I was unable to finish this book of poetry by Raymond Antrobus easily or quickly. While I enjoyed what I read of All the Names Given: Poems the poetry felt repeated and best suited for a novel and not poems. This bogged me down, making me have to stop and analyze what was read. It was not something that could be consumed in one reading.
Antrobus speaks on the page, as if he is having a conversation with you. Which is an interesting concept as Antrobus is deaf. This comes into play as there are parts that are done to give a little extra in this respect. I am not sure how it will pan out in the final version, but in the reader copy, it felt unfinished.
I think that is partly why I was not enjoying this book as much as The Perseverance. To me, this book was a bit too sophisticated for my particular reading style. Yet, the language is descriptive and can be understood by even someone who might not be a strong poetry reader. I highlighted several lines and noted certain poems. While not everything was clearly understandable at first read, nothing is really hidden.
The poems themselves focus on himself and his family. The family ranges from ancestors to his contemporary family. His parents, cousins and siblings play a part in his work, as does old lovers, people who he wanted to be, and much more. However, much of these subjects were better handled in The Perseverance.
I recommend Antrobus as a poet, but this might not be the best book to start with if you are going to read Antrobus’ poetry.
Unless something happens in the next few weeks, this looks like my last review. And it is fitting as I started the year with a Raymond Antrobus poetry book and now I end with one as well.