4.0 out of 5 stars
The Monkey has landed!, 22 Nov 2005
This review is from: Now, That's What I Call Monkey Kettle: 1999-2004 v. 1 (Paperback)
Independent poetry 'zine Monkey Kettle describes itself as "a Milton Keynes counter-culture waiting for a culture". This compilation of "greatest hits" from the first five years in the publication's life is an eclectic mix of the sublime and the ridiculous, drawn from a diverse array of poetic talent from across the city and, more recently, around the world.
Outsiders will primarily know Milton Keynes for concrete cows and roundabouts, and there are certainly a few poems in this collection which reflect this slightly unusual and avant-garde image. It's less well known that this most modern of English cities draws its population from a diverse cultural heritage, where you're as likely to hear Scouse or Glaswegian spoken on the streets as you are Estuary English, and where thriving Eastern European and Asian communities add to the multi-cultural flavour. This mix is well reflected in the poetry of Monkey Kettle. The emphasis is heavily on the sort of subcultures that will be familiar to today's 20-and 30-somethings, so those expecting pastoral poetry or Shakespearian sonnets may be disappointed. This is leftfield poetry, to be sure. But there's a streak of nostalgia and almost of romanticism in the material collected here, which means that there really is something for everyone.
In many quarters, poetry is still seen as something a bit snobby or elitist. Monkey Kettle is a defiant rebuttal of this stereotype. The poets featured here are students, social workers, cleaners, childcare workers - a real cross section of today's society - and it's to the credit of Monkey Kettle that it has been so successful at tapping into these artistic, poetic voices and giving them an audience. This "Best Of..." is a chance for these talents to be showcased far beyond the bounds of the V and H roads of their hometown, and a defiant tongue poked out at the cultural establishment. Get it while you can!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful wide mix of poetry and prose - recommended!, 5 Oct 2005
This review is from: Now, That's What I Call Monkey Kettle: 1999-2004 v. 1 (Paperback)
I have read many of the Monkey Kettle magazines that have generated the content for this first book, and have never failed to be excited and surprised by the great talents who contribute. Thoroughly recommend anyone to take a look!
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