A review of Valedictorian of the Bottom Feeders written by James F. Miller II

In 2020, I read a lot of poetry books but only a few could impress me. The poets who made my 2020 special are James F. Miller II (Ghost in the Reflection, Letters to Erin) and Steve Denehan (Days of Falling Flesh and Rising Moons). I never thought that I would get another chance to read these poets' work this year. But it happened and Jimmy sent me his latest chapbook Valedictorian of the Bottom Feeders published by Planet Productions Poetry & Press. He asked me to do a review of this book, and I thought why I shouldn't share my opinion with you!

Valedictorian of the Bottom Feeders has forty-two pages, and it contains fifteen poetries. While writing this review, "if you want to annoy a poet, explain his poetry" -this famous quote by Nassim Nicholas Taleb is striking in my head. I think I should not reel out any of the poetries in this review. I hope the poet or the publisher will also avoid revealing anything to the readers. My suggestion to the poet or the publisher will be- "Don't give the readers any direction. Let them find it themselves." You will understand the reason behind it in the later parts of the review.

Valedictorian of the Bottom Feeders contrasts perpendicularly to the poet's previous book Ghost in the Reflection, Letters to Erin. Ghost in the Reflection, Letters to Erin was liberal enough to allow the reader's thought process to roam here and there. But this chapbook will direct the mind where the poet wants it to reach. In Ghost in the Reflection, Letters to Erin, you will find at least something from any direction, but here you have to find that particular direction to feel the poetries.

The poetries included in Valedictorian of the Bottom Feeders are heavy and hard to read. Majority of the poetries are long poetries, so it will not be easy for everyone to set a connection. This might attract those readers who enjoy hard-core poetries. I forgot my worries and negative energies around me while reading this chap. So if you are looking for an escape, you can choose to read this book. If you are in a hurry, you should not go for this chap. You must give time to these poetries. Otherwise, you will not be able to feel them. Introvert kind of readers will enjoy this chap more than an extrovert one. Those, who like to show off that they read extraordinary books, can put this book in their library. This chapbook is not recommended to the minors.

I think now you have got an overall idea of this chapbook. Let's put this book in our three-dimensional review system and see if it can help you more.

Writing style: Four out of four stars. By writing this chapbook, the poet proved his versatility in deep level poetries. Considering the maturity level of the poetries, it is clear that Jimmy gives time to his poetries. He proved that a poet doesn't have to use extraordinary words to write good poetries. He used simple words but very deep meanings and emotions were rooted in them.

Reading Experience of Valedictorian of the Bottom Feeders: 

Four out of four stars. The poetries included in this chapbook will play with the reader's thought process. It will gradually take you to an imaginary world beyond infinity, and when you reach a certain high, it will leave you there. Your landing will depend upon how you control your emotions. You will also find humour or sarcasm in the poetries if you don't let them control your thoughts on some particular points. You will need a fresh and active brain to feel this chapbook. You will enjoy it less if you read it in your bedtime. You will be in a hangover state after reading this chapbook.

Overall rating of Valedictorian of the Bottom Feeders: 

From a reader point of view, this chapbook is a ticket to another world. It can transform a reader's reading taste. It has anger, grief, humour, sadness and all the emotions. The nature of the poetries in this chapbook is very dominant. If you can't reach the point where they want to take you, you will not enjoy them. The last poetry of this chapbook Swinging Upon Thick (-headed) Branches left me in the middle of a desert. Such a surrendering tone was beyond my expectations. The Judgement is my most favourite poem in this chapbook. This book has all the characteristics which can blow a reader's mind. So undoubtedly James F. Miller II's Valedictorian of the Bottom Feeders deserves four out of four stars.

I hope this review has given you all the information on Valedictorian of the Bottom Feeders. Before you exit this blog, I want to thank you for coming here to read my review. Please write a comment in the comment box below to give me your constructive ideas so that I can write better reviews for you. If you loved this review, share it with your friends, foes and families. It will encourage me to bring more reviews to you. Follow this blog by clicking the follow button on the sidebar and put your email in the subscription box so that you get an email notification whenever I upload a new blog post. Keep smiling, keep reading and stay safe. Bye!