A Book Review
>>Genius work that immerses the reader in a journey to a better place<<
In the foreword of Waking up to Thrutopia: poems and essays by Conny
Borgelioen, the Author explains the meaning of Thrutopia.
It’s a word coined by British philosopher Rupert Read in an article published on
the British Huffington Post website in November 2017.
“But, Thrutopia cannot be explained by a simple definition, as it’s a contraction of
the words through and utopia,” Ms.Borgelioen tells me.
The coinage was inspired by a story by American author Ursula K. Le Guin, in which
Rupert Read, the British philosopher, realized that striving for a utopia can only ever
be that. Utopia cannot exist; all we can do is try to get there, and that is where utopia
resides.
In other words, we need to get through the difficult times to get to someplace that’s
better: I love this emotional reasoning.
I loved knowing how the title came about and was thrilled to learn some philosophers
read and get inspired by science fiction. Mr. Read is undoubtedly aware that Ursula K.
Le Guin (R.I.P) also wrote poetry and short stories in a realist style. (Sorry, I’m getting
sidetracked here).
Author Conny Borgelioen tells us that for almost 20 years, she has been struggling
with a chronic illness. And in this personal collection of poems and essays, she is
now trying to get to a better place: Thrutopia.
Waking up to Thrutopia: poems and essays by Conny Borgelioen is divided into
three parts. Every page represents a progression of how the Author is journeying
(present progressive) to get to a better place.
There were many instances that the Author’s words spoke to me, and it was hard
to choose just one something from the essays and poems to share as it is all lovely.
I’ll try:
–“(A) halo (of sonnets)” — the rhythm in this section is unparalleled in anything I’ve
read before. It felt like a car ride where one travels from village to village, unaware
of borders as it’s hard to tell where one town ends and another begins. I loved this.
-“Meadows flower with mussels and whelks, old footpaths silt up and disappear, the
coastline creeps forward.
How can no one know about this illness? My mind was in a perpetual fog, I felt heavy,
had sunken eyes, my breath felt swamped, I was dizzy all the time.”/
And here -“A sea of clean energy is an island, a marshland, a forest, an ice field;
and I wait.”/
I adored this Author’s writing style; it felt very V. Woolf. The way events of the past
or those immediately in front of the narrator had a way of swerving the reader into
the present. This is another example of the present progressive feel I got from this
book.
For this reason, I feel that the title of Thrutopia is the perfect word to “show” and not
“tell” about this Author’s ongoing “journey on a journey” to a better place. Genius work
that soon immerses the reader in the Author’s journey.
And if I may add, the Author and her longtime illness (and I don’t mean to make light
of it—that would be a mean thing to do—that’s not me) is like the circumstances of
any of us: a work in progress. Please, let’s all get journeying to Thrutopia and meet
each other in a good place where kindness is the norm.
-“Once we release ourselves from all the frill and froth, does it still matter greatly
how we eat our cake?”/
-“I believe along the fold is where everything resides in so far that meaning can
spring out of nothing.”/
Get this book, dear people. Give this short book of poetry and essays two or three
readings as I did, and you, too, will come to see why Waking up to Thrutopia: poems
and essays by Conny Borgelioen is a masterpiece. I’m glad I read to apprehend that
the diverse journies we are on is a utopia–A soul-filling realization! 5-star rating for
Thrutopia from a delighted customer in Japan.
It was with great delight that I reviewed this lovely collection of poems and essays.
I highly recommend it.
You can find Conny here on WordPress
on her website,
Tender Rebellion.
Way to go, Conny. Thank you, my sweet. xoxo, I wish you miracles.
And thanks to everyone for reading my review.
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Conny does excellent work and I know she is thrilled with this Selma! 💞
Selma! What a lovely review! I’m over the moon. I’m so glad that my book and the concept behind it resonated with you. And you’re absolutely right. It’s not just about chronic illness. It’s about our journey as human beings waking up and realising our true potential. Thank you a thousand times for your kind and elevating words!❤️❤️❤️
What a detailed review of Conny’s book Selma! You are a book beast girlfriend. I know Conny is very proud of your kind and generous heartfelt words. Beautiful! 🥰💖🤗💐😍
Yeah, but did you see how I blundered? Journies! Ever heard of Journies? SMH 🤦🏽♀️ = Journeys 😮💨 I’m going cross eyed. Or a bit tired 😪
Glad you enjoyed my review m’lady. Xoxo
Girl Selma, you are too funny. 🤣 Honey, sometimes I proofread and proofread until I am cross-eyed too, and make some of the most foolish mistakes that I know better than to make. SMH 😱 The good thing is, on this platform you can always correct your snafu’s, even after it is published…something you can’t do with a published book. 😲 Have an awesome evening my dear Selma! 🥰💖🤗🦋😘
So beautiful review for all book.
You are precious, dear Raj. Thanks so much for your kindness. Xoxo
Excellent review, as you do! 👏🏻 I started reading this! Conny is incredibly talented!
Michele Lee. Dearest. Thanks.
I will fix that typo: Journies 😱 🙈
Thanks for your sweet words.
You are welcome, talented poet and writer!
Fabulous review.. ,👏👏
Thank you, sir. 💗 👏🏽
Lovely review, Selma. Please let me know if you got my message. Thank you. <3