A review by nadia
The First Collection by Sarah Lipton-Sidibeh

reflective fast-paced

3.0

One of the things that I don't enjoy about poetry is when I have to work hard to make head or tail of what the poet is saying and by the end of the process ultimately feeling none-the-wiser.

I know that a big part of poetry is taking from it whatever strikes you, but I do like to have a more confident assessment of what the poet was attempting to communicate.

So, going into this collection by Sarah Lipton-Sidibeh I was surprised at how straightforward and accessible they were. And Lipton-Sidibeh's uses of rhyme added a quirky twist to what was serious subject matter.

Originally, I enjoyed not having to grapple with the poems. But then, about 60% in, I realised that I was left wanting at the end of each one. It was almost like there was an excitement that wasn't there because everything was laid out for me. I found myself craving more of a challenge.

Still, a few of the poems, especially some of the final lines, did have impact, and a couple made me chuckle at points.

There's a whole range of subject matter in this: Britain's history, politics, the economy, ageing, colonialism, breasts, pregnancy, eating disorders, climate change, relationships, emotions, and more. 

If you like the sound of that variety and are typically afraid of diving into poetry, then I wholeheartedly recommend this collection!