All of Us Strangers by Andrew Haigh

As a part of the LGBT community, I automatically felt attracted by the last movie, All Of Us Strangers, by Andrew Haigh, which came out at the end of 2023. The synopsis sounded quite interesting, and the cast was well-chosen and slightly hot, to be honest. 

A friend described this movie, which was basically for him, as a gay romance between two neighbours, Harry and Adam, the last having visions of his parents dead in a car crash when he was twelve. Thus, here are my thoughts and responses to this movie.

I felt overwhelmed by the sensitivity of the actions; the sensual link between each character is powerful. 

The movie is a cinematic and photographic masterpiece; the conceptions of every plan are well executed, offering the public an amazing immersion in this dramatic romance where the challenging of stereotypes is used as an asset and not a weapon. Andrew Haigh realised an incredible movie based on love where characters are deeply and genuinely in love without having to clearly say it. The sensitive and sweet gestures of the actors build this intimacy; Harry and Adam unconsciously represent the love stone of one another. 

From my point of view, it is a brilliant insight into gay love and loneliness but also heavy loss, supported by a breathless motion picture, transitions and an absolutely amazing playlist which took my whole body into their world in no time. 

Through his realisation, Haigh is giving us a proper roller coaster full of emotions, waltzing on the line between reality and dreams, taming every demon that we can have inside us as humans and, more specifically as homosexuals, growing into a world that does not always make us feel welcomed. The powerful compassion of its main character will drive us from craziness to happiness on a boat taking the direction of the stars. 

By Bixente Saunier

A Good Girls Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

(Trigger Warnings for this book, Drug use, Rape, Pet death, Kidnapping, Death and Murder)

A Good Girls Guide to Murder is a gripping mystery thriller about a closed case in the small town of Little Kilton. However, our main character Pippa Fitz-Amobi doesn’t think the police got it right. Schoolgirl Andie Bell is a missing person, presumed dead and they believe her boyfriend Sal Singh murdered her and hid the body. Only we don’t get to know any more than this because he was found dead in the woods just days after Andie’s disappearance. That’s where the case was left until Pip decided to start re-investigating.

I of course don’t want to give away all the shocking twists and turns that this book has because it would be a huge spoiler but believe me when I say you won’t be bored reading this book. Every chapter had me completely hooked and I was dying to know what was going to happen next. Everything Pip thought she knew about this case, in the end, completely flips.

 In this book, Pippa conducts interviews with people she deems are important or of interest. One of these people is Sal Singhs’ younger brother Ravi. Not long after Pip talks to him Ravi decides that he wants to help Pip catch Andie’s real killer because not for one minute did, he ever think his brother was guilty. I like that we had a direct link to the case through Sal’s brother as it makes it even more important that the killer is found.

I really liked how Holly Jackson introduced us to so many varying characters and almost all of them had some hidden secret that they really didn’t want Pip to know. The way Jackson portrays Pip is important because we see her get completely swept up in this case and lose all sense of anything that isn’t it. She even puts herself in great danger and that shows the case isn’t something she can just solve from the sidelines she has to fully throw herself into it.

There is a mixed Media format within this book which is interesting if you’re physically reading or listening to the Audiobook, which is how I consumed this story. There are emails, documents, audio recordings shown visually on the page and a few images are shown throughout. I think these all really help the story come to life and I really love that Holly Jackson chose to do this. Another element that appealed to me directly is that although the town of Little Kilton was fictional the surrounding area was not. All other locations mentioned in the book are in the county of Buckinghamshire which is where I am from. For me that added a level of believability to the story because these were places, I knew and had been to.

A Good Girls Guide to Murder is the first book in a trilogy and there is also a prequel novella. You’ll be relieved to know that the case of Andie Bell and Sal Singh does get solved in this book and the other books follow different cases and other things. If you couldn’t tell I really enjoyed this book and I think it might be one of my favorites of the year so I hope this inspires someone to read it!!

By Leah Drewett, 2023

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes film review.

