Book Review: The Weight of Black Holes by Vincent Hollow
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When offered the opportunity to read The Weight of Black Holes by Vincent Hollow in exchange for a review, I snapped up the chance. I love poetry that is evocative, crisp, and original. Every poem within this book is a galactic exploration of the cosmic and self.
Devoid of his eyes and bones and an artificial intelligence implant for his only companion, the astronaut navigates space. He is broken from lost love, unsure of what home looks like, and searching beyond the galaxy for a feeling to make him whole.
As he discovers pockets of the cosmos man never conceived of, he begins to traverse through his inner grief and memories with the help of his artificial intelligence companion’s simple reflections on his troubles.
The Weight of Black Holes by Vincent Hollow Cover 
The astronaut stumbles. He loses himself to dreams of past love and nightmares of loss. Everything he encounters, from the unfamiliar stars and black holes, remind him of the shape and smell and sound of her, his passed beloved. He poetically chronicles his journey in naked words and blunt imagery.
You will root for him as his thoughts become blurred and disjointed yet still come together to form a clear and sorrowful picture. You will hope for him. You will smile with him, wonder with him, and walk with him. “My own little pearl/glistening, as I placed it/inside my ribs.”
The astronaut sees what he wants to see. He sees his encounters literally, forming pictures and stories out of the reality he perceives. Other times, it is his artificial intelligence companion who invades the privacy of his abstract and emotional mind with honest remarks about what he sees. In pulling him away from his beloved, the artificial intelligence makes his lover more precious to him and more tangible.
While the poems in The Weight of Black Holes vary in length, it is the layout of the book that makes this poetic story an unforgettable read. Each page’s consistent illustrations further the science fiction feel of the story and add a layer to the way the poems are read that words cannot.
Inner Page Layout 
Inner Illustrations
The Weight of Black Holes is a story of seeking home and resolving what it is to have lost love. It is the story of holding onto the memory of one’s beloved and keeping her alive in thought and word. It is a story away from home. Each page is a reminder that the astronaut is light years away from earth in unknown galactic territory, facing the horrors and beauty of nameless space.
The Weight of Black Holes by Vincent Hollow serves up this abstract yet grounded read on paper that is silky to touch. As one entity, the book is worth every ounce.
In words as lovely as “your apparition/shape-shifting/swan eyes” and as searching as “have to stay/make me immortal/in the timelines bent/molds with cracks”, the poetry is mournful, reflective, amazed, wistful, satisfied, and memorable.
Against the backdrop of the galaxy and the indifferent perspective of the artificial intelligence companion, this astronaut’s journey is one you will share from his first launching point to the extraordinary doors that lead him home.
This book is for you if you love the doors travel opens, if you love the thrill and quietude of the unknown, and if you too wish to reconnect with what you have lost.
If you are so inspired, you can pick up a copy of The Weight of Black Holes through Amazon, or check out Vincent Hollow’s website for a further glimpse into his world of words and poetry.
Looking for more books to read? Check out my review category!
Karalee
I haven’t heard of this book before, but I’ve been wanting to read more poetry so I’ll have to check it out!
aimsysantics
This book sounds intriguing, although not the usual type I would head for. Sounds like you enjoyed the book! Thanks for the review!
Aimsy xoxo
lilbooktopus
I love your review of this book! You did a wonderful job with pointing out amazing bits of the book! Love the layout too – how it adds more space-y feels to the pages!
Jaya Avendel
Yes, the pages really do add to the book. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
ellegracedeveson
I haven’t heard of this book before but it sounds really interesting! I love the sound of it. I’ll defiantly be picking this up. Thank you so much for sharing Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Gemma Jayne
I don’t read much poetry, but I do have some friends that would love this so I am definitely going to recommend this to them
traveladdictedunicorn
Wow this sounds so unique!! I’ve never heard of anything like this before! I really like this concept of an astronaut in space and what he is thinking and experiencing.
readandreviewit1
Fab review! I don’t usually read much poetry but this sounds absolutely lovely, I love that it focuses on an astronaut searching for answers – it’s such a unique concept! The layout looks beautiful too, I might just have to check this out. Thanks for sharing!
Jaya Avendel
Thanks for sharing your lovely thoughts!
Jodie | That Happy Reader
This sounds like a very interesting read and one that requires thinking outside of a box. Thanks for sharing your review Jaya!
ankevandermerwe
I love the way the book is layout and your take on the book! Great post.
Caroline
The look alone of this book is beautiful! It sounds super interesting 🙂
Jocelyn
Oh wow! This book sounds really interesting! Plus, look at that pages! That looks so awesome. Loved it! Thanks for sharing xxx
mummyconqueringanxiety
The book sounds interesting and unlike anything I’ve read before. Very intrigued. Adding to my reading list 🙂 you’re review is also so well written
Jaya Avendel
Thank you so much!
jessica
this sounds like an amazing book! definitely adding it to my list to read!! thank you sharing xoxo
jessica | http://www.overdressedblogger.com
Michele Lee
I am very intrigued. If this book is half as enthralling as your review, it is a must read!
Charity
This sounds like such a great book. Thanks for sharing your review of it. I will have to check it out!
Stephanie
This definitely sounds like an intriguing concept and format for poetry. I’ve never heard of anything quite like it and I really enjoyed reading your review of it!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Stephanie!
Isa A
Absolutely loved the review. The doors that travel opens is nothing compared to all else you experience, the main source to open to your mind. I love dthay his writing will engross you to learn his point of view to things. We need to learn and consider others perspectives too. Exactly what could open our minds. This seems a great source. Xx
Isa A. Blogger
https://www.lifestyleprism.com/
Jaya Avendel
Love what you took away from this review, Isa! Thank you so much.
A Sustainably Simple Life
This sounds amazing! I love that the layout of the pages are an additional layer of experience to the story. I don’t think I’ve every read a poetry book that was a continued story throughout. I’m fascinated by this concept. Thanks so much for sharing!
Jaya Avendel
The Weight of Black Holes is unlike anything I have ever read. I love that you find its concept fascinating. 🙂
thetravelvine
This sounds like a really interesting book. Can I ask, is the whole book one long poem made from a story? If that’s the case that sounds very cool. I’ve never reading anything like this before. I also love the clever title too as it’s like black holes are related to bad break-ups, if you know what I mean 🙂
Jaya Avendel
Each poem is complete on its own, but the entire book is a story when read poem to poem.
thetravelvine
Ahh cool. What a great idea 🙂
Ingrid
This is a fascinating concept for a poetry collection, Jaya! You have made me want to read it!
Merry
Personally, I love the cover, so intriguing! Sounds like a lovely book, I have one with poem collections, but this one would be special because the space themed. Thank you for sharing your review, Jaya x
Unwanted Life
A thought for a second this was going to be a nonfiction science book. It sounds like an interesting collection of poetry, given that it all seems to be space themed, which I don’t think I’ve ever seen before
Lauren
This book sounds interesting. I haven’t heard of it before. It is not what I would usually read, but it sounds like an interesting storyline. Thank you for sharing about this book and your experience.
Lauren
simplyalexjean
Wow I love the way this book is set up with the poems so nicely laid out – you’ve done a lovely job of outlining some interesting parts with the story and done an excellent job reviewing it.
summer with monika
I’ll check it out!
Molly @ Transatlantic Notes
It sounds like this book takes the reader (through the character of the astronaut) on quite a journey. I like that it seems that the reader will form quite a bond with him — this is a really interesting story! Thanks for sharing!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you! I am delighted you enjoyed this review. 🙂