An Extraordinary Collection of Poems, “Kintsugi,” by Robert D. Grappel Was Displayed at the Hong Kong Book Fair 2023

Robert D. Grappel’s collection of poems, “Kintsugi,” was exhibited at the 2023 Hong Kong Book Fair, which was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong, last July 19-25, 2023.

The self-publishing and book marketing company ReadersMagnet was responsible for displaying Grappel’s “Kintsugi” at the Hong Kong Book Fair. The company is committed to sharing the works of independent and self-published authors with the world to get their message across, expand their brand and following, and connect with readers and booksellers. Exhibiting at book events such as the Hong Kong Book Fair is one way to help authors fulfill their book marketing goals.

“Kintsugi” is a collection of poems and illustrations covering diverse themes such as Japanese art forms, politics, science, travel, religion, and music. The ideas for the book came to the author as a gift. Now, he wants to pass down the gifts to his readers. “Kintsugi” is Robert Grappel’s third book, continuing the momentum of his first two books.

The poems in “Kintsugi” came from different fields of inspiration. As mentioned, it diversely tackles Japanese art forms, politics, science, travel, religion, and music. This book provides an insight into the author’s thoughts and feelings towards the world around him using a Japanese-themed creative art form as a central theme. The Japanese art form, Kintsugi, is a way of mending broken pottery, repairing and sealing the broken pieces together using gold lacquer to make a beautiful whole. Grappel uses this as a metaphor for repairing a fractured world.

Get a copy of Robert D. Grappel’s “Kintsugi” on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Learn more about the author and his other projects at www.grappelcohen.com.

“Kintsugi”
Author| Robert D. Grappel
Published Date| April 21, 2022
Publisher| BookBaby
Genre| Poetry & Inspiration

Author’s Biography

Robert’s journey to becoming a "serious" poet began during his freshman year in college at the University of Michigan. All of the "science nerds" like him were required to take at least one semester’s credit in English to graduate. He was determined not to waste time in a freshman English course. Fortunately, the U. of M. honors college had a special program that allowed students to take any course if the professor would accept them. Despite his nervousness, he decided to sign up for a graduate-level course in poetry composition to fulfill his English requirement. It’s unclear why Professor Hall accepted him into the course, but Robert can say that Professor Hall’s class was the most challenging ’B’ he earned in college – it made freshman Physics seem easy by comparison.

Professor Hall mandated that each student write a new poem for every class session. He, too, composed a new poem for each class and had all the poems read aloud anonymously, followed by spirited discussions and critiques. Even Professor Hall’s poems didn’t escape the class’s criticism. (Two years later, Robert had Professor Hall’s son in a Physics class where he was the teaching assistant, and he had to restrain his criticism of the son’s work.)

Professor Donald Hall authored over 50 books across various genres, including children’s literature, biography, memoirs, essays, and 22 volumes of verse. He served as the 14th Poet Laureate of the United States.

In most bookstores, poetry books are shelved alphabetically by the author’s name. Robert’s three slim volumes of original poetry are placed right alongside Donald Hall’s extensive collection of books. Robert wonders if Professor Hall knew what he had initiated when he allowed a freshman to enroll in his class in 1968.

Finally, Robert would like to express gratitude to all those who served as inspiration for these poems. They appeared almost fully formed in his consciousness, and he had to record them before they could vanish into the ethereal realm where beauty is conceived. He has polished and refined these gifts, wrapping them in glossy paper and tying them with a delicate silk bow.

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