The Ballard of Songbirds and Snakes is a cinematic masterpiece. As dramatic as that may sound to describe a prequel, (the original books that were released a decade ago) the latest being The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes that was released in 2020 in the peak of lockdown; Suzanne Collins has out done herself yet again.  

The Ballard of Songbirds and Snakes is set during the 10^th annual Hunger Games and follows a young Coriolanus Snow, played by the remarkable Tom Blyth with the brilliant Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird, (the tribute from District 12). The film tells the story of eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow, who is ambitious and determined to land on top and restore his family’s name. During this Hunger Games, he is given the assignment of mentoring Lucy Gray Baird, she sparks attention from the capital when she sings at her reaping; sparking the attention from Snow as well. Coriolanus Snow must do everything he can to help Lucy Gray Baird win as “ambition will fuel him. Competition will drive him. But power has its price,” Snow will do whatever it takes to win the Plinth prize which will aid him in helping his family and being able to attend university so that the path to presidency will be awaiting him. Lucy Gray becomes a part of his journey and highlights how Snow questions his desire for power. His moral decisions will cost him now more than ever. The talented Rachel Zegler suggests that she feels her character Lucy Gray, “is a performer forced to fight, and Katniss is a fighter forced to perform.” Zegler brings a sense of intrigue and really encapsulates the character of Lucy Gray through her acting and singing. 

Suzanne Collins wanted to portray, “the state of nature, who we are and what we perceive is required for our survival”.  She cleverly depicts the complex characters and makes us emotionally attached to them and their arcs. Francis Laurence returns to direct the prequel presenting the viciousness and savageness of the Hunger Games, whilst serving pristine cinematography and a spectacular atmosphere.  Audiences will be gripped to their seats; you don’t want to miss out on seeing this on the big screen.  

Laurence encapsulates the aura of the original films, creating a nostalgic touch through the soundtrack and some familiar parallels; that fans of both the books and films will appreciate and adore.  The Ballard of Songbirds and Snakes is said to be the “best book to film adaptation”. I can confirm that out of all the new films that have been recently released, this was the most gripping and enthralling. Like most of the fans of the film, I had read the book even before it was announced it would be added to the huge franchise. Yet audiences do not need to worry, because even fans who know the books front to cover will still be left speechless, shocked and stunned at this emotional picture. I, along with many audiences look forward to watching it again and seeing what Suzanne Collins does next, because we all know it’s not over until the Mockingjay sings.   

By Lyndsey Almeda, 2023

Poetry Birmingham co-founders Suna Afshan, and Naush Sabah talk: Review and Thoughts

The exciting thing about writing is that you may be allowed to speak with a wide range of people on a deep, human-connection level, without ever having to meet them in person. Not that that is the goal, but it’s such a powerful form to get across so much meaning in a few sentences, a single line, or lyric, it’s an incredible power, and these two women Suna, and Naush achieved it themselves without having to give up authenticity. Getting your work “out there” is a daunting task for most of us aspiring writers. When is the right time to publish? Where do we go to get seen or published? What form is right for our work? Can we do readings, or is what we’re writing too convoluted to get across in spoken word? These are questions I like I’m sure many of my fellow students, have asked myself many times. 

Listening to these women speak about their struggles and achievements was extremely exciting and gave me some of the valuable currency of hope in this dark time. I found what they said instructive and inspiring for our future writing scene. Writing is about connection, it’s about breaking down barriers and getting into other people’s heads, seeing things differently, and hopefully becoming better people in the process. Poetry is one of the most under-appreciated forms, but in a world that is so quick to monetise everything, how do we get our work out there if we aren’t writing things that appeal to the mainstream? I’d argue that Poetry Birmingham and other literary journals are the way, or at least, one of them. 

With editors who are also writers that have experienced all the shit of submitting, being rejected, talking to publishers, having to compromise and put out their ‘mainstream’ works rather than their ‘best’ or most polished works, I’d feel much more comfortable submitting my own piece. Even if it is fractured and maybe even just downright weird stuff you’re writing, sometimes experimental work becomes less stressful and more about growth and progression especially when you’re having it edited by writers who are like you. I think one of the scariest things about submitting work is the idea that the person on the receiving end probably will be: white, old, male, and staring at a MacBook screen in some nice part of the country sipping brandy and deciding your fate as a writer. It’s hard to see a world in which this is not the case at least 70% of the time because sadly the literary world is dominated by people who fit that crude description, and more than likely have their own bias about what is deemed print-worthy. This is the part where we emancipate ourselves. 

