This is Reynolds’ third chapbook and it is clear to see her writing gets better with every collection. I said this after reading Mislilac but the growth present in Another Day in Paradise is palpable. Reynolds’ work has always been raw, truthful and visceral but in this collection she interwove cutting intelligence, vulnerability and aching … Continue reading Review of Another Day in Paradise, H. M. Reynolds
I Write, Therefore I Am is the debut poetry collection from Alexis Mitchell and documents the journey she has been on since she was sixteen. Thus, as the collection progresses, Mitchell’s poetry develops; as a writer she finds a home in her words and it was a pleasure to witness this growth. Undeniably, Mitchell does … Continue reading Review of I Write, Therefore I Am, Alexis Mitchell
Konstantin by Tom Bullough is a moving and an evocative tale of ambition, adversity and the beauty of science. Spanning from his childhood to the birth of his first child, we follow Konstantin’s life and the moments which shaped him; which propelled his desire to unpick the seemingly impossible task of travelling into space. Bullough’s … Continue reading Review of Konstantin, Tom Bullough
Today, on Thursday, 1st October, (aptly National Poetry Day) Olivia Snowdrop celebrates the release of her debut poetry collection, Snowdrop: A Collection. Below is an interview with Olivia and there will be details about where you can buy the collection and follow Olivia, as well as a link to my advance review. KRISTIANA: Snowdrop: A … Continue reading An interview with Olivia Snowdrop
When I read a poetry collection I always look for honesty. I search for the raw and brutal truth which comes with being beautifully human and complex. Only a few ever meet this expectation for me. Too often, poets try to be clever and value style over substance. Too often, contemporary poetry collections focus on … Continue reading Advanced review of Snowdrop: A Collection by Olivia Snowdrop
Jillian Richardson's The Virtue of Doubt is fresh and different yet harnesses poetry and playwriting with the skill of the old greats. Richardson's words on love and family were Shakespearean in their poeticism and rhythm. Whilst Avaricia's words put me in mind of Euripides' Medea and Beloved recalled Sophocles' Antigone. Richardson's storytelling is stunning. A … Continue reading Review of The Virtue of Doubt, Jillian Richardson
The Language of Ghosts is Lauren Poole's tremendous debut, raising the bar for 21st century poetry. Divided into three parts, 'preterite tense', 'imperfect tense' and 'present tense', Poole's deliberate and purposeful structure reminds the reader healing is not linear and nor is trauma. Similar to A. B. Cofer's Not Enough, Just Enough and Kait Quinn's … Continue reading Review of The Language of Ghosts, Lauren Poole
"i am stretched out supine across the surface of the earth. / i am the forgiveness that followed the flood. / i am the authenticity of the snowflake. / i am the god in the river you were baptized in. / i am the strike of lightning | surging through water | / making proud … Continue reading Review of catharsis, Solomon Elijah
What struck me about Reynold’s first collection, How Best to Stage a Breakdown, was how viscerally and honestly she wrote about mental health. Mislilac builds upon this sturdy foundation and flourishes. Reynolds’ style has matured further and her voice is exceptional and unique. There is something so very honest in Mislilac even though most of … Continue reading Review of Mislilac (Thinker), H. M. Reynolds
This week on My Screaming Twenties celebrates the release of Devika Mathur's collection of poetry and prose, Crimson Skins. Devika Mathur is loved and known for her celebration of the abstract and surreal; she plays with words like toys and bites into them like ripe fruit. Everything Mathur yields is original and unique. Even when … Continue reading Advance Review of Crimson Skins, Devika Mathur
