Echoes of Tattered Tongues
News, Reviews & Events
This page contains News, Reviews & Events dealing with Echoes of Tattered Tongues, either in whole or in part. It is a subset of the complete What's Happening section on the Home page.
April 25, 2022 - John Guzlowski at Randolph College, Lynchburg, VA - Prof. Gerard Sherayko, Randolph College, invited author John Guzlowski to speak to his class on the Holocaust and read from his book Echoes of Tattered Tongues. Guzlowski read several poems from the book, and then took questions from the students, who seemed to have been very moved by the poetry.
April 12, 2022 - University of Illinois Literatures & Languages Library Review of Echoes of Tattered Tongues - The University of Illinois Literatures & Languages Library posted an excellent review of John Guzlowski's poetry in Echoes of Tattered Tongues, titled "The Trauma of War and Displacement in the Poetry of John Guzlowski." Acknowledging Guzlowski as "arguably the most accomplished Polish-American poet on the contemporary scene," the review quotes some of Guzlowski's poetry, calling his poems "emotionally powerful" and noting that Guzlowski's poetry "has universal relevance giving voice to countless refugees displaced and traumatized by wars in the past and current centuries." Read the entire review online OR in pdf....
November 15, 2021 - John Guzlowski poem wins Pain Poem Award - The Pain Poem Award was given to John Guzlowski for his poem "My Mother's Optimism" from his book Echoes of Tattered Tongues, published by Aquila Polonica.
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - John Guzlowski featured at Hudson Valley Writers Center event - John Guzlowski, reading from his book Echoes of Tattered Tongues, will be one of three writers featured at the 16th Annual Slapering Hol Press War & Peace Reading, to be held via Zoom from 4 pm to 5:30 pm. Registration and more details at https://feedback.facebook.com/events/156934543274536
July 15, 2021 - Fevers of the Mind Interview with John Guzlowski - Literary site Fevers of the Mind conducts one of its signature "Quick-9 Inteviews" author John Guzlowski. The nine questions focus on Guzlowski's writing career and influences. Guzlowski lists comic books, great high school teachers, his father, and the Chicago immigrant neighborhood where he grew up among the list of what influenced his writing. Read the entire article online OR in pdf.
June 25, 2021 - Parrot Literary Corner interviews John Guzlowski - Author John Guzlowski was interviewed on Parrot Literary Corner by host Dustin Pickering. The interview focused mostly on John's award-winning book Echoes of Tattered Tongues. John read some selections from the book, and discussed the years-long process which resulted in the powerful array of poems that make up Echoes of Tattered Tongues. Parrot Literary Corner hosts live interviews via Zoom with poets and writers globally. Watch the interview on Youtube.
February 6, 2021 - Book Story Gal podcast focuses on John Guzlowski - The Book Story Gal podcast on Spotify devoted an entire episode to author John Guzlowski and his book Echoes of Tattered Tongues. Listen to the podcast at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2rLaD77gUUCL0Kibn82fnm.
October 7, 2020 - Cultural Weekly interviews John Guzlowski - In its "Poets on Craft" feature, Cultural Weekly columnist Bunkong Tuon interviewed John Guzlowski, author of Echoes of Tattered Tongues. Responding to questions about the process of writing a poem, John says: "I absolutely believe in inspiration, the muse that speaks to me. When I first started writing, I thought the idea of a muse was just a gag, some bullshit left over from the Greeks. But then I finally came to believe in the muse after that...." Read the entire interview online OR in pdf.
January 4, 2020 - Polish American Historical Association Award given to author John Guzlowski - At its 77th Annual Meeting in New York City on January 4, 2020, the Polish American Historical Association ("PAHA") awarded the Skalny Civic Achievement Award to author John Guzlowski. In making this award, PAHA said in part "His parents were Polish slave laborers in Nazi Germany during the war [World War II]. In much of his work, Guzlowski remembers and honors the experiences and ultimate strength of these survivors. His critically acclaimed 2016 volume of poetry Echoes of Tattered Tongues is as beautiful as it is harrowing. In his very frequent public speaking engagements, he is commemorating the experience of Polish immigrants in the post-WWII years." The Skalny Award honors individuals or groups who advance PAHA's goals of promoting research and awareness of the Polish-American experience and/or have made significant contributions to Polish or Polish-American community and culture.
