"Books are mirrors. You only see in them what you already have inside of you."
~Carlos Zafon
~Carlos Zafon
Love for poetry
"Monsoon Showers by Jaspreet Mann is a book of beautiful poetry and thought-provoking words. To thoroughly enjoy it, you need to take your time and ponder each and every entry. I would highly suggest it for those of you who have been hurt in your relationships. The words will bring you comfort."
~TN Mama, Writer. USA
"I was fascinated by Jaspreet's poems. They are beautiful in their straightforwardness, honesty of thought & expression and spectacular use of words. The tone is reflective, self exploratory, angry, hopeful and spiritual as she allows her poems to lead the way for her. Her style is very unique, very individual and very captivating. One thing is evident from her poetry and that is- she is a strong woman who knows her mind even though she might be surrounded by tempests raging all about her. Powerful, fearless expression by a woman of remarkable intelligence."
~Gretchen Ferreira Sanchez, Editor-Manila Sky, Philippines.
"Walking around in circles, lurking in dark corners, hiding behind pots and pans, between indifference and sighs, are words full of surprise, begging and longing for life." Words "long for life," great writers give it to them. Here is life that flows from the pages like a leaping river and courses through the reader's veins, eventually granting wings. This is what Mann's writing always does for me. This is my second book by Mann. Now I have wings. Now I have found literary freedom again, celebrated around a nostalgic campground in my heart. The poems of "Flashback" are unapologetically sincere as each one pines to take the reader into their literary souls. They embody the stark yet beautiful tragicness of the human condition, the gentle silence as well as the toxicity of relationships, and the gorgeously pitiable yearnings of existence. They have a signature wistfulness that belongs to Mann alone. Don't just read contemporary poetry. Read Mann."
~Jesse Giles Christiansen, Poet/Writer. USA
"Jaspreet Mann's poems turn the noise of life into listening for a meaning, into the gentle rumination of a poet, a young woman with a great capacity of observation at the world, and most of all at herself. Her skilfully-written compilation of poetry explores moments of conflict, sadness, and longing. I had the pleasure to read poems by this gifted, unique poet and I am deeply moved by her insights, most of which have a profound sense of wistfulness to them."
~Uvi Poznansky, Artist, Poet/Writer. USA
"Reading Jaspreet's poems reminded me what it was like reading symbolist poetry during my youth. The same excitement of reading Babel or Seventh Heaven by Patti Smith. Jaspreet has that magic...I immediately loved the poem "When the perfume bottle broke" which I recorded spontaneously. Making Stars a collection of poems by her is a reminder of the genuine-heart-language that exist despite the currents of the world..as genuine as time itself that can't be defied."
-Victor Morgado, Artist, Painter, Writer, Musician. USA
"Absolute connect, is what I felt while reading this young poet's work. She made me cry, she made me laugh and most of all she made me love with a depth and understanding. All I could do was shake my head and say- Been there. Seen it. Felt it. Stunning poems that can make anybody fall in love with her words. Being so gorgeously beautiful also helps."
~Jessica Rhodes, Poet. Artist. USA
"I was at an Amazon store in Portland and happened to glance at a collection of poems titled, 'Contraband' by Jaspreet Mann. Intrigued, I bought it and believe me by the time I reached the last poem, I was breathless with delight. The profundity of her poetry is mesmerizing. It makes you understand life and the beauty of love in a dismal world. She has a heart and it is filled with poetry and love."
~ Max Rizal, Poet. USA
"Jaspreet Mann's poems are sheer electricity. She writes with such a ferocity that for a moment the reader has a feeling that he is on a live wire exploring his own dangerous territory and feelings that he has tried to keep hidden in the closet. As a woman, I can relate to every word, every syllable of her dynamite poetry."
~Nava Shaliv, Artist. Israel
"Jaspreet Mann is fiercely brilliant. Her poems glitter with passion, emotion and love. Her poems are so intense that one is left speechless after tasting them. I am consistently in awe of her remarkable intelligence and her poems prove beyond doubt that very few people can handle words like her. Her poems have a beauty beyond words, to say the least."
~David Aschermann, Author/Conceptual Poet/Artist, Journalist, Publisher. Germany
~TN Mama, Writer. USA
"I was fascinated by Jaspreet's poems. They are beautiful in their straightforwardness, honesty of thought & expression and spectacular use of words. The tone is reflective, self exploratory, angry, hopeful and spiritual as she allows her poems to lead the way for her. Her style is very unique, very individual and very captivating. One thing is evident from her poetry and that is- she is a strong woman who knows her mind even though she might be surrounded by tempests raging all about her. Powerful, fearless expression by a woman of remarkable intelligence."
