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Searching for the Truth: Poems & Prose Inspired by Our Inner Worlds
This collection of prose and poetry focuses on the intangible, inner qualities we all possess. Spanning a wide variety of subjects, including spirituality, philosophy and psychology, this collection brings a unique view to the active but silent worlds found within the human heart and mind.
Written by award-winning author Maranda Russell, the writings contained within these pages are sure to make you think and might even change your point of view.
Written by award-winning author Maranda Russell, the writings contained within these pages are sure to make you think and might even change your point of view.
- GenresPoetryNonfiction
60 pages, Paperback
First published November 23, 2014
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474 people want to read
About the author
Maranda Russell
26 books66 followersHi! I am an award-winning artist, author, poet, book reviewer, and blogger. I have been given several awards and honors for my writings and artwork. I spend most of my time reading, writing, drawing, watching cartoons, hanging out with my family, playing with my cats, enjoying nature, browsing local bookstores and doing other fun, nerdy stuff.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 9, 2015
Maranda Russell's Searching for the Truth: Poems & Prose Inspired by Our Inner Worlds is philosophical, engaging and deeply rooted in a place of spiritual awakening. Every poem or bit of prose is relatable and insightful but, is from a youthful perspective with bits of wisdom on a personal level. Russell gives us a camera lens view of how she sees the world and what she thinks and feels about her connection to it, to humanity, to the world itself and something more profound than herself and how the search for that sense of self, true self will always be a journey, which reminds me of Bertrand Russell's "The Value of Philosophy." Those who want an in depth philosophical side about life please read this book it's thought provoking and worth the read, especially on a deeper human level.
March 2, 2015
She takes those slippery, messy, problems of life (how to deal with people, questioning what is important in life) and turns them into really clear thoughts. In reading the poems, I felt consoled, even supported, by the clarity of her thoughts, and her compassionate, accepting attitude.
I found the poetry well-crafted... the poems were solid, substantial nuggets turned over and worked to a shine, as if in the rock-tumbler of editing and rumination. However, the style of the writing was not on display... the writing wasn't about fancy images or intellectual acrobatics, more so the sense that something crucial and meaningful was pinned down with each poem, that something was worked out, expressed, and written for posterity. I think there is a lot one can learn, from the way she writes with simplicity and intent, about writing.
I found a lot to relate to in this collection and I definitely see myself re-reading it. I'm giving it 4 stars with the hope that Maranda Russell's best work is ahead of her.
An excerpt from the collection that I liked:
"I start to wonder about what will really matter at the end. Of course, most of the time I come down to the same answer... LOVE – the "real" purpose in life. Not fame. Not money. Not being highly educated. Not being praised and appreciated. Not work. Not play. Not fulfilling our ego. Not collecting things. Not being the "best" at something. Not being perfect. Not wallowing in self-pity. Not being "right". Not being super-religious. Not even being "happy". In the end, nothing but love really matters."
I found the poetry well-crafted... the poems were solid, substantial nuggets turned over and worked to a shine, as if in the rock-tumbler of editing and rumination. However, the style of the writing was not on display... the writing wasn't about fancy images or intellectual acrobatics, more so the sense that something crucial and meaningful was pinned down with each poem, that something was worked out, expressed, and written for posterity. I think there is a lot one can learn, from the way she writes with simplicity and intent, about writing.
I found a lot to relate to in this collection and I definitely see myself re-reading it. I'm giving it 4 stars with the hope that Maranda Russell's best work is ahead of her.
An excerpt from the collection that I liked:
"I start to wonder about what will really matter at the end. Of course, most of the time I come down to the same answer... LOVE – the "real" purpose in life. Not fame. Not money. Not being highly educated. Not being praised and appreciated. Not work. Not play. Not fulfilling our ego. Not collecting things. Not being the "best" at something. Not being perfect. Not wallowing in self-pity. Not being "right". Not being super-religious. Not even being "happy". In the end, nothing but love really matters."
January 16, 2019
What I appreciate about Maranda Russell’s writing style and approach is her directness. She isn’t pulling any punches. There’s no ambiguity to what she is saying, but her voice still speaks with a humility of knowing that she doesn’t know everything and like us all, she is still, “searching for the truth.”
Her unique life experiences, endeavors, and previous work positions her as a rare voice speaking with authority to many situations that most of us are not akin to in our daily existence.
In her poem, “Nurture the Mystery,” she writes,
“Get comfortable with the gray areas –
get comfortable with not knowing.”