November 4, 2019 - Warsaw Institute Interview with John Guzlowski - Terrific interview with Echoes of Tattered Tongues author John Guzlowski in the Warsaw Institute Review feature called "Tell us who you are" by Daniel Pogorzelski. "Renowned Polish-American author and poet John Guzlowski shares with us his struggles and ultimate reconciliation with his Polish identity." Read the interview online or pdf...
October 8, 2019 - Author John Guzlowski Wins Award - We're excited to learn that the Polish–American Historical Association has given Echoes of Tattered Tongues author John Guzlowski the 2019 Skalny Civic Achievement Award, which honors individuals or groups who advance PAHA's goals of promoting research and awareness of the Polish–American experience and/or who have made significant contributions to Polish or Polish–American community and culture. The award will be presented to Guzlowski at the Annual PAHA Awards Banquet on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York City.
September 16, 2018 - Nasiona Magazine Interviews John Guzlowski - Wonderful, wide-ranging interview with John Guzlowski, author of Echoes of Tattered Tongues: Memory Unfolded, by journalist Julian Esteban Torres Lopez in Nasiona Magazine. Mr. Torres Lopez writes: "Your book Echoes of Tattered Tongues: Memory Unfolded is excellent on so many levels. It is raw, moving, real. The writing is compelling. Hypnotic. You speak with honesty of memoirs and the haunting voice of a refugee. Your poems and prose unearth the essence of the human condition. Storytelling at its best." Read the review online or in PDF... Additionally, three poems are excerpted from Echoes of Tattered Tongues and separately posted by Nasiona Magazine here...
April 23, 2018 - Poets and Dreamers reviews Echoes of Tattered Tongues - terrific review of Echoes of Tattered Tongues: Memory Unfolded by John Guzlowski. In conclusion, reviewer Anne Tammel writes: "We see the beauty and power possible in humanity...through this poet's words, we catch a glimpse of what is possible for each of us..." Read the review online or in PDF...
June 20, 2017 - Chicago, IL, LoganSquarist - Nice interview with John Guzlowski, author of Echoes of Tattered Tongues, in the LoganSquarist blog, for World Refugee Day. Read online or pdf...
Spring 2017 - Polish American Studies Reviews Echoes of Tattered Tongues - The Spring 2017 issue of the journal Polish American Studies reviews Echoes of Tattered Tongues. Calling the collection an "intensely personal and visceral experience," the review concludes "Guzlowski's concern for history's 'Polacks,' the voiceless refugees and survivors of war, clearly elevates this collection of poetry and prose above personal memoir and makes it a valuable contemplation of lives lived in the unforgiving crucible of history." Read the review in pdf...
May 1, 2017 - Echoes of Tattered Tongues Wins MONTAIGNE MEDAL - The Eric Hoffer Award has just announced that Echoes of Tattered Tongues won the 2017 Montaigne Medal, which is presented each year to the most thought-provoking books. "Being awarded the 2017 Montaigne Medal is an incredible honor. My publisher and I are both thrilled with this additional recognition that my book Echoes of Tattered Tongues is one of the most important books published this past year," said author John Guzlowski. The Montaigne Medal win follows winning of the GOLD Award for Poetry at the 2017 Benjamin Franklin Awards in April. Read the press release...