Finding like-minded writers and forming collectives of thinkers, people who aren’t afraid to stand up for each other, or lift each other when need be, is (I opine) vital. This is the lifeblood of any community of artists. If we can’t be accepted by the ‘masses’ then why not find our own group and create a conversation about it through journals. If the work is good it will speak for itself and others will catch on and eventually follow, or hopefully, just respect what you create as an artist. Suna and Naush opened the door to a world outside of London that is there and waiting for more to join. Their poems were visceral, descriptive but not forcefully so, and even loving at times. I can’t wait to read more and hope one day to join them in the line of writers working to keep a movement so tender afloat. 

by Shane Chase, 9 October 2020

Naush and Suna’s Talk – Tips and Tricks

Rejection and coping with it well, is one of the great tips and tools needed for a writer. Naush and Suna reminded us in their talk that it is important to “welcome rejection.” It may seem like an obvious tip, but as writers, we often get invested in our work, and forget the simplest of things. Rejection is a piece of the experience and not the final picture. It makes us better writers as it pushes us to explore deeper, and mend the roots of our writing. 

Time is also significant. Managing your schedule gives you the skillset that you will need to acquire as a full time writer in the future. “Carving out time” for yourself as a writer works hand in hand with your writing mood, which is beneficial to pay attention to. What inspires you to write? Writers need to be able to take the time to notice the different dimensions of themselves. How am I reflected in my writing? As writers grow, so do their characters.

Submission windows are the classic example of motivation for a writer. It’s a great motivation factor because a writer is working towards something consistently. Working on good writing is about consistency. In addition to that, having deadlines are a great preparation technique for those less flexible days. It’s a way for a writer to combat any writing fears they may have as those deadlines may push them to complete their pieces. Self discipline is at a strong point when you feel good under pressure. You feel confident enough to meet the deadline in your own time, on time. 

Find a community that will take your work seriously is one of the best pieces of advice these ladies offered us. It is vital to seek that collective of people who are genuine in responding to your work. Critical feedback is essential in progressing your writing. It is what gives the writer more fuel to win their own race. The feedback that may be the hardest to take in, might be the most helpful advice given to accelerate a writer’s narrative. Being critical can be incredibly fruitful for making a writer see beyond what they think they can achieve. The possibilities grow when you take the true words of honest critics seriously.

Developing your craft comes from what gets one excited and intrigued as a writer. Passion is a key ingredient in enjoying the experience of writing. Writing about something that keeps your eyes wide open will make you want to build a better engine your story can work from. Reading equally stems from passion. They spoke of how reading poetry magazines can give you a taste of contemporary poetry. That kind of reading also keeps a writer up to date on the kind of writing circulating our world today. A writer doesn’t have to change themselves to fit the writing trend, but they should try to understand the writing culture they are surrounded by. General reading is a necessity. Books bring the writer to life, and give them new words to extract. This an empowering contribution for self development in writing. To create “better readers” and produce more “informed writers.”

The “bubble of motherhood” is an interesting one to talk about. They spoke about how being a mother can be very time consuming on the schedule. This justifies further why a strong writing community is useful. It gives writers a place to gather and share similar problems, which eventually leads to finding solutions. Assuring yourself that you are not alone matters, particularly during the Covid era that currently worries us all.

Written by Nisha Patel

Edited by Gabrielė Platūkis

All The Bright Places – Jennifer Niven

“The story of a girl who learns to live from a boy who wants to die”.

When I began reading this book, Finch didn’t seem at all likeable; he appeared unfriendly and a little self-centred but as I continued reading, I understood why he was the way he was. It is clear Finch suffered from depression and other mental health issues and Niven had captured this in her writing. She manages to make him more than just a depressed teen; he was charming and witty as well as lonely and hurt. My thoughts towards Violet was gradual to begin with as she was less captivating and less distinct but I sympathised with her heartache over losing her sister.

