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Noir: [Or, When the Night Comes] Kindle Edition

by Derek R. King (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 17 ratings
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Tick. Tock.

….Tick….....tock…..

Can you hear that?

That’s the sound of the clocks getting ready to fall back. The nights stretch longer as the days shrink shorter. Creatures of the night come out to play; to fill autumn’s twilights and winter’s chills.

And at the edge of this mist infused scene, Derek R King stands and drinks in this dream. Muse by his side (or is she within), her whispered breath caresses his ears, as she drapes him in words:
“Let the poetry begin.”
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  1. Print length
    140 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    October 13, 2020
  5. File size
    2227 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

★★★★★
"Noir is the French word for "dark," and in his first poetry book, Derek R. King takes us on a chilling and deeply emotional journey through the different forms of darkness. Using the French term as a metaphor for the less desirable but unavoidable elements of life, King paints a picture of what it feels like to be plagued by these entities. He explores the depths of depression, loneliness, grief, heartbreak, and despair.

King communicates his themes using a mixture of verve and solemnity. This combination strikes several emotional chords and ensures his words reverberate in your mind long after hearing them. It's the sort of feeling you want to get from poems that touch on the aspects of life that are shrouded in darkness. This feeling helps us acknowledge that these dark elements exist. And instead of running from them or repressing them, we challenge them.

The beauty of King's work also lies in the simplicity with which he writes. His words are not only vivid and piercing; they are also easy to grasp. King obviously paid attention to Hemingway's reply to Faulkner's criticism: "poor Faulkner, does he really think big emotions come from big words?"

Apart from King's apt choice of words, he applies thoughtful figurative expressions that add color to his dark themed poems. He brings the concepts to life by pulling the emotions out of the dark corners of the mind and into the light where they can be properly felt and understood.

The authenticity with which King writes is also worth mentioning. He supplies an honest appraisal of the emotions which lurk in the crevices of our hearts. He's raw, direct, and brutally candid, as he makes us feel what we feel but cannot acknowledge. There's a dark side. It's not pretty, but it exists, and King isn't afraid to point it out.

I believe King's book helps us come to terms with several unpleasant emotions. His work is an interesting read if you want to take a deep dive into the sea of self-awareness that few venture into." Literary Titan
literarytitan.com/2020/10/28/noir/

About the Author

Derek R. King, is a poet, musician and published author. He lives in Scotland, enjoys the great outdoors, long walks in the hills, the sounds of the seas and ocean, art, photography and good malt whisky.

You might spot him on a hill somewhere with his camera fist pumping and quietly muttering "Yes!" to himself if he's captured a great image.

His poetry, which covers diverse topics, has been variously described as "emotive", "raw", "powerful" and "fun". 'Noir (Or When The Night Comes)' is the first collection of his poetry, a second volume, featuring writings about nature in her various forms, is planned for spring 2021.

Derek's poetry had been featured on @PoetOrganic (theorganicpoet.com/) and myfanwy80.com/ . A number of his pieces are included in Tracy Hutchinson's book "2020 Together: An Anthology of Shorts."

Derek also has written several short stories of which "Defying Convention" is included in the award winning Winter Chills anthology.

His main non-fiction work to date has been the award-winning non-fiction Civil Rights era book, "The Life And Times Of Clyde Kennard", which tells the true story of one man's attempt to go to college in those challenging times.

You can follow Derek on Twitter at twitter.com/DerekRKing2, where you'll find the occasional poetry and photo post and on this Amazon author page amazon.com/Derek-R-King/e/B07MPBQNCH/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_3

You can find out more about Derek's nonfiction book at the website clydekennardlifeandtimesof.com/

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08HSKJLGX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ 8N Publishing, LLC (October 13, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 13, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2227 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 140 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0999252348
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 17 ratings

About the author

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Derek R. King

Derek R. King

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Derek R. King, is an award-winning poet, musician and published author. He lives in Scotland with his writing partner who is also his wife, the award-winning Julie L Kusma where they enjoy the great outdoors, long walks in the hills, the sounds of the seas and ocean, art, and photography.