April 7, 2017 - Echoes of Tattered Tongues Wins GOLD at Benjamin Franklin Awards - Echoes of Tattered Tongues won the GOLD AWARD for Poetry at the 2017 Benjamin Franklin Awards, in a ceremony held the evening of Friday, April 7, 2017, in Portland, Oregon. The Benjamin Franklin Awards, sponsored by the Independent Book Publishers Association, is the most prestigious awards competition in independent publishing. There were nearly 1,400 entries this year, which were winnowed down to three or four finalists in each category—from these, one winner in each category was chosen by the team of judges. Read the press release...
March 23, 2017 - The Burg Weekly Entertainment Guide, Lynchburg, VA - Very nice feature article on author John Guzlowski, his book Echoes of Tattered Tongues, and his program today as a featured speaker at the Virginia Festival of the Book. Read the article online or in pdf...
March 21, 2017 - Echoes of Tattered Tongues Finalist in 2017 Benjamin Franklin Awards - The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) has announced that Echoes of Tattered Tongues: Memory Unfolded, by John Guzlowski, is a finalist for the 2017 Benjamin Franklin Award in the category of Poetry/Literary Criticism. There were nearly 1,400 entries in the award competition this year. Winners will be announced at a ceremony held in Portland, Oregon, the evening of April 7, 2017. Read the press release...
March 3, 2017 - Virginia Festival of the Book to host John Guzlowski - The Viriginia Festival of the Book has confirmed that it will host John Guzlowski, author of Echoes of Tattered Tongues, at an event on Thursday, March 23, 2017, 2 p.m., at CitySpace, 100 5th Street NE, Charlottesville, VA 22902. "Our readers were quite touched by his writing," wrote Jane Kulow, Director, Virginia Center for the Book, in notifying us that they had chosen Guzlowski as one of their featured speakers. Books will be available for purchase and author signing at the event. Read the press release...
March 3, 2017 - Echoes of Tattered Tongues named Eric Hoffer Award Montaigne Medal Finalist - The Eric Hoffer Award just announced that Echoes of Tattered Tongues by John Guzlowski is a finalist for the 2017 Montaigne Medal! Each year, the Eric Hoffer Award presents the Montaigne Medal to the most thought-provoking books. These are books that either illuminate, progress, or redirect thought. This is an additional distinction beneath the Eric Hoffer Award umbrella. Read the press release...
March 1, 2017 - Atticus Review names John Guzlowski its Featured Poet - In an unusual move, Atticus Review names John Guzlowski as its Featured Poet for the second time, an honor accorded only one other person! Poetry Editor Michael Meyerhofer writes: "When you see the poems, I think you'll understand why." He continues: "John Guzlowski is one of those contemporary poets that you strangely hope the person you're talking to hasn't heard of, just so that you can suggest they check him out and thus earn their undying gratitude." Read the article, with a sample of Guzlowski's poems, online OR pdf...
February 26, 2017 - As It Ought To Be blog reviews Echoes of Tattered Tongues - In this thoughtful and erudite review, Eric Kroczek writes: "Guzlowski's attempt to learn and feel the origins of his parents' pain thus brings us into closer emotional touch with the entirety of the War in Europe, widening by necessity from the particular to the general. It is an unorthodox way of telling such a story...And yet it works, in ways that defy analysis or easy summary...Guzlowski's empathy and imagination are extraordinary, at times truly shocking. His verse, which brings to mind variously Charles Bukowski, Charles Simic, and Philip Levine, has a vernacular concreteness and clarity that is all the more startling when it breaks sharply with realism, and he deftly captures those quirks of personality that bring characters into full view...In every respect, Echoes of Tattered Tongues is an achievement that deserves wide recognition and long remembrance." Read the entire review online OR pdf...
January 5, 2017 - Great review of Echoes of Tattered Tongues from AudioBook Reviewer - "John Z. Guzlowski provides a strong and visual audio script with Echoes of Tattered Tongues. As someone who studied poetry in depth as an undergraduate, I really never expected to hear an audiobook that could pull off poetry in the way this one has....The descriptions of the events were vivid, the story honestly told, and the reflection clearly and sometimes coldly or warmly related....In this story, the reader finds his own humanity and his own unanswered questions a parallel to John Z. Guzlowski's recounting." Read the entire review online OR pdf...
