"James has a way of bringing words that marry both Amish and the later experiences in life as a non-practicing Amish together. He marries the two off in a unique way that display his own heritage and culture as well as assimilation into dominant culture."
- Mary Byler, Author of Jezebel's Justice: Poetry and prayers for rebellious and disobedient folks
Check back for updates and more reviews
FEVERS OF THE MIND: BIG ISLAND BEATNIK
"Big Island Beatnik: Poetry & Photography from the Lower East Rift Zone" BOOK REVIEWS
James’ poetry spins through time and space like liquid gold, moving you on a dizzying journey of lush dreams and spare realities. They show you places that you’ve never imagined even as they let you open to your own creations. Seeing the world through his eyes, and his emotions has always been a pleasure, as well as an education. So plan to be amazed and amused as you embark on his new work, you will be richly rewarded!
- Sharna Eberlein, Author of Pele's Tears
Dank new Alien Buddha Press chapbooks include Big Island Beatnik by James Schwartz. This is a book with themes of healing and spirituality in paradise. The haiku sequence "The Infinite Laboratory" is a tribute to Ernest Holmes, 'Telephone of the Wind" has a nostalgic effect. "Sleepcast Poem" is a poetic guided meditation. The photographs are beautiful even stunning. My favorite parts were the haiku sequence and poems on Kilauea volcano.
- READER REVIEW
The writings in Big Island Beatnik depict intoxicating vistas of discovery as Schwartz explores his surroundings through a lens of psychogeography, its influence on his search for spiritual context to his experiences. I am left with a feeling of haunting elegy, and yet Schwartz speaks not only of elegiac loss but of re-birth, replenishment and continuation, with exhilarating portrayals of volcanoes and skies and seas that are themselves living entities.
u.v.ray (x.com/uvray_deceased)
