Storm Cloud Haze: A memoir in poetry, prose and polaroids

By Alessandra Wike

A firework of pain combusted below my right eyebrow. It was so sharp it smashed the breath from my lungs and voice from my throat. If it had lasted only one second longer, I would have screamed. My skull was cracking from the inside.
_____________

At 19 years old, Alessandra Wike learns she has a genetic abnormality: a tumor made of bone growing in the center of her sinuses. Each time it’s removed, the tumor grows back bigger than before.

In this collection of poetry, prose and polaroids, Alessandra recounts the last six years of her health journey. Storm Cloud Haze culminates with her third surgery, a craniotomy, requiring sinus, eye and brain surgeons to remove the tumor and reconstruct her skull.

As she shares this strange and terrifying journey, Alessandra meditates on how we think about our bodies, our fears and our lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alessandra Wike
• Release date: Jun 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781732643512

Alessandra Wike

Alessandra Wike is a writer and photographer. She was a volunteer reader for Electric Literature’s online literary magazine, Recommended Reading, and was a staff reader at Elon University’s Colonnades. She has been a guest writer for the San Francisco Book Review and has ghost written articles that appeared in Darling Magazine online. As a photographer, Alessandra principally uses experimental film to explore our world. Her debut book, Storm Cloud Haze: A memoir in poetry, prose and polaroids, will be published in June 2019. You can follow her on Instagram @alessandrawike.

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Reviews for Storm Cloud Haze

[syeu715 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Once I opened up the pages to this book, I was completely swept away by the story. Although the book consists of relatively short journal entries and poems, the impact of these pieces strung together was so powerful, it was enough to bring tears to my eyes. I could feel all of the pain with her and understand all of her emotions. She was such a master at painting her world and letting others get an inside view of her experience. I was really in awe of the author for sharing her story so vulnerably, for exposing all her emotions through this unspeakable journey and for producing this beautiful work of art in the midst of everything she's going through. That shows incredible strength and resilience and she is my hero.Memorable points: (Forgot the exact words)1). The part where she talks about even the curve of her pinky toe being written in her DNA. Then this thing must be too, but for what reason? 2). Also, the bit about external factors getting in the way of our well-being is understandable... but the body turning against itself seems unfair3). The opening journal entry was so powerful already and really set the tone. I found myself diving deep into the story within the first several pages.

[hillgirl_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received this through LibraryThing. I have to say that this was a great read. I had so many feelings while reading her account of what she went through. If you don't read just look at the polaroids. I have found empathy in reading your words and a new enlightenment that God can get us through so much.

[djlunchlady91404 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I felt very connected to the author while reading this book. She allowed a glimpse into a very hard, very vulnerable point in her life and did it with grace and hope. I felt a strong sense of empathy while reading her story because I also have rare, hard to diagnose medical conditions that started in early adulthood. I know the struggle of unsympathetic doctors, being bounced from specialist to specialist and feeling like your life is on borrowed time. It was very moving, and in my case very easy to relate to.

[lynziington · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The book was beautifully written. The author really met the imagery with the poems on a heartfelt level. It's a great collection of poetry with real feeling that draws you in close to the writer as she takes you on her journey. Very talented and vert well put. I wish you all the best for the future and would highly recommend.

[ravennight-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I won a copy of Storm Cloud Haze through LibraryThing Member Giveaways.I found this book to be really inspiring. While I don’t have a tumor like the author does, I found that I was able to relate to this book a lot. I have a chronic illness that is hard to diagnose, and I have also felt as if doctors were passing me around as if I didn’t have a serious condition. Reading Storm Cloud Haze made me feel less alone and misunderstood. I truly enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to people branching out into memoirs and poetry. I sat down and read the whole thing in about an hour, so it’s great if you want a quick read.

[catherinehsu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very powerful and unique—I love everything about how this book is formatted. The polaroids were probably my favorite part, followed by the prose sections.Some of the poetry was really powerful, while others fell a little flat; I also ran into quite a few typos throughout the book, but other than that, this was a really good read.