~Gretchen Ferreira Sanchez, Editor-Manila Sky, Philippines.
"Walking around in circles, lurking in dark corners, hiding behind pots and pans, between indifference and sighs, are words full of surprise, begging and longing for life." Words "long for life," great writers give it to them. Here is life that flows from the pages like a leaping river and courses through the reader's veins, eventually granting wings. This is what Mann's writing always does for me. This is my second book by Mann. Now I have wings. Now I have found literary freedom again, celebrated around a nostalgic campground in my heart. The poems of "Flashback" are unapologetically sincere as each one pines to take the reader into their literary souls. They embody the stark yet beautiful tragicness of the human condition, the gentle silence as well as the toxicity of relationships, and the gorgeously pitiable yearnings of existence. They have a signature wistfulness that belongs to Mann alone. Don't just read contemporary poetry. Read Mann."
~Jesse Giles Christiansen, Poet/Writer. USA
"Jaspreet Mann's poems turn the noise of life into listening for a meaning, into the gentle rumination of a poet, a young woman with a great capacity of observation at the world, and most of all at herself. Her skilfully-written compilation of poetry explores moments of conflict, sadness, and longing. I had the pleasure to read poems by this gifted, unique poet and I am deeply moved by her insights, most of which have a profound sense of wistfulness to them."
~Uvi Poznansky, Artist, Poet/Writer. USA
"Reading Jaspreet's poems reminded me what it was like reading symbolist poetry during my youth. The same excitement of reading Babel or Seventh Heaven by Patti Smith. Jaspreet has that magic...I immediately loved the poem "When the perfume bottle broke" which I recorded spontaneously. Making Stars a collection of poems by her is a reminder of the genuine-heart-language that exist despite the currents of the world..as genuine as time itself that can't be defied."
-Victor Morgado, Artist, Painter, Writer, Musician. USA
"Absolute connect, is what I felt while reading this young poet's work. She made me cry, she made me laugh and most of all she made me love with a depth and understanding. All I could do was shake my head and say- Been there. Seen it. Felt it. Stunning poems that can make anybody fall in love with her words. Being so gorgeously beautiful also helps."
~Jessica Rhodes, Poet. Artist. USA
"I was at an Amazon store in Portland and happened to glance at a collection of poems titled, 'Contraband' by Jaspreet Mann. Intrigued, I bought it and believe me by the time I reached the last poem, I was breathless with delight. The profundity of her poetry is mesmerizing. It makes you understand life and the beauty of love in a dismal world. She has a heart and it is filled with poetry and love."
~ Max Rizal, Poet. USA
"Jaspreet Mann's poems are sheer electricity. She writes with such a ferocity that for a moment the reader has a feeling that he is on a live wire exploring his own dangerous territory and feelings that he has tried to keep hidden in the closet. As a woman, I can relate to every word, every syllable of her dynamite poetry."
~Nava Shaliv, Artist. Israel
"Jaspreet Mann is fiercely brilliant. Her poems glitter with passion, emotion and love. Her poems are so intense that one is left speechless after tasting them. I am consistently in awe of her remarkable intelligence and her poems prove beyond doubt that very few people can handle words like her. Her poems have a beauty beyond words, to say the least."
~David Aschermann, Author/Conceptual Poet/Artist, Journalist, Publisher. Germany
Love for 'A Road in the Sky'
"Read the first story Good Fences last night and loved it. Such a sensitive and evocative story of love and betrayal that is ironically set on political borders but depicts the psychological landscape of the male who is so easily seduced and without borders. Beautifully written and leaves the reader frozen with empathy and paralysed by grief at Kuku's discovery. The world slipped under her feet and she had a feeling she was falling into an abyss. The story was skilfully severed at this point leaving the climatic situation and Kuku at the height of this tragic realisation. Looking forward to reading more."
-Angie Vanderbyl, Educator/Writer. Australia
‘A Road in the Sky’, is just awesome. In each short story that I read, I could see how much care has been taken to put forth very sensitively etched thoughts. In every detail, a magnificent sense of fashion can be felt and seen. The characters come alive, while you read the book. Their environment is felt and their joys & sorrows understood, as if they were one’s own. A Road in the Sky is a meaningful journey full of twists and turns that has emerged as beautiful stories in the book.