Follow this author on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest under the handle of derekrking2 and on his website at dereking(dot)uk

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
17 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Shannon E. Ward
5.0 out of 5 stars A RAW AND AUTHENTIC COLLECTION
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2020
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Scotland has a long history of lauded poets. After reading Noir: (Or, When the Night Comes), I believe author Derek R. King has placed himself among the newest generation of great Scottish poets. Noir is not a poetry collection to be gobbled up at once. It is to be read slowly and savored. King alternates between raw emotion and nuanced observation. Noir definitely lives up to it's title. Even the poems of love hold a desperation and darkness to them. While reading I was caught up in King's world he creates with his words. His soul is laid bare in many of the poems which adds to the authenticity and allure of this collection. One of my favorite poems in the collection is "Black is the ardour." For me, many of the poems brought to mind Edgar Allen Poe, an American poet. King, like Poe, draws the reader in with a sense of irresistible foreboding that holds the reader captive until the last verse. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to poetry lovers everywhere. I look forward to King's next collection in 2021.
2 people found this helpful
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Veronica
5.0 out of 5 stars Poetic Verse for the Mind and Soul!
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2020
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Author King offers a stunning collection of poetic verse in Noir (Or, When the Night Comes) that captures the emotions and tensions that emerge from the darkness of inner thoughts, wrapping us in their spectral tentacles of pleasure and despair. The poems lure you in with their uninhibited perspective, daring you to experience the rawness of the moment.

Each section of the book whisks you into their noir world of sensations, some heartwarming, some bittersweet and some showing the depths of despair from which there is likely no return. As a reader, I was drawn into each poetic journey, engulfed with the concise artistry of the words. They offer a mindful voyage that I will likely take again and again.

This is a collection that inspires you to explore a plethora of what lies beneath the recesses of the mind and soul. A journey filled with life's joys and sometimes cloudy moments--a highly recommended read!
One person found this helpful
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Angel Wilson
4.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommend
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2021
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Despite not being a huge poetry fan this book kept my attention and absolutely enjoyed reading it from start to finish. I love that poetry's flow and general theme. I definitely recommend it to everyone
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Julie Kusma
5.0 out of 5 stars A Collection of Outstanding Poetry
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2020
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Noir [Or, When the Night Comes] by Derek King

In this four-part poetry collection, King drives the reader through impassioned stages of darkness with “ego eram” and more, moves on to shadow work with exorcisms like “Sacred sacraments” and “Verité,” and delivers us to earthbound places. We rise to meet a “sweet escape...and purge of my soul” in Crimson. The reader will indeed feel the salient pull on their soul in King’s Poe-like poetry. Outstanding— each and every poem.

“so deep, black and endless, just like you...” -White Chipped Cup by Derek King
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Bobby Kountz
5.0 out of 5 stars A Most Pleasant Surprise! I Must Admit, I Was Worried...
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2020
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I was afraid I would find this poetry too dark for my taste. Some of it was. Ah, but most of it wasn't! Like this line for example from the title: Moonlit Shadowed Seas - "Across a void of passion her love sails from me..."
A wonderful collection of poetry from a talented and passionate author! And oh, BTW, "Enchanted" is sure to stir the loins of your soul...
But don't take my word for it, buy it now and find out for yourself!
One person found this helpful
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Samantha Kroese
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! Must read dark poetry!
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2020
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I loved this book so much I read it slow and savored every word. Definitely will be returning to it again and again. Brilliant imagery even in heartbreaking or terrifying poems. I could not recommend this book more to people who love dark things.
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Michelle
5.0 out of 5 stars Noir is the poetry that sheds light on the shadowed soul
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2020
For a poetry book to be about the darkness, Noir definitely is beautiful!

