I read this book after two different people recommended it to me. I should mention that both people who recommended the book are friends of Barot's. I found this book to be rather average in terms of first books. I wasn't impressed, and I wasn't annoyed. I am not sure what to make of all the attention this book is getting on Amazon; clearly Barot has friends and enemies. This book lead me to believe Barot has talent, but like many first books, the talent has yet to be realized here. Many of these poems are too hermetic, too in love with beauty to see the real subjects behind the poems. That this book won a contest doesn't surprise me. I am sure it is better than the vast majority of book manuscripts being entered in the contests. But in the grand scheme of things, this book is simply a signal there might be better things to come. This is a book worthy of a read, just not worthy of a purchase. Check your local library.