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poyums

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poyums

By: Len Pennie
Narrated by: Len Pennie
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About this listen

And I have done more than just simply get by

So much more than escape or survive

Through the galvanisation of love, time and patience

I’ll take hold of my story and thrive

After life that was seldom what life ought to be

Through laughter and love I’ll be whole

This story is mine from the cover to spine

And the narrative I will control

Whether she’s writing letters to her younger self, advocating for women’s rights or adapting fairy tales to process an abusive relationship, Len’s voice is bold, unashamedly frank and unmistakably hers.

The poems in this collection, both funny and fiercely feminist, announce a formidable new talent. Moving deftly between English and Scots, poyums is as approachable as it is affecting.

©2024 Len Pennie (P)2024 Canongate Books Poetry Inspiring Funny Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

"Beautiful poetry and her language is just spectacular." (Jane Godley)
All stars
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Len has such passion in the way she delivers her poems. truly an emotional journey.....but very much enjoyed..wrong word I know ..might need a wee dram after listening and holding her book.
keep goin lass.
from a fellow red

Fiesty Passion

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Wow! What a listen. I devoured it in one sitting. I had wanted to listen to hear the poems as they were intended and this did not dissappoint. Len's reading of her work is passionately descriptive of the torment she has experienced. This brought me to tears. Tales of her mother and her mental health struggles rang so true in my ears. A few lines scattered which take me back to my own childhood such as "haud yer wheesht" in yer talking shite to name a few. Loved this Len. Thank you for sharing.

A roller coaster of emotion

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"Poyums", by the inimitable Len Pennie, is a thought-provoking collection of magnificent wordsmithing! Len's passionate phrasings comes from a soul-deep well into which each of us should both dread and delight to peer. There lies immense pain and soaring hope, amalgamated; creating a tough, shining alloy. Sharpness that cuts, resilience that shields, and a stalwart support.
And for me personally, I'm glad I didn't have to wait for the audiobook. Not only for my difficulty in reading these days, but also for the added nuance of hearing poetry read by its author.

Strength in struggle

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Len takes you on a journey starting with personal tragedy with the likes of 'Honey' and 'Oh, Look' and finishes with poyums about defiance and hope with the likes of 'Address tae the Leid' and ''I'm No Havin Children'. There is a lot here and it can be an emotional rollercoaster to go through. I personally found that I got the most out of it in bite sized sessions rather than all in one go.

There are poyums in here that will resonate with readers of all shapes and backgrounds. Her strongest peices are based on her own experiences with abuse, misogyny, mental health struggles, and heart break. As a survivor of abuse, sexual assault and mental illness there was a lot in here which resontard with me. A lot of the times depictions of mental health issues and sexual violence can feel put on and inauthentic. That is not the case with poyums. You can tell that she has gone through a lot and that she is not putting it on. She has managed to concentrate complicated and distressing emotions into concise and easily understood lines and stanzas.

Len's performance of each poyum is powerful. A lot of the poyums within poyums have been published on her TikTok and Instagram accounts. I was worried that the audible version might feel the same as the TikTok ones. I was relieved that the audible versions of her pieces were unique.

It feels like Canongate just got her in a room and told her to just go for it. She does not hold back in the recording booth. You can feel the emotion of every line, stanza and rhyme. It will make you feel a wide range of emotions and it will make you cry.

My only criticism of the audible adaptation is that it would be better if the poyum titles were used rather than chapter numbers in the audible menus. I love that the audible version is split by poyum but it is hard to work out which one is which when trying to replay individual poyums.

Emotional, Powerful and Unapologetically Compelling

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Wonderful book of Scots words that tell the pain and the struggle and the strength of the author with stay with you long after. Highly recommend

Pure Gallus verses from an extremely talented wee poet.

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It's amazing how the author compiles such complex feelings into simple stories with memorable lines, and rhymes, within them!

The author's vocal emotion gives each poyum an extra layer, or two, of depth

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Amazing listen on a long drive, lots of emotions and hard hitting poyums. Strongly recommended for anyone living in today's world.

amazing emotional performance

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There is a line about how you shouldn't mess with a poet if you don't want a retort in the form of poetry which made me cry out with delight and triumph. Worthy of inclusion in any poetry anthology beside any poets at all you would care to name.

Inspiring Insular Germanic

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This is a very powerful selection of poems that are hard to listen to as a man as this poet knows what unfortunately the abuse she is writing about. I think ever school should make this book of poetry compulsory for all students to study.

A woman who knows the pain of abuse

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So glad that I didn't have to wait for the audible failing eyesight makes reading a chore.
The poyums are amazing emotionally challenging but certainly they're not a bore.
From one who has suffered abuse heartbreak and pain . unbeleivingly I'm left wanting more.
More of your witty and gritty revelations that we really knew all along.
Your stanzas so musical lilting and beautiful really they should be called song.
Keep up the fight I'm right behind you I just wish I had your gift of wisdom and words.

Powerful and beautiful

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