Home › review › #BookReview: Lion Scream: Syllabic Poetry about Southern African Wildlife by Robbie Cheadle #poetry #SouthAfrica #poaching @RobertaEaton17

#BookReview: Lion Scream: Syllabic Poetry about Southern African Wildlife by Robbie Cheadle #poetry #SouthAfrica #poaching @RobertaEaton17

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Hi everyone. Today I have a book review for you from an author well known to, and loved by, many of us, Robbie Cheadle. An important collection of syllabic poetry with essays, photos, and video links. Here’s my review >>>

About the Book:

Do you rely on Earth for your survival?

Lion Scream is a graphic collection of poetry and prose. The book portrays the author’s experiences with South African wildlife and the growing impact of the Sixth Mass Extinction and Climate Change on the natural environment.

Lion Scream
There is no jungle
Only acres of smooth stumps
There is no jungle
No habitat, no food source
Hopeless lion screams tonight

In this reflective collection of syllabic poetry, poet Roberta Cheadle weaves words, emotions, and images as she recounts her soul-stirring journey around South Africa in 2022. She highlights the plight of the animals in the face of the Sixth Mass Extinction, during a visit to Ukutula Lodge & Game Reserve. Lion Roar is a poetic and photographic roadmap to the heart & soul of South Africa with highlights about the increasing impact of global warming on humanity and the greater planet.

 

My Review:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

A Gripping, Informative Book of Syllabic Poetry and Essays

This book offers the reader a collection of 99-syllable poems, along with essays, photographs, and video links embedded within the eBook version, all dedicated to South Africa and its vast array of wildlife and the endangerment faced due to the greed and cruelty of humans.

I confess to having to skip some of the graphic descriptions of the carnage wrought as it distressed me too much. While not always an enjoyable read due to this, it is most definitely informative and of vital importance.

The poetry is gripping, and the essay-style prose taught me a lot about animals and insects I never knew until reading this eye-opening short volume. The author’s love of her home country and its wildlife shines through in her carefully chosen words and images. And a lot of thought has gone into the layout and information in this little read.

A short fiction story ends the book and addresses the effects of climate change and mental illness.

I give a solid 3.5 stars for Lion Scream, rounded up to 4 for rating purposes.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08B8BDLW1/

US https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B8BDLW1/

I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by. Due to celebrating my 4th wedding anniversary in early May and having various things planned, I won’t have a review post on May 4th. However, I look forward to seeing you all again on May 10th with a book review for a fun romance read. From the 10th onwards, I shall be posting reviews on Wednesdays instead of Thursdays 🙂 

 

39 Comments on “#BookReview: Lion Scream: Syllabic Poetry about Southern African Wildlife by Robbie Cheadle #poetry #SouthAfrica #poaching @RobertaEaton17”

  1. A wonderful review for Robbie’s book which no doubts should open eyes for many. Like you, I cannot read or watch inhumane things so I know I’d have to skim that too. Congrats to Robbie. <3 xx

  2. I thought this was a great book. Maybe difficult to read for some but important to read nonetheless. Thoughtful review Harmony. Well done Robbie. 🙂

    • Agreed! I think the disturbance I felt shows the skill of this writer/poet. Thanks, Marje 💕🙂

  3. It was a great and sometimes hard read, Harmony! I learned a lot. Enjoy your break and Happy Anniversary.

    • Agree wholeheartedly! The bits I found difficult highlight how well Robbie portrayed the situations. Thanks, Denise 💕🙂

  4. Hi Harmony, thank you so much for this lovely review of Lion Scream. I am delighted you appreciated this book which is almost a journal of my thoughts and views about the impact of the Sixth Mass Extinction on African wildlife and also its flora. I really appreciate your thoughtful review.

    • You’re so welcome! You did a wonderful job of putting across such an important message and awareness of this terrible situation. The bits I found difficult show just how well you portrayed things. Wishing you all the best, Robbie. Hugs 🤗💕🙂

  5. I learned so much about South African wildlife and endangered species from Robbie’s book. An excellent review for Lion Scream, Harmony!

    • Hi Mae, I am delighted to know that and thank you for your lovely review. I appreciate your support.

    • Robbie certainly portrayed this awful situation vividly and aroused my emotions as well as educated me. Thanks, Mae 💕🙂

  6. Wonderful review, Harmony. I suspect some of the scenes would also be difficult for me to read. Robbie is an exceptional writer/poet, and she always does her homework. Thank you, for showcasing Lion Scream. It’s on my list. 😊

    • HI Gwen, some of the poems are difficult to read as they are based on true stories of poaching and hunting. I appreciate Harmony’s thoughtful review and hope you appreciate the book when you get to it. I also have a long list of books on my TBR.

    • Yes, you and I are the same with so much, Gwen! For certain, Robbie did a fantastic job of portraying the horrors within this unconscionable situation, which takes a lot of skill, especially in so few words. Thanks, Gwen 💕🙂

    • Thank you, Staci. The Sixth Mass Extinction is a very hard topic to write and read about, but if we don’t do something soon, it will be too late.

    • Especially when portrayed so vividly, which is an achievement in so few words. Thanks, Staci 💕🙂

  9. Great review, Harmony. This was an unusual read for me with so much information shared through photos, essays, poems, and videos. It had an important message about sustainability and respect for wildlife, specific to Africa, but applicable everywhere. Not always an easy read, but a vital one. Congrats to Robbie for pulling it off. 🙂

    • Hi Diana, thank you for adding your thoughts and comments about Lion Scream here. Thank you also for your lovely review.

    • I couldn’t agree more with all you’ve said, Diana. Thanks for your wonderful words and support 💕🙂

  10. I know too much about South Africa to venture into this one, Harmony. I can guess the bits you skipped. 🙁
    Hugs and hopes for a wonderful moderately painfree anniversary. Love, Sarah xx

  12. I recently heard Robbie recite Chris Hall’s poem and was very impressed.
    A very insightful review. I am very much interested. 🙂
    A happiest 4th anniversary in advance, dear Harmony! Have loads of fun. 🤗❤️