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pshepp's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
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
ratgrrrl's review against another edition
5.0
Phenomenal. Kae Tempest is the Queer confluence of classics, poetry, and hip hop.
Proper review eventually
Proper review eventually
eemahlee's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
devontrevarrowflaherty's review against another edition
5.0
I read/listened to this poem/book as part of a list of poems in The Times. Here is my brief review of the poem:
Kae/Kate (they/them) Tempest is meant to be heard. They is a renowned spoken word poet, so I would recommend you listen to Brand New Ancients, which runs at over an hour and is a story as much as a poem. I listened to it as I read it, occasionally making notes because it was interesting to see how Tempest had changed things, sometimes in fairly big ways, sometimes an important word, sometimes possibly just a quick change in the reading. I admit to being swept away. I have a thing for innovative art of any form, and perhaps there are many other spoken word story poems like this, but it was both new to me and extremely well done. I suppose I didn’t agree with all of the assertions of the poem (about us being gods and being one, though I think it was meant more metaphorical and literarily) and I also suppose the whole thing was a little gritty for my usual taste, but overall it was breathtaking and beautiful. If you have any sort of love for poetry (which I imagine you do, reading this post), you need to listen to this (at just under an hour and a half). If you read it while you listen, it counts as reading for sure, but this piece is definitely not just writing; it is performance art. I could find some small faults, but it was great as a story, as a poem, and as a performance, and it went beyond a regular old story, looping in all this great allusion and imagery. (See Brand New Ancients (paperback and audiobook))
***REVIEW WRITTEN FOR THE STARVING ARTIST BLOG***
Kae/Kate (they/them) Tempest is meant to be heard. They is a renowned spoken word poet, so I would recommend you listen to Brand New Ancients, which runs at over an hour and is a story as much as a poem. I listened to it as I read it, occasionally making notes because it was interesting to see how Tempest had changed things, sometimes in fairly big ways, sometimes an important word, sometimes possibly just a quick change in the reading. I admit to being swept away. I have a thing for innovative art of any form, and perhaps there are many other spoken word story poems like this, but it was both new to me and extremely well done. I suppose I didn’t agree with all of the assertions of the poem (about us being gods and being one, though I think it was meant more metaphorical and literarily) and I also suppose the whole thing was a little gritty for my usual taste, but overall it was breathtaking and beautiful. If you have any sort of love for poetry (which I imagine you do, reading this post), you need to listen to this (at just under an hour and a half). If you read it while you listen, it counts as reading for sure, but this piece is definitely not just writing; it is performance art. I could find some small faults, but it was great as a story, as a poem, and as a performance, and it went beyond a regular old story, looping in all this great allusion and imagery. (See Brand New Ancients (paperback and audiobook))
***REVIEW WRITTEN FOR THE STARVING ARTIST BLOG***
oversherin's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
3.5
I appreciate the bold format of a longform poem. I read it in one sitting and enjoyed the distinctly british voice. I read parts of it aloud to myself. I didn't really connect with the plot and some of the lines felt a little clunky. Overall, I think this style is just not for me but I appreciate the vision of the piece.