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mfletcher's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
The Anti-Austerity anthology lives up to its title. It is, quite clearly and comprehensively, an anthology of poems, short stories and essays against the effects of government cost-saving measures collectively known as 'austerity' from a mostly British perspective. As a result, the anthology attempts to illustrate the manifestations of poverty, disability and class differences in British society, often focusing on the central issue of government benefits.
While this is an important and fascinating theme, the actual pieces were an unfortunately mixed bag. Some of the pieces in this collection paled in comparison to others, going at the topic far too explicitly and without nuance. At times, the story was dictated by the theme rather than the story illustrating the theme (show don't tell!). However, some standouts for me were Rebecca Gransden, Rupert Dreyfus, and Ford Dagenham.
Overall, I would recommend checking this anthology out if you are interested in the theme and in discovering some new authors. Additionally, the proceeds for this book go to charity.
While this is an important and fascinating theme, the actual pieces were an unfortunately mixed bag. Some of the pieces in this collection paled in comparison to others, going at the topic far too explicitly and without nuance. At times, the story was dictated by the theme rather than the story illustrating the theme (show don't tell!). However, some standouts for me were Rebecca Gransden, Rupert Dreyfus, and Ford Dagenham.
Overall, I would recommend checking this anthology out if you are interested in the theme and in discovering some new authors. Additionally, the proceeds for this book go to charity.
tracy2_0's review against another edition
5.0
These authors are speaking truths and donating the profits of the sales of this book to food banks. Who does that? I highly recommend this book!! Great stuff!!
kingjason's review
5.0
It has finally arrived, a collection of poetry, essays and short stories by the greatest Indie authors around. So many of these writers are in my favourite authors list and to see them all together in one book is fantastic. The subject matter is about the dire situation in the UK with the treatment of the poor, disabled and homeless, more and more people are crossing over that line of being able to survive, or being forced to work when they are unable to. It is also about our "no shits given" government and how their rules and sanctions are designed to destroy lives. Unless you are a rich/tory twat then the contents of this book will be guaranteed to make you spiral into a depression or maybe make you go around randomly punching things.
Bradford Middleton kicks things off with a couple of very good poems before Riya Anne Polcastro blows you away with a cracking story, she is so talented to get a reader so emotionally involved is so few pages and to leave the reader seeing red at the injustice of it all. Mike Robbins gives us a fantastic essay on the state of things in the UK, why this guy isn't doing Ted talks is beyond me, his way of getting facts across makes it so easy to read. M. J. Black gives the reader some more poetry, it has been so long since I've seen any work by him, great to see him in print again. My favourite short story has to be the one by Rupert Dreyfus, he has such a cocky swagger to his writing and he always puts little links to his other work and it is great when you spot one. There are no weaknesses in this book, and Jay Spencer Green does a great job with some funny job adverts splitting up the short stories.
All money made from this book is being donated to food bank charities so please go and buy yourself a copy.
Blog review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2019/01/05/the-anti-austerity-anthology-by-the-anti-austerity-collective/
Bradford Middleton kicks things off with a couple of very good poems before Riya Anne Polcastro blows you away with a cracking story, she is so talented to get a reader so emotionally involved is so few pages and to leave the reader seeing red at the injustice of it all. Mike Robbins gives us a fantastic essay on the state of things in the UK, why this guy isn't doing Ted talks is beyond me, his way of getting facts across makes it so easy to read. M. J. Black gives the reader some more poetry, it has been so long since I've seen any work by him, great to see him in print again. My favourite short story has to be the one by Rupert Dreyfus, he has such a cocky swagger to his writing and he always puts little links to his other work and it is great when you spot one. There are no weaknesses in this book, and Jay Spencer Green does a great job with some funny job adverts splitting up the short stories.
All money made from this book is being donated to food bank charities so please go and buy yourself a copy.
Blog review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2019/01/05/the-anti-austerity-anthology-by-the-anti-austerity-collective/
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