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soleil_soleil's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
First of all, this poem-book needs a few trigger warnings. Sexual abuse? Beating? Fighting? Drinking? I mean ok I get that it’s relevant to real life and all that but, um, might as well let us know because my eyes were SO wide on that train while listening to Kae Tempest reading their poem aloud. Well written, and I like how parallels are drawn between gods and humans, and people from different standings of life, and with the audio experience and the way the author wants their poem to sound, I have to admit that it’s pretty cool. Curious that some words, phrases and sentences were changed in the audio vs in the actual printed text! (But I guess it’s an old version of the poem, since it has Kae’s deadname on it.) Interesting and thought provoking read for ENGL100!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Grief
aqtbenz's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Infidelity, Violence, and Domestic abuse
scruffie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Alcohol, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Drug abuse
stanro's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Brand New Ancients by Kae Tempest is a new epic poem, winning a prestigious award in 2013. Its content is grounded in rough working class England.
It speaks to the courage and dignity and weakness and cowardice of its various characters. With great compassion.
This is performance poetry. This is rap. It is poetry to be read to a musical accompaniment, so I strongly suggest that you read it on audio (or listen, if my use of “read” puts you off). At about 80 minutes I read it in one sitting and am going to read it again very soon. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Footnote - Kate Tempest announced in 2020 that they wished to be known as Kae, hence the apparent typo on the cover of their 2013 publication.
It speaks to the courage and dignity and weakness and cowardice of its various characters. With great compassion.
This is performance poetry. This is rap. It is poetry to be read to a musical accompaniment, so I strongly suggest that you read it on audio (or listen, if my use of “read” puts you off). At about 80 minutes I read it in one sitting and am going to read it again very soon. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Footnote - Kate Tempest announced in 2020 that they wished to be known as Kae, hence the apparent typo on the cover of their 2013 publication.
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
marisa_n's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
I have never read anything quite like this before. I'm glad I experienced it as an audiobook, as it felt like I was listening to a spoken word performance or a play. The writing was lovely to listen to. I also appreciated the brevity of the book, which aligned with the references to myths. The author covered so much in a short timeframe, which mostly worked. That said, there were a lot of characters thrown out in a short timeframe, which made it hard to remember who was who.
I liked the main message (that I got out of) this book: that our stories today are no less interesting, emotional, or powerful than those told in mythology. That the people of today will one day be the new ancients.
I liked the main message (that I got out of) this book: that our stories today are no less interesting, emotional, or powerful than those told in mythology. That the people of today will one day be the new ancients.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Infidelity, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Gore
yolanda_h's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
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