5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal

P.S. · 24 January 2017

I’ve wanted to experience Kate’s work since I read some glowing reviews in The Guardian online. I’m so glad I finally did. Brand New Ancients was bloody amazing. I loved Kate voice reading this poem; she’s a phenomenal performer and would be amazing live. I could have listened to her for many more hours than this short audiobook allowed. Brand New Ancients is one epic poem. It’s one of the best poems I’ve read/heard in a long time. I loved it. I really like Greek Mythology and loved how Kate played around with it, finding examples of ancient God’s in everyday people. The main story running through the poem, telling the story of a group of young people growing up in modern times, one the product of an affair, one unloved by his father, getting in trouble, their lives spiralling out of control and becoming more violent is brilliantly executed. Tommy and Clive, half-brothers who don’t know it remind me a little bit of the half-brother’s in my favourite play, Blood Brothers. The fact I read the audio and read a paperback copy of the poem together added to my enjoyment. One thing I noticed it that some of the wording on the audio differs from the printed version, and in most cases the words used on the audio are better. Brand New Ancients is astonishing. I must read and listen to all of Kate’s work now.

5.0 out of 5 stars The domestic meets the epic. Brilliantly performed, written with compassion and insight.

J. · 7 September 2016

I got this on a gambit, because 'The Bricks that Built The Houses' isn't available on audiobook.It took a bit of adjusting to Kate's voice, but its a helluva story - really poignant in places, and a bit upsetting at the climax. The lady knows human nature, and is compassionate with our flaws and hurts.I like her insights into modern urban life, and applying that epic vibe ("the Gods are in the toilets having unprotected sex"... I wasn't expecting that lyric!) is pretty much a stroke of genius.I got this and a 'Slam poetry' audio CD at the same time, and its been a brilliant combination of the ancient and the modern. Very educational.Highly, highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure genius

E.M. · 29 April 2014

This is yet another masterful piece of work, by the exceptional poet/rapper Kate Tempest. She weaves her modern-day telling of Ancient Greek tales, in the everyday & extra-ordinary lives of her modern-day gods, with such breath-taking deftness, music, passion and intelligence, bringing her listeners on a journey of insight and emotion, touching the mind, hear and soul in a way I've never experienced before in my life (and I'm certainly no stranger to the power of poetry & music). This is an amazing & inspiring human being, and I defy anyone who listens this, not to be moved and inspired by her! It's not elitist or pretentious, because it's so exquisitely brilliant, it doesn't need to pretend to be quality, or bluff people into deference - it is great, but that doesn't make it cold or stuffy or intellectual at the expense of reality & soul. This is just so much better than any piece of Art or performance I've experienced in a very long time, possibly ever.

4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars

B.A.S. · 26 November 2016

A very powerful poem linking myths and the present day.

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb

L.R. · 20 December 2014

Brilliant but best experienced when performed live with her band. Then this becomes awesome/However, be advised - this is a CD in a card sleeve and nothing more. Despite this, Bolo will charge you £2.75 delivery charge because they class it as an audio book when it's not the same size as an audio book. I've spent an entire day arguing with them by email to no avail. It won't taint your experience of the wonderful piece of poetry but you know, it is Bolo...

5.0 out of 5 stars As i want

I.a.v.h.t.p.t.p. · 19 October 2024

Happy with this wonderful purchase

5.0 out of 5 stars When ancient Greece meets kitchen sink

B.B. · 5 November 2014

If Homer got bladdered with Ken Loach in a south London pub, they might come up with something like this. The scope is epic, but the drama has the sort of exquisite fragility that only comes from brilliant writing about the most ordinary of souls. At times, I was so scared for Tempest's characters I felt physically sick.A Ted Hughes award, Mercury prize shortlist, and all by the time she's twenty-eight. Whither now for our Kate? I can't wait to find out. She's already my hero.

3.0 out of 5 stars If you're up for a verse novel that's really good - a lot more demanding than this

S. · 17 June 2015

Very good-hearted, and at times the assonantal rap technique is v. effective - speedy and punchy; at others, it seemed to me, it's lazy, and the contents a bit preachy. I could have done without the first four pages ("The myths in this city have always said the same thing - /about how all we need is a place to belong", etc.), and in fact the whole "ancients" bit, which didn't feel earned. But then this is meant for performance, and I'm only commenting on its effect on the page ...If you're up for a verse novel that's really good - a lot more demanding than this, but well worth it - try Anthony Burgess's "Byrne". Amazingly skilful and absorbing.

Spoken Word mit großartiger Musik

E. · 17 October 2015

Diese Rezenzion bezieht sich auf die CD/ das Hörbuch. Schon mit dieser Unsicherheit der Gattung deutet sich die besondere, große Leistung dieses Werkes an. An einigen Stellen funktioniert es wie eine Musikaufnahme, erfasst man den Sinn auch ohne Kenntnis des konkreten Textinhalts. Die Instrumentalmusik ist eigenständig, aber sie steht nie beziehungslos neben dem Spoken Word. So erreicht der Vortrag eine Intensität, die der bloße gedruckte Text nicht herstellen kann. Ein wahrer Genuss neben dem bewegenden, zwischen Zerbrechlichkeit und kraftstrotzendem Ausdruck changierenden Vortrag von Kate Tempest ist das Cello.Ein Lob auch für die Covergestaltung! Antike und Moderne mischen sich, die Musikhörerin mit den Ohrstöpseln wird zur Wiedergängerin der uralten Bacchantin. Das trifft den Kern des Eingangstextes wunderbar.Wie bei normalen Hörbüchern gibt es auch hier leider kein Booklet. Wer sich mit den Texten ernsthaft auseinandersetzen wil, muss also sehr konzentriert hinhören. Oder sich zusätzlich das Buch kaufen. Den meisterhaften Vortrag von Frau Tempest sollte sich aber niemand entgehen lassen. Und sich nicht davon abschrecken lassen, dass die Autorin auch als Rapperin tätig ist, denn mit dieser Art Musik hat das vorliegende Werk nicht viel gemein.Noch ein Wort zum Inhalt: Wenn Kate Tempest schreibt: "The Gods are all here, because the Gods are in us", dann bedeutet das eben nicht, dass alle Menschen perfekt sind und das Leben toll. Die Götter, das sind die griechischen Helden, bei denen außergewöhnliche Erfolge mit größten persönlichen Tragödien vermischt waren. Miss Tempest erzählt von nichts weniger als von der Monstrosität des Lebens.

Perfopoetry

A.T. · 14 January 2022

What a poetic delight, what a powerful flight!

Magnifique texte ..

e.p. · 15 September 2019

Bien reçu, en parfait étatUn texte d'une très grande force,à conseiller

Brand New Masterpiece

f.t. · 29 March 2018

This is stunning, and Kate Tempest is a powerful, original, beautiful voice. Please read this poem, and read it out loud if you can; it will leave you broken and hopeful and shocked and empowered all at the same time. Bolo delivery great as usual.

Highly Recommend

C. · 22 February 2017

I love Kate Tempest's style of poetry. Even when it is not read aloud (which it should be), her words have a rhythm and flow that is just a pleasure to read. "Brand New Ancients" is my favorite of her works. The writing is beautiful, engaging, and relatable, and I think the story can speak to a lot of people. I would recommend everyone read "Brand New Ancients," even people who don't normally like poetry. It really is something special.