~ Steve Barnes, Artist. USA
"A Road in the Sky, was splendid, any body who has ever loved any one will appreciate the pain and longing in the stories. Two Pigeons was an unexpected surprise, but so appropriate!!!! The two trapped pigeons!!! Bombay Blues, The Scheme of Things and A Road in the Sky were my absolute favourites. Jaspreet is a wonderful story teller, felt like we were having a cup of tea and she was narrating all these wonderful stories in her deep exotic voice."
~ Daniel Levy, Writer. Israel
"A Road in the Sky is a collection of love stories written by Jaspreet Mann. As I was not able to get the copy in Colombo, I asked a friend in Calcutta to mail me one. It was really rewarding to read the finely sketched stories. The synopsis is well written in the blurb. I urge every one of my friends to read too by getting a copy of this fabulous collection of short stories from the Indian subcontinent. It is something which we can easily relate to and feel the heartbeat of the stories ourselves. I like the way each story opens by quoting one of the great poets or writers. There are thirteen short stories and the fourteenth story is a beautiful collection of short love letters that have endless depth.
Karma. T. Wangchuk, Artist. Bhutan
"The Perfect Muse got me for the setting, the 1984 carnage, politically motivated and sustained. I could sense and identify with the rage. When political powers wield the sword against the very people they have to protect, and the system can't get them because they are the system for such a long time, the pen works. I'd say fiction works better than the facts never allowed to surface! 'Love letters from the other side' from 'a road in the sky' vibrates and lives with a sweeping intensity, Jaspreet. The poetry comes in tidal waves. Thank you for this beauty! The more I read your work, the more I like you Jaspreet!"
~Harvinder Kaur, Poet/Writer, Administrator, Educator. India
Lyrical, deeply philosophical prose that melds together the everyday experiences of the characters and elevates them into something unique and at the same time, universal:
"As their scorpio moved into the night that rushed in to swallow them, Kuku has a feeling that she was falling into an abyss. The journey had been much longer than she thought it would be. The deep ravine on the left did not scare her at all and she was no longer intimidated by the start naked mountains that towered over them.”
These words allow you to sense, in the most profound way, the transformation of the characters as they find a way out of their fears and trepidations into a more confident self. The stories are firmly planted in a reality intimately familiar to the author, as the character names and some of the titles such as ‘Bombay Blues’ suggest. Yet despite of the local flavor—or maybe because of it—the stories bring home to us, in beautiful, aromatic language, conflicts and issues that are part of the human experience. The stories are told with the power of quiet, gentle observation, noting not only behavior but also a sensual stream of consciousness:
“Angad stared at the ceiling, as he lay in bed with his hands beneath his head and wondered if it was Sunday, after all. There was unparalleled bliss in lying in the warmth of the quilt on a cold winter morning and he intended making the most of it.”
To use the author’s own words in her 'Afterword', what really matters is that she stood in front of life, looked at it square in the eye, and painted the canvas of her stories with colors of her own. She found her own road in the sky.
~Uvi Poznansky, Artist, Poet/Writer. USA
When we read a good book, we escape the minutia of our daily lives, entering a world where we dwell as sweetly haunted, wilfull, temporary inhabitants. When we read a great book, we find a road in the sky, a road paved partly of prose that fuse nature with a literary tension that quivers our souls like miniature symphony concert halls. "The cold war had begun. It invaded all the spaces of the house. It was in the mathematical clinking of cutlery at the dining table, in the aloofness of the familiar room, in the silence of the night, and in the humdrum of daylight." Notice how this sentence by Mann in her short story Two Pigeons, does not just describe the world, but marries human emotion with reality. That's what great books do.But this collection of Mann's short stories do far more than deliver deeply talented literary prose, including poignant similes, wistful description, and interesting plots, they also paint roads in the sky via love stories in which the culture of her maiden country sings out with operatic passing scenery as the reader flies away to many different stories of ordinary people who find their true romantic destinies. Each story speaks to the human condition, the longing, the excited misery, and the delicious twists of fate that every love story holds in its bosom. She captures the beautiful and sometimes fleeting yet unforgettable essence of love each and every time. I look forward to watching this poet's storytelling skills evolve, one day into perhaps even a full novel. And I will read her future books and relish them and, most of all, hope to find not just literature to escape into, but that which creates, for both me and other readers, more roads in the sky.
~Jesse Giles Christiansen, Writer. USA
-Angie Vanderbyl, Educator/Writer. Australia
‘A Road in the Sky’, is just awesome. In each short story that I read, I could see how much care has been taken to put forth very sensitively etched thoughts. In every detail, a magnificent sense of fashion can be felt and seen. The characters come alive, while you read the book. Their environment is felt and their joys & sorrows understood, as if they were one’s own. A Road in the Sky is a meaningful journey full of twists and turns that has emerged as beautiful stories in the book.
