William PoeRezensionen

WINNER! INDIEREADER DISCOVERY AWARD FOR LGBT FICTION 2016

Simon Powell's rehab counselor encourages him to write down his story, and during sessions, to recount the events of his life. Simon led a troubled childhood before joining the Unification Church of Reverend Sun Myung Moon, a decision that allowed Simon to deny his sexual orientation on the pretext of building a better world. Despite rising to positions of leadership, Simon's despair deepens. When Reverend Moon is indicted on charges of income tax evasion, Simon enlists attorneys in Los Angeles who become friends and introduce Simon to the Hollywood club scene. Simon meets Lyle, a hustler from the boulevard, and enters into a relationship that underscores the hypocrisy of his beliefs. Simon leaves rehab, self-confident, but with a lot of ground to cover in reconciling with his past.

A psychic journey of self-discovery

Popular culture, modern science, and classical mythology blend to express the harrowing realities of drug addiction, cultism, self-destruction, and spiritual confusion. Presented with hypnotic rhythms and hymn-like rhymes, the poems of Myths and Rhymes lead into the dark and chaotic soul of the poet, lost in a world that has ceased making sense. Like the Western Warrior of the final entry, one must go forward, however that is possible, and never look back.

Resentment, lost love, remorse, and death all feed into award-winning writer William Poe's new book Endings: Poetry and Prose.

One of the Best Self-Published Books of 2016--IndieReader

Poe, winner of the 2016 IndieReader Discovery Awards LGBT Fiction, returns with a new book dedicated to life's more dire experiences. A sharp contrast from his novels, which dealt with self-discovery and battling for a satisfying life, Poe's newest work pulls at your emotions from the other side of the spectrum. An artist makes a fatal decision all for the sake of art. A forgotten woman no longer cages her rage. A gay man struggles to find his place in the world. These are just some of the many narrative elements, as Poe writes about art, death, relationships, being, and reflecting. He writes in response to his own feelings of despair and loneliness as he captures the feeling of what it's like to be unfulfilled. The saddest times in life become prime material for this book of riveting short stories and poetry.

Simon didn't think he would ever go home again, but to plan for his future, he needs to face his past.

For Simon, the family mansion in Arkansas is a part of him. He may have fled small-town life for addiction--first to religion and then to cocaine--but he has found his way home. Now, all that's left is for him to face those he hurt along the way. As Simon navigates his constant internal struggle between faith and atheism, he must make decisions that will forever alter the course of his life.

In this, the third book of his LGBT literary fiction series, author William Poe writes compellingly about his native Arkansas to pen a work of US historical fiction that finally includes the too-often-overlooked stories of gay and lesbian small-town Americans. Simon's Mansion is a moving coming-of-age story about a man finally figuring out how to grow up.

William Poe's collection of poetry called Myths and Rhymes was part of his rehab recovery process. Poe creates interesting and unique lines that bring together his drug problems and coming to terms with his sexuality. There is some of the disjointedness (in a good way) that reminds me of William S. Burroughs, but with the additional layer of escaping from what he calls a cult, the Unification Church. There are many references to Adam and Eve, references to Sodom, Greek Mythology, vague drug references, and throw in some science, even particle physics.

God is heard
in new quarks
strange charm

Several poems seem to bring everything together. What Else is There, ties religion and drugs with a false Hollywood view. Don't Be Ashamed, (quoted above) blend science and religion and play Adam and atom together.

You can feel the emotion in the poems and come to see his search for meaning. At times it is chaotic, and other times it flows smoothly. Much as I can imagine rehab to be, painful, clouded, wanting, and some few moments of clarity. This collection of poems is well worth reading if the subject matter interests or if you shared the same trials. If you are looking for Keats, Byron, or Coleridge, this is not for you.

"A coming of age story of finding what really matters, Simon Says is a choice read, not to be overlooked." - Midwest Book Review

Star Rating: 4 out of 5 "The book is well-written and remarkably smooth to read, despite its dark storyline . . . a snapshot of a dark period in a young gay man's life, and will leave readers hungry to know whether or not Simon succeeds in picking himself back up again." - San Francisco Book Review

"Simon Says is a journey of self-destruction, self-discovery and ultimately, redemption. And while Poe depicts a familiar story of downward decline, his novel has more complexity than the traditional "downfall tales" we've come to know. While Poe's Simon begins at a low point--the reader knows almost from the start that he's destined for a fall--there is also an inevitable and heart-warming rise that makes this a book worth reading." - Rebecca Nichloson for IndieReader

"Stark and gritty, Poe's story about the search for self-discovery is a sobering testament to the author's own personal journey through Rev. Moon's Unification Church, which makes the story resonate that much more." - Publisher's Weekly 4/22/2013

Star Rating:, 4 our of 5 "Most compellingly, Poe gives a striking account of what it takes to finally seek help after a soul-crushing decade of drug addiction. While a fuller account of life in the Moonies would have been intriguing, Powell's journey through post-church days and drug-filled nights is rife with powerful moments." Elizabeth Millard for Clarion ForeWord Reviews