Searching for a Pulse

By Nazifa Islam

Nazifa Islam's debut poetry collection tells the story of Rosemary who wants to love and to be loved but finds it tragically impossible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Whitepoint Press
• Release date: Aug 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301302581

Nazifa Islam

Nazifa Islam grew up in Novi, Michigan. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at Oregon State University. Her poetry and paintings have appeared in a number of publications including Anomalous Press, From the Depths, A Baker's Dozen and Flashquake.

Book preview

����cbook_preview_excerpt.html}�_j�0Ư2ϡ!i��e�� ���X��Dd�H�����z��'�7�ݐڦv�O��7�h����Rs���g�|l�21�C(B�����F���O�����^]������S ܭ�|s�J�|��������'��(6�7���#o�|9����|}H��}�*��E�n��Q3�"�,|��B�#�(��VU|��T�`}�)��$

Enjoying the preview?

Subscribe to continue reading

Reviews for Searching for a Pulse

[kedicat · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A unique look at suicide and mental illness through the eyes and mind of the person attempting, or succeeding, at suicide. The poem is an interesting format choice for this, it has that broken thought feel that many with severe depression can have.

[mike_o-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Hard to read at times but interesting enough to keep reading. I was a bit distressed to find out, very quickly into the book, that the overall story and tone of the poems was not, as sduff222 says, uplifting. Not something I was looking for at this particular time. However, I was definitely rooting for Rosemary.

[donnamariemerritt · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The first poem intrigued me, but as I read on, the poems seemed to blend together. While some of them were well written, it was one of the most depressing books I've ever read. Yes, mental illness is an important topic to address, but there is no hope here. It seems maybe that the characters are part of a multiple personality disorder with only Rosemary (and maybe Finn?) as real, but it's hard (at least for me) to tell. This is one of those books you'll have to read for yourself to decide what you think. Nazifa Islam's technique of using the poems to tell a story is a good one. Perhaps her next book will be a bit more uplifting.

[orangewords · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Very self-indulgent. Not terribly-written, but painfully long and dark without, seemingly, a point. I love my depressing poetry, but this wasn't it for me. Would not recommend.

[greggchadwick · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nazifa Islam's volume of poetry "Searching for a Pulse" is a searing collection that gets to the heart of one individual's unease in a society of disquiet. Islam considers the disease of depression and wills us to come out on the other side. A brave work.

[andreablythe · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This chapbook contains a series of interconnected poems about Rosemary, a women trapped in a state of suicidal depression. As the story unfolds with each poem, you learn about the people in her life who try to help her, but can't keep up with the brunt force of her sorrow. Most of these poems are presented in smooth, plain language with moments of poetic beauty that caught my attention and resonated well. The words are full of raw edges and hurt, and I could feel for Rosemary's sorrow and her friend's inability to connect with her. Ultimately, though the message and story is bleak with little hope or redemption. So, it's not for everyone.