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
This week on My Screaming Twenties celebrates the recent release of Kindra M. Austin's newest novel, The Black Naught. The Black Naught by Kindra M. Austin is a marriage of Austin's strongest skill sets. Her storytelling is as poetic as it is sinister. Her pace is flawless. Her desire to explore human nature … Continue reading Review of The Black Naught, Kindra M. Austin
Quiet Screams to the Quiet Healer by Nilanjana Haldar is a coming of age tale which explores a childhood shaped by violence and regret, friendships and the quiet power of seeking kindness and healing in the face of great adversity. Beginning with Sanjana and Kriti’s childhood friendship, Haldar introduces a female protagonist who possesses the … Continue reading Review of Quiet Screams to the Quiet Healer, Nilanjana Haldar
The House With The Stained-Glass Window by Żanna Słoniowska and translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones is undeniably a phenomenal piece of literary fiction. Słoniowska’s narrative focuses on a nameless protagonist and her experience growing up in Lviv, Ukraine throughout war and civil unrest. The protagonist’s story line is not linear - we learn more as she … Continue reading Review of The House With The Stained-Glass Window, Zanna Sloniowska
Reading This Brutal House in June 2020 was incredibly timely. Govinden engrosses us in the world of Vogue balls and the African American and Latin American queer community which made them what they are. The narrative focuses on the House Mothers and their desire for justice as the young people they refer to as the … Continue reading Review of This Brutal House, Niven Govinden
Originally published on Reedsy Discovery. The Rocky Orchard is Monier’s fourth novel and a testament to her experience and craft. Monier captures Mazie, the novel’s protagonist, exceptionally. From four years old to her late twenties, Mazie’s characterisation is realistic and charts her growth as a young woman; whilst still reminding us all of the traits … Continue reading Review of The Rocky Orchard, Barbara Monier
How Best to Stage a Breakdown is H. M. Reynolds’ first chapbook release; made up of only nineteen poems, the collection is a succinct treatment of struggling with mental illness and the feelings of panic, grief and loss which often accompany a breakdown. Reynolds does not trivialise experiencing any of the above. The eponymously titled … Continue reading Review of How Best to Stage a Breakdown, H.M. Reynolds
Originally published on Reedsy Discovery. Written during the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Epiphaneia is a collection which explores life, loss, grief and community. From the very beginning, Georges speaks with maturity, experience and wisdom; immediately placing Epiphaneia above several, current poetry releases as its poetic calibre ensures it deserves a space on everyone’s bookshelf. At … Continue reading Review of Epiphaneia, Richard Georges
A Time for Winter is a journey from hurt through to healing told with the seasons. I have always admired Quinn’s manipulation of the natural world in her poetry and her debut collection is a superb example of this. Throughout the collection, Quinn focuses on the physical and visceral to convey pervasive emptiness, loneliness and … Continue reading Review of A Time for Winter, Kait Quinn
I walk through the woods and imagine it full of books: novels returning home, pages between roots, words manifesting within fleshy, breathing bark, dappled light adorning every dust jacket with sun spots as leaves curl around well-thumbed spines, earth settling into bookmark ribbons and wrinkled, ink worn skins. Poem: © Kristiana … Continue reading Home
