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poyums
- Narrated by: Len Pennie
- Length: 1 hr and 44 mins
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poyums
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Summary
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.
Critic reviews
"Beautiful poetry and her language is just spectacular." (Jane Godley)
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What listeners say about poyums
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michael
- 22-02-24
Strength in struggle
"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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tom
- 24-02-24
Emotional, Powerful and Unapologetically Compelling
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lisa_Prim
- 25-02-24
A roller coaster of emotion
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- alison
- 20-04-24
Fantastic!
If you’re not into poetry, then I’d still recommend this book. Yes, there’s an ongoing message due to her traumatic experiences. There’s still lots of humour, anger, love and all sorts of other emotions and I’ve loved it all. Len Penny reads her words with such passion and depth that you’re surprised that she isn’t sitting next to you. I look forward to her next book with anticipation and in the meantime will just have to settle for her daily posts ❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- julie turnbull
- 11-03-24
Fiesty Passion
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
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 29-02-24
Thank you
This is a fantastic collection of your work, I do wish your inspiration could have come from a better place but I thank you for sharing your troubles and their message, I hope they can provide comfort to others who are fighting the same battles and open up the eyes of more men to show that they can do better to stop the war
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Steven Ballantyne
- 23-03-24
Fantasticly written book read with all the emotion from the author.
This book certainly takes you on a journey through the emotions of life, as the author reads it you can really feel each word and it certainly enhances the experience of listening to the book.
It brings up a lot of thinking points and talking points that I'm sure can be taken forward to right wrongs and become a better as people.
It's a heavy to listen to so if your looking for something happy and light, get it but listen to it later as its certainly not one to miss.
It's also peppered with lots of Scots words that even if you don't know them they are written in a way the meaning certainly would not be lost. Very skillfully done.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- HB
- 10-03-24
A book everyone should listen to
I don’t read poetry. It’s never appealed. But Len Pennie’s warrior poetry speaks to the struggle that many of us experience. A warm, moving, humorous and inspiring collection that gives voice to many emotions that are difficult for many of us to express. A book that everyone should listen to, read beautifully by the author.
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