Narrator Jon BrandiCommenting on narrator Jon Brandi, AudioBook Reviewer says he "provides a thoughtful, reflective baritone that accompanies well the gray cloud cover on cover image. He clearly delineates those areas that deserve remembrance and those that moments uplift. Ultimately, his introspective tone, thoughtful and fluid, provide the right accompaniment to an audio delivery of visually startling events." Read the entire review online OR pdf...
Author John GuzlowskiDecember 2016 - War Literature & the Arts interviews John Guzlowski - The December 2016 issue of War, Literature and the Arts: An International Journal of the Humanities selected author John Guzlowski's new book Echoes of Tattered Tongues as its "Editor's Choice" for the year 2016. In a sensitive, thoughtful and wide-ranging interview with Guzlowski, writer Sean Purio explores Guzlowski's writing and what lies beneath it, saying about Echoes: "If honesty has a color, then Guzlowski writes in it." Read the entire interview online or pdf...
October 7 to 9, 2016 - Los Angeles - Guzlowski Echoes Book Tour - Over a whirlwind weekend in early October, author John Guzlowski flew into Los Angeles to do five events and a cable TV interview about his new book Echoes of Tattered Tongues: Memory Unfolded, and its recently released audiobook narrated by actor John Brandi. More....
September 17, 2016 - Verse Daily's Poem of the Day - We're excited that prestigious poetry media outlet Verse Daily has chosen the poem "Today the Gypsies Are Burning" from John Guzlowski's new book, Echoes of Tattered Tongues as its Poem of the Day! Read the Poem of the Day online, OR in pdf...
September 8, 2016 - Harvard Review book review of Echoes of Tattered Tongues - The Harvard Review Online gives a great review of Echoes of Tattered Tongues by John Guzlowski, calling it "a capstone project...commendable for its psychological accuracy." The review, by Okla Elliott, concludes: "Echoes of Tattered Tongues is a formally coherent, challenging, and important book, chronicling the lasting scars of one family with deftness and narrative depth. Guzlowski is often bluntly direct, occasionally lyrically oblique, but both to great effect." Read the review online OR in pdf...
June 21, 2016 - Echoes of Tattered Tongues Audiobook now available! - The audiobook of Echoes of Tattered Tongues in now available on Audible.com, Amazon and iTunes, beautifully narrated by newcomer Jon Brandi. Click here to get it!
April 13, 2016 - World Literature Today reviews Echoes of Tattered Tongues - "Taut...beautifully realized," says World Literature Today in its sensitive and thoughtful review of Echoes of Tattered Tongues. Read the entire review online OR pdf...
April 4, 2016 - Publishers Weekly reviews Echoes of Tattered Tongues - "Gut-wrenching narrative lyric poems," is how Publishers Weekly describes author John Guzlowski's work in Echoes of Tattered Tongues, concluding "Poems of this nature are not meant to alleviate the pain, but to help keep a record of it; to serve as a reminder that silence is not a crime, but forgetting is." Read the entire review online OR pdf...
April 2016 - Virginia Living Magazine reviews Echoes of Tattered Tongues - "This is an astonishing collection," says the Books section of the April 2016 issue of Virginia Living Magazine! Read the review...
April 2016 - Polish American Journal reviews Echoes of Tattered Tongues - "With unapologetic rawness, John Guzlowski gives us his family's memoirs in a mix of poetry and prose in Echoes of Tattered Tongues. In Echoes we are shown the stark experiences of his family in three different time periods: his parents' retirement, after the war, and during World War II." Read the entire review online OR pdf...
