PRESS
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"Asoak in the Knights Moat by Alexej Savreux is a book of experimental poetry and prose that will titillate the reader’s senses. A great deal of the pieces in this collection are rather short in length, most coming in at only a handful of lines, although there are longer pieces near the end of the book. The poet plays with form, capitalization, punctuation, format, and subject matter to present poems that are ever-evolving. The poems included here cover everything from identity to death to health to slicing meat in a deli. The passion that is included in each piece is apparent as the poet has clearly poured much of their energy into every word that is written on the page. While the prose included here is often raw, gritty, and realistic, there are still more somber moments hidden underneath the many overwhelming layers.
While this collection is certainly original and all-encompassing in its nature, there is so much going on that it makes it hard to digest. The formatting which is very dramatic due to the uncommon way poems are capitalized, organized, and spaced out leads to distraction more than anything else. The messages the poet has are profound and important, so the formatting does not really feel necessary. In a way, the poet needs to let the words speak more for themselves. It is important to switch up form and try new means of expressing oneself, which the poet has done successfully, but at the same time one must have some restraint and self-control in order to keep their message focused, no matter how many things they have to say. With a bit more editing and streamlining, Asoak in the Knights Moat can be a more accessible collection for all."
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To purchase a copy of the book, click here to find it on Amazon
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"...​it's the hyper-literate [neuroses] of David Foster Wallace mixed with the controlled insanity and bravery of Harmony Korine."
~ Graduate Student - M. Sanders, 2015 ; - University of Maryland - College Park - Graduate English Department
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2015 Red City Review Literary Journal Annual Poetry Contest Finalist
5/5 Stars
"A spellbinding collection of approximately one hundred poems, Alexej Savreux’s Graffiti on the Window searches for answers through well constructed prose. Split into two parts ‘Spray Gold Upon the City aka Spraypaint’ and ‘Artistique aka Oils’ the poems included here are reminiscent of more formal ones created hundreds of years ago. Savreux has a very strong poetic voice that carries on throughout the book, as his words alternate and then sway, contemplating gods above, the chaotic world that surrounds us, and the people we find ourselves commiserating with. The poems often discuss God and the afterlife, while trying to discover the true meaning of art and the human existence. The poems vary in length, with many falling under a half page, while others are only a few single lines. Certain poems like ‘She is a 21 Year Old Mother’ tell stories, following specific characters in their stanzas, while others like ‘Sun, Only Star, Our Cave of Men’ don’t so as much tell a specific story, instead recounting a kind of atmosphere in order to elicit the reader to feel something.
One of the most impressive things about this collection is the way Savreux has constructed his pieces, his tone and thematic elements continuing throughout the book, his language maintaining its strong voice. There are not many people who could write in this elegant, yet haunting manner. That being said, this is certainly a very particular kind of poetry book, and it might not appeal to everyone, at least not at first. We encourage you to dive into what the poet has put together, as you move forward, piece by piece, his words will start to make more sense, as his painted multi-colored graffiti comes to you in the form of finely original poems."
To purchase a copy of the book, click here to find it on Amazon.
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4 / 5 Stars
"Eat Me and Other Short Poems is a collection of approximately one hundred poetic verses and prose. Poet Alexej Savreux introduces his second collection of poems by explaining that this book is more open to subtle suggestion, including less intense visual cues, and offering pieces that are much shorter across the board. His individual works are meant to be sort of ‘poetic portraits’ that draw upon multiple layers, painting something that is both pleasing to read and stylistically accessible while bringing about emotions within the reader that they might not necessarily feel comfortable with. These are the kind of poems that are meant to challenge the reader, not just in the terms of how they appear on the page, but by the feelings they instill within anyone whose eyes wander across the written words. Savreux has tried his best to make this collection accessible to all, and for the most part, has succeeded.
The poet plays with form and changes the style of his writing, even though they all tend to be just about a half page long. Some poems tell short stories, other speculate about unobtainable things, while others are ponderings about the world and religion. Various meanings and deliberations litter the pages as the collection moves forward. It’s somewhat difficult to classify the kind of poems that are featured here, since the content is rather diverse and unlike anything we’ve really read before. The best way to recommend this collection is to say that it is something that stands out for it’s uniqueness, and the only way to truly grasp its content is to dig into the poems yourself."
To purchase a copy of the book, click here to find it on Amazon.
~ Red City Review Literary Journal
"...we've gone over the rest of the final draft, and [we] think it's great. We do really appreciate how, even when dealing with the most solemn of content, one can still weave in little humorous asides."
~ Brian L. Zirkle, Ph.D.