Mental health disorders and suicide are viewed as taboo subjects but Niven tackles the social stigma behind mental illnesses and uses both Finch and Violet to do so. The journey the two protagonists endure allows the reader to try and understand the thoughts and feelings a person with depression/bipolar may go through: “we are all trapped in these bodies and our minds and whatever company we have in this life is only fleeting and superficial” (Finch). How most of the time you can be at war with the world and it can take time to feel at ease but having light moments showcased there really are brighter places: “we do not remember days, we remember moments” (Finch).

For someone who has suffered from anxiety and panic attacks in the past, I found this book to be rather relatable as it has helped me understand there are ways to overcome the battles you are faced with and the feelings you undergo. It also made me realise that there is someone, somewhere who could be going through much worse than what we are going through ourselves. Niven portrays mental health in an honest and realistic way and she doesn’t sugar coat the realities that a person with a mental health disorder can experience which is one of the many reasons I loved reading this book.

One of the topics Niven could’ve written in a more positive way would be the different support systems available to those going through tough times. The methods Finch uses to overcome his suicidal thoughts are ineffective – but sometimes that is not the case. Therapy and medication are portrayed in a negative light and the only time where medication is mentioned is when Finch attends a suicide support group where he sees “the dull, vacant look of people on drugs”- there is no real indication of the benefits antidepressants can have. Personally, this was the only element of the book that I didn’t really enjoy.

Niven also includes a snippet of her personal journey, with mental health and suicide, at the end “I lost my friend to suicide just before I lost my father to cancer… “It’s only when writing this book that I learned my own label – Survivor after Suicide or Survivor of Suicide” (Niven).  She also added in the various support helplines and advice on how someone can beat their demons “If you think something is wrong, speak up, you are not alone, it is not your fault and help is out there”. Ultimately, this gave me a little reassurance as she had the experience to aid her readers.

Overall, this book is a wonderful read as not only does it make one’s heart literally ache, but it raises awareness of mental illness and the importance of finding a solution to the illness. Filled with raw emotion, sincerity and dark moments. I can for sure tell you, once you have finished reading this book, it will forever remain in your mind and you won’t be able to stop thinking about it.

by Samya Ahmed, 15 February 2019

 

 

Conversations with Friends: Book Review

 Conversations with Friends, the 2017 debut novel of 27 years old Irish author Sally Rooney, is a book that evades designations. Is it a coming of age story? A love story? A story about friendship? It’s hard to say, like it’s hard to pinpoint the reasons why this novel works, even from a writing standpoint. Creative writing students will be surprised to realize that the novel that has been labelled as a “sensation” goes against almost every rule and commonplace of good writing. The writing style is simple almost to a flat level. The tagging of the dialogue is constant and unvaried, with a repetitiveness of “he said”/ “she said” that might drive the reader to beg for a variation. The prose lacks richness or embellishments. And yet, or maybe exactly because of that, it is an oddly magnetic read that makes putting the book down almost impossible.

Rooney’s novel follows Frances, a 21 years old Irish student at Trinity University who also performs spoken poetry with her best friend and ex-girlfriend Bobbi. After meeting older, wealthier, sophisticated couple Melissa and Nick, Frances develop an attraction for the husband, and through this encounter she starts examining her life, her relationships, and herself.

The characters in the book aren’t particularly likable. They can come off as pretentious, hypocritical, and just plain annoying. That isn’t necessarily a fault, though. If anything, it is an accomplishment on Rooney’s part that she manages to make the reader so invested in a set of such obnoxious characters, which maybe remain so impressed in the reader’s mind due to the almost muted complexity Rooney imbues each of them with, all done with a subtlety that demands praise for how realistic it feels. If there is one element that truly stands out, it is exactly the realism. Even as distant as some situations the characters experience might be—how many people casually spend a week in a villa in France?—the way Rooney describes the characters’ interactions and thoughts comes off not only as realistic, but as extremely relatable too. Any university student reading this novel is going to widen their eyes and maybe laugh a little reading Frances’ thoughts and feelings as she is busy writing essays for a deadline. Personally, as I read about Frances locking herself in the library, carefully selecting abstruse words that sound ‘academic’ and basking in the joy that something as simple as a soda can give after being done with the essay, I found myself thinking: “This is me”.