March 15, 2016 - Lynchburg, VA - Holocaust Education Foundation of Central Virginia - John Guzlowski, author of Echoes of Tattered Tongues, presented a program titled "The Unknown Face of the Holocaust" at Lynchburg College, sponsored by the Holocaust Education Foundation of Central Virginia. The audience of nearly 200 people engaged in a lively Q&A with the author after his presentation, which included readings 
from his new book, then stayed to purchase books at the event from Givens Books & Little Dickens, which the author signed, and enjoy the complimentary reception afterwards.
February 29, 2016 - Foreword Reviews review of Echoes of Tattered Tongues - Foreword Reviews, one of the major publishing industry media, just gave Echoes of Tattered Tongues a 5-heart review, calling it a "devastating, one-of-a-kind collection." Echoes was one of only six books reviewed in the Poetry Spotlight feature of Foreword Reviews' Spring 2016 issue. Read the review online OR pdf...
February 15, 2016 - Review of Echoes of Tattered Tongues by Danusha Goska - Beautifully written review by Danusha Goska, in her Save Send Delete blog, of Echoes of Tattered Tongues. Among other things, she says: "Guzlowski's book is essential for anyone wanting fully to understand ethnicity in America... Through authentic and meticulously observed and recorded details, Guzlowski reaches the universal. All readers, of any ethnicity or life experience, will find something to identify with in these pages...This is an excellent, important, and highly recommended book." Read the review online OR pdf...
January 31, 2016 - Cosmopolitan Review reviews Echoes of Tattered Tongues - Wonderful review of our upcoming March release Echoes of Tattered Tongues by John Guzlowski, in the Winter 2016 issue of Cosmopolitan Review, written by Maja Trochimczyk! Detailed, thoughtful, erudite, the review begins: "Some books take a lifetime to write, yet they can be read in one sleepless night, filled with tears of compassion and a heaviness of heart." Calling the book "unforgettable," Ms. Trochimczyk concludes: "Intensely personal, the book is, at the same time, universal...impeccable use of language...The book is an historical and literary revelation...intense, starkly realistic...It should be considered on a par with the work by giants of Holocaust literature—memoirs by Primo Levi, or stories by Tadeusz Borowski." Read the entire review online OR pdf...
January 7, 2016 - Shelf Awareness "Book Trailer of the Day" - Wow! Shelf Awareness chose our book trailer for Echoes of Tattered Tongues as its Book Trailer of the Day, calling the book "a searing memoir!
December 27, 2015 - Bibliotekos Advance Review of Echoes of Tattered Tongues - Bibliotekos has posted an awesome review of our upcoming March 2016 release Echoes of Tattered Tongues: Memory Unfolded by John Guzlowski, based on the Advance Review Copy of the book. Reviewer Gregory Tague, Professor of English at St. Francis College and Editor of Battle Runes: Writings on War and Common Boundary: Stories of Immigration, says among other things: "These are poems whose images and metaphors have undergone the finest grinding, becoming crystal lenses to magnify the inner and outer lives of his parents. The clear poetic/narrative voice is remarkably strong yet elegant—this is not a random collection but the story of a family across generations dealing with the consequences of world war." Calling the book "a magnificent elegy to civilian lives lost or shattered in war and thereafter," Professor Tague concludes: "Guzlowski has successfully undertaken a monumental, moral obligation." In an accompanying email, Professor Tague said "I could not praise it enough—masterfully done. Really reads almost like a novel." Read the entire review as pdf OR online...
Aquila Polonica booth at 2015 ASEEES.November 19–22, 2015 - Association for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies Annual Convention, Philadelphia - Aquila Polonica exhibited at the 2015 ASEEES annual convention in Philadelphia—marking our sixth year at ASEEES! John Guzlowski, author of Aquila Polonica's March 2016 release, Echoes of Tattered Tongues: Memory Unfolded, attended the convention, and a stack of Advance Review Copies of the book was given away gratis to interested attendees. For photos and a more complete report...
L-R: Author John Guzlowski, Aquila Polonica translator Jarek Garlinski, Aquila Polonica creative director Ewa Wojciak.