These lines are indicative of where she is in her spiritual journey. I feel like it’s an authentic take on where most of us are. There are some basic tenets of faith in various belief systems and our views of God, but a key part of spirituality is the mystery. The fact that we are not God. God is God and he only reveals to us a small portion of Truth, and most of us a groping at the truth, searching for answers to life’s questions with no more authority on it than the next person.
In all, Russell’s chapbook of poetry and prose is a wonderful read that will challenge your current views, and invite you to expand your thinking and reflection on the world and the people around you, both strangers and loved ones. I heartily recommend it!
Her unique life experiences, endeavors, and previous work positions her as a rare voice speaking with authority to many situations that most of us are not akin to in our daily existence.
In her poem, “Nurture the Mystery,” she writes,
“Get comfortable with the gray areas –
get comfortable with not knowing.”
These lines are indicative of where she is in her spiritual journey. I feel like it’s an authentic take on where most of us are. There are some basic tenets of faith in various belief systems and our views of God, but a key part of spirituality is the mystery. The fact that we are not God. God is God and he only reveals to us a small portion of Truth, and most of us a groping at the truth, searching for answers to life’s questions with no more authority on it than the next person.
In all, Russell’s chapbook of poetry and prose is a wonderful read that will challenge your current views, and invite you to expand your thinking and reflection on the world and the people around you, both strangers and loved ones. I heartily recommend it!
September 1, 2015
Searching for the Truth by Maranda Russell is a quick read with a powerful punch. The poems and prose within will make you question your beliefs, and take another look at what you think you know.
'Before Your Eyes', the very first poem of all, really made me stop and think, and then agree. It's a little look at that moment right before death.
While most of these poems are serious, there are also light-hearted ones that make you laugh, as well as think. My favourite is the 2nd Alice in Wonderland haiku. Too true, perhaps a caterpillar smoking a blunt *isn't* the best person to guide you. Then again, maybe they're the best after all?
Ms Russell seems to favour free verse, a style I am partial to. Her statements, values, and opinions, set down lovingly in verse, spoke to my heart. Many of these opinions are ones I share. 'Religion is a Box' could have been written after my own life. She seems to find dogma as stifling as I.
She speaks often of the disconnect we, as a species, have with nature, be it wild nature, or our own. People can be so into labels, and entrenched belief that they forget- underneath, we are all human, and we are connected to the greater world, for ill or for good. I especially found 'Schrödinger's Cat' to be very profound, and oh, so true.
If you like poetry, and relish a challenge to entrenched thought, to deep-set belief, if you are brave enough for eye-opening, possibly life-altering verse that will put your brain muscles to work, check out Russell's Searching for the Truth. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
I did find the formatting frustrating. The selections almost seemed to run one right into the other, demarcated by bold type titles, though perhaps it was the fault of the file type.
****This book was reviewed for Reader's Favourite.
'Before Your Eyes', the very first poem of all, really made me stop and think, and then agree. It's a little look at that moment right before death.
While most of these poems are serious, there are also light-hearted ones that make you laugh, as well as think. My favourite is the 2nd Alice in Wonderland haiku. Too true, perhaps a caterpillar smoking a blunt *isn't* the best person to guide you. Then again, maybe they're the best after all?
Ms Russell seems to favour free verse, a style I am partial to. Her statements, values, and opinions, set down lovingly in verse, spoke to my heart. Many of these opinions are ones I share. 'Religion is a Box' could have been written after my own life. She seems to find dogma as stifling as I.
She speaks often of the disconnect we, as a species, have with nature, be it wild nature, or our own. People can be so into labels, and entrenched belief that they forget- underneath, we are all human, and we are connected to the greater world, for ill or for good. I especially found 'Schrödinger's Cat' to be very profound, and oh, so true.
If you like poetry, and relish a challenge to entrenched thought, to deep-set belief, if you are brave enough for eye-opening, possibly life-altering verse that will put your brain muscles to work, check out Russell's Searching for the Truth. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
I did find the formatting frustrating. The selections almost seemed to run one right into the other, demarcated by bold type titles, though perhaps it was the fault of the file type.
****This book was reviewed for Reader's Favourite.
February 6, 2019
Searching For The Truth: Poems & Prose Inspired by our Inner Worlds by Maranda Russell begins with the dedication: “For everyone who isn’t afraid to search for the truth, even if it means looking outside your comfort zone.”
