Latest news, May 2021:
Following on from the first book of ‘Still-life of a Pandemic’ published last summer the expanded “Still-life of a Pandemic: In Three Books” has just been published, as an ebook (Kindle) and paperback.
Still-life of a Pandemic: In Three Books is an “easily readable” and “brilliant” account of the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020-21 “written with pathos and understanding of these unprecedented times”.
Garnering reviews of being “heart-rending” while “humane and accessible”, it is penned by a world poet. It takes us beyond how the media, politicians or scientists have portrayed the pandemic, to the heart of intensely personal experiences of ordinary people, the heroic and the unspoken.
Book one: Street of the hollow eyes was first published in summer 2020. It explores with a haunting reality and poignancy, the life of an ordinary family of four trying to get on in these times when the father develops a fever. In this volume, Book two: Living the lockdowns and Book three: The Covid-19 vaccine race are newly incorporated, expanding the reach of Still-life of a Pandemic into subjects of national and international importance.
Brandon Broll is a distinguished poet listed in the International Who’s Who in Poetry and Poets’ Encyclopaedia. Author of the bestselling science book Microcosmos, he lives in London.
‘it’s still, a still-life
a life of stillness
yet still you are alive
yet still you are alive’
The date is March 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic is sweeping the world, instigating lockdown in country upon country. Life has suddenly changed, personal freedom is a thing of the past, as friends and extended family are separated through social distancing. In a small house in ‘the street of the hollow eyes’ lives a family of four in an ordinary neighbourhood trying to get on in these times. Until the extraordinary happens when the father develops a fever…
‘the fever comes by chance
I isolate fast
the wife’s worried glance
in the street of the hollow eyes’
With rhythm and the clinical eye of a poet, the story is told of a father’s short and fatal journey after contracting Covid-19 as healthcare workers try to save him. In this five-part easy-to-read poem, the reader is provided with a unique insider’s view of the trials, kindnesses and poignant dislocation of people caught up in this pandemic.
Brandon Broll’s poetry has been published widely in anthologies and his biography has appeared in the International Who’s Who in Poetry and Poets’ Encyclopaedia since 1994. He is author of the bestselling science book Microcosmos (2010).
“Brilliant… So accurate to how we’re feeling. Captured each detail… Blown away.” Heidi Flax
“Heart-rending. I am so moved by your poem… so sad, yet we are still alive… a lesson to all who read it… to those people who don’t take this seriously. It should be read by everyone.” Astrid Kerby
“This poem reflects with articulate and painful empathy what so many families have been through.” Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg
“Although Broll’s verse appears simple, that brevity belies a rich intensity of emotion beneath. It makes the poem approachable and easy to read, it has a lot to say, but also rewards reading over and over… it has encouraged me to read more poetry !” Dr Gary Evans
“A valuable testament to a unique period of history… a humane and accessible work, which anyone of any age could understand and relate to.” Hilary Tait.
Supporting the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Still life of a pandemic” was published this week on Amazon Kindle. A donation from the sales of the book goes to the World Health Organization (WHO). Those who don’t have a kindle can download the free Kindle App onto their phone and for those who subscribe to Kindle Unlimited the book is free.
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