~ Steve Barnes, Artist. USA
"A Road in the Sky, was splendid, any body who has ever loved any one will appreciate the pain and longing in the stories. Two Pigeons was an unexpected surprise, but so appropriate!!!! The two trapped pigeons!!! Bombay Blues, The Scheme of Things and A Road in the Sky were my absolute favourites. Jaspreet is a wonderful story teller, felt like we were having a cup of tea and she was narrating all these wonderful stories in her deep exotic voice."
~ Daniel Levy, Writer. Israel
"A Road in the Sky is a collection of love stories written by Jaspreet Mann. As I was not able to get the copy in Colombo, I asked a friend in Calcutta to mail me one. It was really rewarding to read the finely sketched stories. The synopsis is well written in the blurb. I urge every one of my friends to read too by getting a copy of this fabulous collection of short stories from the Indian subcontinent. It is something which we can easily relate to and feel the heartbeat of the stories ourselves. I like the way each story opens by quoting one of the great poets or writers. There are thirteen short stories and the fourteenth story is a beautiful collection of short love letters that have endless depth.
Karma. T. Wangchuk, Artist. Bhutan
"The Perfect Muse got me for the setting, the 1984 carnage, politically motivated and sustained. I could sense and identify with the rage. When political powers wield the sword against the very people they have to protect, and the system can't get them because they are the system for such a long time, the pen works. I'd say fiction works better than the facts never allowed to surface! 'Love letters from the other side' from 'a road in the sky' vibrates and lives with a sweeping intensity, Jaspreet. The poetry comes in tidal waves. Thank you for this beauty! The more I read your work, the more I like you Jaspreet!"
~Harvinder Kaur, Poet/Writer, Administrator, Educator. India
Lyrical, deeply philosophical prose that melds together the everyday experiences of the characters and elevates them into something unique and at the same time, universal:
"As their scorpio moved into the night that rushed in to swallow them, Kuku has a feeling that she was falling into an abyss. The journey had been much longer than she thought it would be. The deep ravine on the left did not scare her at all and she was no longer intimidated by the start naked mountains that towered over them.”
These words allow you to sense, in the most profound way, the transformation of the characters as they find a way out of their fears and trepidations into a more confident self. The stories are firmly planted in a reality intimately familiar to the author, as the character names and some of the titles such as ‘Bombay Blues’ suggest. Yet despite of the local flavor—or maybe because of it—the stories bring home to us, in beautiful, aromatic language, conflicts and issues that are part of the human experience. The stories are told with the power of quiet, gentle observation, noting not only behavior but also a sensual stream of consciousness:
“Angad stared at the ceiling, as he lay in bed with his hands beneath his head and wondered if it was Sunday, after all. There was unparalleled bliss in lying in the warmth of the quilt on a cold winter morning and he intended making the most of it.”
To use the author’s own words in her 'Afterword', what really matters is that she stood in front of life, looked at it square in the eye, and painted the canvas of her stories with colors of her own. She found her own road in the sky.
~Uvi Poznansky, Artist, Poet/Writer. USA
When we read a good book, we escape the minutia of our daily lives, entering a world where we dwell as sweetly haunted, wilfull, temporary inhabitants. When we read a great book, we find a road in the sky, a road paved partly of prose that fuse nature with a literary tension that quivers our souls like miniature symphony concert halls. "The cold war had begun. It invaded all the spaces of the house. It was in the mathematical clinking of cutlery at the dining table, in the aloofness of the familiar room, in the silence of the night, and in the humdrum of daylight." Notice how this sentence by Mann in her short story Two Pigeons, does not just describe the world, but marries human emotion with reality. That's what great books do.But this collection of Mann's short stories do far more than deliver deeply talented literary prose, including poignant similes, wistful description, and interesting plots, they also paint roads in the sky via love stories in which the culture of her maiden country sings out with operatic passing scenery as the reader flies away to many different stories of ordinary people who find their true romantic destinies. Each story speaks to the human condition, the longing, the excited misery, and the delicious twists of fate that every love story holds in its bosom. She captures the beautiful and sometimes fleeting yet unforgettable essence of love each and every time. I look forward to watching this poet's storytelling skills evolve, one day into perhaps even a full novel. And I will read her future books and relish them and, most of all, hope to find not just literature to escape into, but that which creates, for both me and other readers, more roads in the sky.
~Jesse Giles Christiansen, Writer. USA