Customer Reviews

5 reviews

• Olivia Callan

  The first thing that attracted me to Clare O'Reilly's book of poetry was the cover and the title ' Raised on Songs and Stories ' the title conjures up an image of a childhood of singing and storytelling.
  The beautiful daisies representing the circle of life with all its ups and downs.
  I think Clare covered all aspects of life. Her introductory poem captures the carefree days of childhood before life throws us a curved ball.
  Her poems encapsulate all the feelings that each and every one of us goes through: the breakup of a relationship, losing a loved one or dear friend. The excitement of getting dolled up to go gallivanting to the pub or a nightclub.
  All the dreams, plans and disappointments we all face as we go about our daily lives.
  Clare is a very talented writer and her writing records the good and the bad, the happy and the sad.
  A thoroughly enjoyable read.
  I wish her the very best with her future ventures.

• Peter Cullen

  I am not a lover of poetry, normally. I can't remember the last time I read a poetry book, probably back in school. A long time ago. This book of poems though is not what I remember from school. Clare's poems are very accessible and anyone who reads her book will see themselves in various stages of their life. Clares captures the struggles and obstacles of life in a unique way but adds humour and insight to leave you feeling uplifted. I highly recommend this book to both poetry and non-poetry lovers. My favourite poem from the book is ' High and Low and No One Will Know'.

• Margaret Wallace

  Clare writes from the heart, not only portraying her own thoughts and feelings but also connecting directly to the reader with her keen observations and vulnerability. Sometimes deep, sometimes light and humorous, this is an anthology for all, to be read quickly or slowly - at whatever pace you like. My favourite poem is Garden-Power, evoking so wonderfully memories of my own haven of peace and tranquility.

• Aideen O'Regan

  I really loved Clares' poetry book, 'Raised on Songs and Stories. There is something in this book for everyone.
  Some of her poems are quirky observations of everyday life and others are raw, poignant, reflective recollections of some of her own personal struggles growing up in her twenties. She writes about mental health, relationships and day-to-day issues that we all encounter at some stage in our lives. Although she deals with some serious topics, her writing is still positive and funny.
  Looking forward to her next book!

• Diarmuid Ó Conghaile

  It was a pleasure to read Clare O'Reilly's 'Raised on Songs and Stories...'. The poems are brave and funny and whimsical. They have the mark of all good writing, which is truth telling. The title of the book suggests tradition, and there is a clear regard for tradition in the poems, a fondness for established features of national and personal life, but also buckets of modernity, and much which is subversive and irreverent. Open the book anywhere and you'll find things to like, for example 'Mad about me?' in which an admirer spoils everything by saying '"There's none of us oil paintings"/ That couldn't include me, I thought/ But it did'. The collection is particularly strong on the topics of love and sex and dating, in their various different sequences, and what better topics could you pick to major on. But family and spirit run through the work as well. This is a book about living by someone who has done a lot of living - with originality, and with her heart on the line, while also willing to have a wicked giggle or to reach out in compassion, which we feel, for example, in 'The girl who cries on the Dart'. Thanks, Clare. (Diarmuid Ó Conghaile, Author 'Being Alexander' - New Island.)

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