King uses simplistic yet beautiful language to describe the shadow that lurks around the heart of humanity, the shadow the creates longing and despair; and yet, King's method is to eloquently expose this truth with his eloquent poetry.

I highly recommend this book to anyone, because it is a true delight to read. Not only has King published a master poetry book, but one that reminds us of the connection between us all while releasing a feeling of beauty in life with its magical cadence.
One person found this helpful
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GeorgiaWriter
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Collection
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2021
Enjoyed the poems. Would definitely read more of his works.
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Top reviews from other countries

LAW
5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional stuff
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 27, 2022
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Derek R King writes emotional poetry. This is no easy read. I was at times too emotional to continue reading this but I knew it was worth the trouble to persevere. I read poetry aloud to drink in its rhythm, you hear the rhymes your eyes would miss, such is the nature of the English language. This is, at times, an unexpected read. The poet tackles subjects that illustrate his observations of the world are not confined to merely positive experiences. I am grateful I read this. If good poetry should move you and speak to you in unexpected ways, this book has done its job.
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Love
5.0 out of 5 stars A magnificent tapestry of poetic expression
Reviewed in Canada on November 17, 2020
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Derek R. King emerges in Noir, his first poetry book, magnificently capturing the fragility of life, shadows, sorrow, and pain. These emotionally evoking, vulnerable, relatable, raw, and inspiring poems provide catharsis for our fragmented Souls. Through harmonic poetic symmetry, Mr. King shines the light on a shattered mirror with a melancholic lens through which we perceive our world and existence. His brilliant creativity brings forth similar themes that tread in shadows by the great Lord Byron and William Henry Davies.

The quintessential title, Noir, reminds us that even the darkest and most desperate experiences are just aspects of ourselves, yearning for our loving attention, kindness, validation, and healing. Light can only be understood with the wisdom of darkness, and Mr. King eloquently captures all forms of grief, anxiety, loneliness, doubt, heartbreak, love, and despair in this tapestry of poetic cadence.

Alone

I walk the path
alone
in sorrow.
I walk the path
alone
in pain.
I feel the sun is
setting,
shadows calling me,
once again.

These harmonic rhythmic rapturous verses will fodder your poetic appetite and infuse the senses and the heart with melancholy. This is a true mark of artistic expression fostered by popular poets such as EE Cummings, William Shakespeare, and Pablo Neruda. Mr. King’s method of producing poetry is heartfelt, demonstrating honesty, valor, and sincerity. Thank you for sharing your creations with the world, Mr. King. I highly recommend this book and I am eagerly awaiting more of your distinctive, Soulful literary expression.
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Darren U.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good dark stories
Reviewed in Canada on October 27, 2021
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These poems each tell their own dark tale. Some captivated me and made me want to read them again. Of course there are going to be some that don't resonate with everyone, but I loved most of these poems and they spoke to me.

The writer did well to make all the pieces fit together nicely and they all follow the same topic and feel connected.
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Mrs. Marlene J. Woolgar
5.0 out of 5 stars A poetic masterpiece!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 22, 2020
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King by name and king of words when it comes to portraying dark and brooding tales which grip your emotions from page to page. Its not all doom and darkness though. His poems touch on moments in life most of us have experienced: death, passion, separation yet there are also others which leave a lasting impression of the images created in the mind by his mastery, Kraken, for example, is one of my favourites. A future classic. If you enjoy poetry, you will love this!
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whatamiatailor
5.0 out of 5 stars Poetry for Dark and Stormy Nights
Reviewed in Canada on December 5, 2020
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I love Derek R. King’s words. I’ve enjoyed the rolling, flowing, halting, weighted rhythms he’s posted online for some time. I went into this book with high expectations and was not disappointed.

NOIR offers, more than anything else, a mood that is at once, eerie, playful, and morose. If you’re looking for spooky poetry, this is your stop … if you dare to get off.
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