The book is not without its flaws, though. The first person narrative voice keeps you tightly close to Frances’ character, and her constant judgement and over-analysis of everything and everyone around her can become suffocating and make you wish you could experience the other characters free from the constraints of Frances’ point of view, Bobbi in particular. Additionally, the treatment of Bobbi and Frances’ sexualities, gay and bisexual, feels respectively stereotypical and underdeveloped, like an afterthought written in just in the attempt of adding more complexity to the characters.

The impression while reading the novel and following Frances’ swirling thoughts is that of a modern stream of consciousness, a translation on page of the complexity of a person’s mind and emotions, so it was hardly a surprise to discover that Rooney is an outspoken fan of James Joyce. The influence of the author’s style is clear in Rooney’s prose, but she adapts it and re-invents it, making it both contemporary and personal.

Conversation with Friends may not be for everyone. After the hype surrounding this novel, you may find yourself frustrated or let down, and never in my life I’ve been more confused trying to figure out whether I’ve loved or hated a book before, but exactly because of its polarizing power, it is a book that demands at least one attempt. And for anyone interested in literature and writing it is, without a doubt, a must-read.

Review by Vittoria Benedetti

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

I first heard of milk and honey written by Rupi Kaur whilst browsing through my social media one afternoon; Twitter and Instagram had become infatuated with this collection of poems so I decided to embrace my poetic side and read it myself.

My initial thoughts before reading the book were that it might have been like other poetry books I’ve read previously- tacky and dreary, but I was wrong. I was mesmerised by Kaur’s words, she manages to capture vulnerability, raw emotion, bluntness and the stories told within her poems are pure and honest.

The book is split into four sections; the hurting, the loving, the breaking and the healing. hurting represents the author’s experiences with sexual assault and the battle of overcoming family issues. There is more than a physical pain in this chapter, it falls deep into the heart of the victim and destroys their innocence, “trying to convince myself I am allowed to take up space is like writing with my left hand when I was born to use my right”. I found this chapter quite difficult to read, but once I did, I understood how brave Kaur was to tackle matters that many writers may avoid as it would be too vulgar or too personal to talk about, especially in society today.

The loving brings us into an uplifting atmosphere, as the poems are appealing and encouraging. This section explores the love between couples to remind them of why they are still together. Regardless of the change in subject, Kaur keeps these poems short and simple and maintains the essence of her voice.

The breaking, which is comparable to the hurting, portrays the discomfort and hardship an individual can encounter during a relationship or friendship. In this section, Kaur speaks to a younger audience, she addresses those that have been abandoned and broken for the first time. The pain she describes is told with passion and honesty, the only way pain should be expressed. This chapter goes hand in hand with the healing as it tells the journey from heartbreak to contentment, “if hurt comes, so will the happiness – be patient”.

The final section, the healing, explores the meaning of independence and identity. These poems help empower women to value who they are regardless of the damage and chaos they have experienced. Kaur encourages readers to discover the beauty within themselves and not to rely on other people for authentication, “you must enter a relationship with yourself before anyone else”. She tells one to love the soul within them and that self-love and self-care are amongst the most important qualities we must attain to live and to build relationships. This section is my favourite element of the book as Kaur’s words have encouraged me first and foremost to continue writing, to love and trust myself, motivated me to overcome my fears and showed me there is more to a woman than her outer beauty once you begin to pull back her many layers.

Whether or not you are female and whether or not you can relate to every poem written in this book, I think it is a crucial read as it is a beautiful compilation of poems that serve as a reminder to appreciate your flaws and to embrace emotion and vulnerability. It is timeless.

Book review by Samya Ahmed