The book takes a very personal look at difficult topics like death, uncertainty, pain, and fear. In the intro Maranda describes her writing style as “short, blunt, and to the point”; personally I found that strengthened the poems rather than weakening them. Descriptors are concise but meaningful, like “emotional sewage” and “their heads sloshing over with tough questions.”
One short, powerful poem focuses on all-consuming bitterness. Another talks about forgiving someone who only saw the worst in her. One of my favourite poems was On Opinions, and I think it needs to be put on a sign and waved around vigorously as needed:
Everyone has opinions,
but not everyone
should share theirs.
I’m sorry to tell you,
but your opinions –
no matter how closely held,
do not override
scientific fact.
This is a short book that's easy to read even for non-poets, and I'd definitely recommend it!
The book takes a very personal look at difficult topics like death, uncertainty, pain, and fear. In the intro Maranda describes her writing style as “short, blunt, and to the point”; personally I found that strengthened the poems rather than weakening them. Descriptors are concise but meaningful, like “emotional sewage” and “their heads sloshing over with tough questions.”
One short, powerful poem focuses on all-consuming bitterness. Another talks about forgiving someone who only saw the worst in her. One of my favourite poems was On Opinions, and I think it needs to be put on a sign and waved around vigorously as needed:
Everyone has opinions,
but not everyone
should share theirs.
I’m sorry to tell you,
but your opinions –
no matter how closely held,
do not override
scientific fact.
This is a short book that's easy to read even for non-poets, and I'd definitely recommend it!
June 6, 2015
Review of Searching for the Truth- Poems & Prose Inspired by Our Inner Worlds, by Maranda Russell, copyright 2013
This combination of poetry, prose, and photography is one that readers on a quest will come back to time and time again, always finding new meaning in the pieces contained therein. I could certainly see such readers slowly pondering one text at a time, running it over in their minds to find the meaning applicable to them in their given situation.
On the Subject of Forgiveness Russell realistically point out that there are times when forgiveness means moving on rather than restarting a relationship “However, / you are not good for me.” Is said without anger or bitterness, but rather in a non-threatening way.
Long Journey Home concludes “…the promised shortcuts/serve only to lead us/ back to the beginning/” I wish I had had that advice a few times in my life!
This is a book that a seeking, serious readers will return to in the future not only for the precision of the language, but for new layers of meaning.
This combination of poetry, prose, and photography is one that readers on a quest will come back to time and time again, always finding new meaning in the pieces contained therein. I could certainly see such readers slowly pondering one text at a time, running it over in their minds to find the meaning applicable to them in their given situation.
On the Subject of Forgiveness Russell realistically point out that there are times when forgiveness means moving on rather than restarting a relationship “However, / you are not good for me.” Is said without anger or bitterness, but rather in a non-threatening way.
Long Journey Home concludes “…the promised shortcuts/serve only to lead us/ back to the beginning/” I wish I had had that advice a few times in my life!
This is a book that a seeking, serious readers will return to in the future not only for the precision of the language, but for new layers of meaning.
January 10, 2015
Maranda Russell perfectly blends earnest and existential poetry with thoughtful photographs. Immediately upon reading I could tell that I was reading not just a standard book of poetry, but a confessional laid bare at the alter of the reader. The explorative nature of her words are so organically based that it would be hard for anyone not to relate and no subject is off limits for this inquisitive writer. She so effortlessly muses on subjects from forgiveness, to art, to the tragedies of modern culture, that each poem seems to segue into the next. I highly recommend this book to anyone who gets lost in their mind from time to time, or to the explorers out there.
August 5, 2016
Wonderful poems about the human condition. The poems are short but leave a lasting impression on you. I really enjoyed this collection and I hope Maranda keeps writing poetry..Her work stirs up lots of different emotions at once, along with humor. My absolute favorites were 'On the Subject of Forgiveness', 'Poetry is Dead', 'Love in Theory', 'Deep Thoughts at McDonald's', and 'Be Proud of Your Scars'.
June 10, 2015
I really enjoyed this collection. The continuity of the collection was really well done. Each poem finds a way to speak to a person until the very end.
Disclosure I received my copy in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Disclosure I received my copy in a Goodreads Giveaway.
August 8, 2015
'Searching for the Truth' is a wonderful collection of inspirational poems and prose that get you thinking about the world and your place in it, but most importantly about yourself. Have a look and prepare for an exciting journey!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews