The Holy Longing is a debut collection from a powerful new voice. These confessional poems by Vera Graziadei celebrate the wonder and mystery of everyday experience, from the marvels of solitude and creativity, to the trials and joys of human relationships, to moments of spiritual reflection and enlightenment. The Holy Longing encourages readers to realise the momentous role that passion can play in our lives, as a source of inner strength, of healing, and of personal discovery.

Graziadei’s rich and evocative verse finds wisdom in love and sensuality, in pain and loss, and in the majesty of the natural world. Her lyrical poetry is intimate and universal, elegant and wild, sensual and visceral, brimming with energy and emotion. Graziadei’s restlessness and curiosity makes The Holy Longing a compelling and life affirming collection, recognising imaginative possibilities in the places we least expect to find them.

I really enjoyed this brief poetry book that provided not only emotional interest but had some great design in the book that kept us looking at words very differently.

The cover doesn’t quite match the inside personality of the book, but it’s a nice touch to the overall concept.

The voice was strong in the book and I definitely recommend others checking this out. It’s a nice contrast from other popular poetry books like Milk & Honey and I Wrote This Just For You.

The Holy Longing is a debut collection of new poems. I chose to read this book on National Poetry Day as I'd never read anything by Vera Graziadei before. I'm glad I did. These poems are lyrical and sensual.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read them.