I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Author and Poet Chad Faries shares a powerful collection of poems about Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in “Amasa Speaker Factory.”

THE SYNOPSIS

Speaker Factory wanders Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with a mining helmet, a pickaxe, and a dizzying soundtrack.

Chad Faries sifts through abandoned mines, family history, and the quiet damage of loving Iron County, Michigan–a place that keeps trying to break him. His poetry mines the U.P.’s economic decline, stubborn resilience, and awkward small-town rituals, balancing bleak humor with bruised affection. Both a personal autopsy and a regional love letter, Faries proves that identity, like iron, is forged under pressure and usually leaves a mess behind.

THE REVIEW

This is a moving, compelling collection of poems. The author’s writing brought humor and heart to a very specific region of the United States, transporting readers to Iron County, Michigan, to explore abandoned mine ruins and personal family dynamics at the same time. The powerful imagery in these poems deepened readers’ immersion as they connected with Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the author’s own experiences.

The most memorable aspect of this book was how the author wrote in a way that felt personal and emotional while also making it feel as if different narrators were telling their own stories. One personal favorite of mine was Alley Cats, as the Author beautifully described childhood friendships and the personal freedoms their connection brought as shared experiences. The unique perspective the author brings to this book lets readers connect not only with those experiences, but with the imagery and atmosphere so unique to this region.

THE VERDICT

Compelling, immersive, and engaging, Author Chad Faries’ “Amassa Speaker Factory: Poems” is a must-read collection of poetry. The almost narrative approach, along with the memorable, honest reflection, stands out. The author poured in shared experiences and childhood memories, and the powerful way this writing brought the region to life on the page made readers truly appreciate its local, small-town culture and beautiful imagery. If you haven’t yet, please be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAD FARIES is the author of two poetry collections, The Border Will Be Soon and The Book of Knowledge and the memoir Drive Me Out of My Mind. He divides his time between Iron River, Michigan and Thunderbolt, Georgia.