Described as “beautifully brutal” by The John Hansard Gallery (Hannah Cox), “Motherhoodlum” is performance poet Estelle Phillips’ debut collection, and comes some two years after publisher Jawbone Collective saw her perform, recognised her as “an important and fresh voice” and thought, “we should publish her”.
Estelle represented Southampton in the Hammer & Tongue National Finals in the Royal Albert Hall in 2021, and most of “Motherhoodlum” was written while she was living in Romsey.
Encompassing themes of motherhood, violence, love and war, the collection is illustrated by black and white photos by the poet, and includes the poems “Dragon Child”, “Walking Home” and “Reaper” that have been broadcast by BBC Radio.
Inspired by an interview with a Ukrainian soldier, “Reaper” is also published in translation by the Ukraine Literature Museum, City of Dnipro and Dnipro region and released as a film to YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv-Ynj9L3no
“Motherhoodlum” has garnered praise from the world of music and theatre, too: Kirk Brandon (Spear of Destiny, Theatre Of Hate) describes the collection in lyrical style, “A great work, full of human reactions that elicit the heat of the moment, primeval feelings like fear, anxiety and imminent danger. On the flip side, a tremendous appreciation of love and nature. You see it, and live in it.” Anthroplay Theatre also describes it as “A beautiful collection. Compelling and delicate whilst universally honest” while Kevan Manwaring, of The Bardic Handbook, Silver Branch says, “Embodied, unflinching, and full of raw vignettes of violence and love, this slim collection from a promising new voice doesn’t pull punches”.
“Motherhoodlum” is available to purchase at independent bookshop October Books in Portswood, Southampton.
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