumphs and failures, her gratitude and resentment. Every poem is linked to her soul! Every poem is a masterpiece in its own right!

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Excerpt

Let Me In

Lady Liberty! Lady Liberty! Let me in…
Give me a break: I need the freedom to be myself.
I came a long way. My luggage is heavy:
I’m bringing a heart full of friendship, full of love,
I’m bringing the enigmatic smile of the Pharaohs,
And the bright eyes of the Mediterranean shores.
I’m bringing an inquisitive mind, a thirst for knowledge.
I’m bringing my tenacity, my faith, and my courage
That followed the elusive mirage of freedom
That appeared in the desert sand.
I am not alone: my daughter and best friend,
Walking and waving at friends while always smiling,
Enjoying the snow, the sunshine, and the summer breeze,
The green parks where squirrels play and chipmunks hide,
Where secular oaks shelter the peregrine falcons.
Alas! I’m also bringing the weariness of old age:
The hesitant step, the weakening eyesight, the panting breath.
I’ve waited too long. I may not get another chance!
Lady Liberty! Lady Liberty! Please, let me in!

My Review

My Rating: 4 Stars
Consider liking my review on Goodreads.

I was granted complimentary access to Rainbow of Emotions as part of my participation in a blog tour for this title with Goddess Fish Promotions. Thank you to all involved in affording me this opportunity! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

Rainbow of Emotions is a collection of poems by Djehane Hassouna that takes the reader on a journey through her life and experiences on both sides of the Atlantic ocean. The poems are interesting, enlightening, and thought-provoking, and I very much enjoyed my read through this collection. I especially loved “My Name,” which was not only just plain interesting but also gave me a point of reference for pronouncing Djehane’s name when it mentions “Joan of Arc was called Sainte Jéhanne.” As a French speaker, that cleared it up!

My only reason for rating 4 stars rather than 5 is because this collection is heavily free-verse, and as such won’t read like poetry to a pedestrian reader who doesn’t know what free-verse poetry is all about. If someone unfamiliar with the types of poetry went into this collection blindly they might think it’s full of microstories with creative formatting choices rather than poems, and if that’s the case they might then not forgive the poetic defiance of certain grammar rules. I know that doesn’t make these poems lesser in any way and I’m not trying to imply that it does, but it does mean this isn’t necessarily the best book of poetry for readers who don’t normally read poetry.

I do hope those who enjoy this sort of poetry will find this book because it’s a gem!

About the Author

Djehane Hassouna grew up in Egypt where she received her formal education in French. Her fascination with French poetry and fairy tales has always inspired her writing. Djehane also speaks Arabic, Italian, and a little Spanish.

Djehane received her BA in French from the Catholic University of America, her MA in Comparative Literature from Vermont College, and her PhD in Romance Languages and Literatures from the University of Pittsburgh. Throughout her life, Djehane has continued to express her feelings through poetry in both French and English. As she writes, and as her emotions take shape into verse, Djehane becomes one with her poetry.

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Giveaway Alert!

Djehane Hassouna will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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