I’ll be the uncultured sod and say it:
Poetry has a reputation of being pretentious and inaccessible, full of
bloated pride, purple prose, and the mundane made melodramatic. (I realize that
sentence is the pot calling the kettle black, don’t worry.) However, Pantheon’s
author, Eric Syrdal, has written an updated epic that would make the likes of
Homer to Gene Roddenberry proud as it spans across time and space, quite
literally.
Utilizing a pantheon of goddesses as reoccurring motifs, we are treated
to the personification of Hope, Courage, Fate, and more. Not only do they serve
as a literal guide for our poet, but for each and every one of us. But beyond
bold and beautiful deities, there are also great monsters and fierce battles
reminiscent of Beowulf. Their symbolism is woven throughout the expansive
narrative. In one story, our hero is in medieval times, and another, a
contemporary coffee shop, but both of them are fighting their own dragons. What
I marvel at most, however, is when Syrdal’s verses travel to space. I love a
good genre blend, and seeing his pantheon transcend to a time that has moved on
from mysticism is truly epic.
Syrdal’s prose itself is beautiful and trim of fat. The occasional long
stanzas are ripe with emotion. They hit home and linger between fast staccatos
of verses that push along not only description and dialogue, but urgency, too.
The literal and figurative are also maximized for an evocative response. At
times, I found myself tearing up, and that’s rare for me. But the biggest
achievement, in my opinion, is making poetry as riveting as it is beautiful. Pantheon
is truly an adventure to read, accessible for today’s audiences who love
fantasy, science fiction, and above all else, soul.
Eric Syrdal is a talented wordsmith with his heart as his forge. Indulge
in his craft. You won’t be disappointed.
Purchase Pantheon here on Amazon!
Happy Holidays, all!
Larysia
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