Genre: Poetry, Autobiography
This collection has everything you want - intrigue, drama and nostalgia fill it's pages. Not only are we treated to some insightful and powerful poetry, but we are taken on an emotional journey alongside the poet.
What is unique about this collection is that each poem is created from another pre-existing poem from other well known poets, including; Simon Armitage, Carol Ann Duffy, Jackie Kay, Andrew Motion, Seamus Heaney - to name just a few of such an incredible line-up of poets and their works included in this book.
Not only is this collection of verse autobiographical in nature it is also a compendium of poetry from other contemporary poets, which makes it act like an anthology of poetry also - thus, it has a dual purpose of which I thank Inua kindly for sharing.
When thinking about the construction of this volume it is interesting to note how hard the admin must have been for this - to obtain permissions from each of the poets for their poems that are included in this collection. It must have been quite the undertaking.
In a rare insight the poems included within this collection are supplemented by diary entries from Inua. We were treated to view the poets thought processes when construction each piece and the collection as a whole - adding context to such personal stories.
There is some really stoic and personal poetry within this collection - which shows Inua's story from Nigeria, to Ireland and finally to England. It's a journey of not only destinations but also by emotions. All the time however not detracting from the original pieces - each piece holds resonance and form.
It's a credit to the way Inua approached and researched each piece that although he's telling his story - as the reader you can clearly see the rationale for the choice of each piece.
My reasoning for awarding this book four stars is because this collection is quite complex and I had to pop it down a couple of times to digest but also to flip between pages so I could see the relationship and connection with the original poem.
I would highly recommend this collection - it's a great and powerful read, that only looks to inspire creativity. Go and grab yourself a copy - you won't be disappointed.
This collection has everything you want - intrigue, drama and nostalgia fill it's pages. Not only are we treated to some insightful and powerful poetry, but we are taken on an emotional journey alongside the poet.
What is unique about this collection is that each poem is created from another pre-existing poem from other well known poets, including; Simon Armitage, Carol Ann Duffy, Jackie Kay, Andrew Motion, Seamus Heaney - to name just a few of such an incredible line-up of poets and their works included in this book.
Not only is this collection of verse autobiographical in nature it is also a compendium of poetry from other contemporary poets, which makes it act like an anthology of poetry also - thus, it has a dual purpose of which I thank Inua kindly for sharing.
When thinking about the construction of this volume it is interesting to note how hard the admin must have been for this - to obtain permissions from each of the poets for their poems that are included in this collection. It must have been quite the undertaking.
In a rare insight the poems included within this collection are supplemented by diary entries from Inua. We were treated to view the poets thought processes when construction each piece and the collection as a whole - adding context to such personal stories.
There is some really stoic and personal poetry within this collection - which shows Inua's story from Nigeria, to Ireland and finally to England. It's a journey of not only destinations but also by emotions. All the time however not detracting from the original pieces - each piece holds resonance and form.
It's a credit to the way Inua approached and researched each piece that although he's telling his story - as the reader you can clearly see the rationale for the choice of each piece.
My reasoning for awarding this book four stars is because this collection is quite complex and I had to pop it down a couple of times to digest but also to flip between pages so I could see the relationship and connection with the original poem.
I would highly recommend this collection - it's a great and powerful read, that only looks to inspire creativity. Go and grab yourself a copy - you won't be disappointed.
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