Paradise Lost: A Poetic Journey
by Paul Buchheit
Wipf and Stock


"In Chaos, in the darkness, in the waste
and wild and frown of Night, the start of life
was yet to come, in boundless space displaced
from Heaven, empty yet of calm and strife."

In this poetry collection, readers discover biblical characters with which they are familiar. Angels and demons collide. Good and evil combat one another, and Satan disguises himself in order to bring havoc to the world. Readers also witness the deception which Satan used to corrupt the Garden of Eden. As readers delve deeper into the verses, they encounter horrible scenarios in which Sin and Death wait at Hell’s gates for their master’s return. Other terrifying images emerge as Hell’s demons transform into snakes. Nonetheless, redemption and salvation are also paramount to this story. Adam and Eve despair about the sins they have committed, resulting in lessons offered about God’s mercy for sinners.

As readers traverse Heaven, Hell, and Earth, they are reminded of one of the most prolific creation stories, which has shaped numerous faiths and ideologies over the course of history. These verses also create a meditation space in which readers can contemplate the morality lessons about choice and free will and how each individual must realize the consequences of wielding that power. These poems depict Adam and Eve’s existence and actions with great emotion, which makes these well-known biblical characters come across as even more human.

Vivid illustrations accompany the poems, portraying the clear divisions between good and evil, Heaven and Hell, demons and angels. This gray-scale artwork allows readers to visually access the poems, giving the collection a unique duality that mirrors the philosophical and spiritual conflicts that emerge. Those who like horror-themed poetry and fiction will appreciate this book. Additionally, those who are intrigued by the philosophical elements of the original Paradise Lost and similar works will likely enjoy the journey this book offers.

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