Raymond Antrobus is a deaf poet and teacher whose work delves into the essence of human communication and visibility. His poetry often explores the boundaries between sound and silence, the seen and the unseen, seeking a deeper understanding of the human experience. Antrobus's style is known for its meticulous attention to detail and its ability to reveal beauty in everyday moments, offering readers fresh perspectives on the world around them.
After the death of his father, Raymond returns to Jamaica but restless questions begin to unearth inside him (Who I am now is something I need to remember). Upon returning to the UK Raymond travelled to Bristol, Liverpool, Hastings, Hull and around London to meditate in the places where the pain and grief of history is bigger than his own.
The debut full collection from celebrated British-Jamaican poet Raymond Antrobus.
Recognized as a Guardian Best Book of the Year, this title captivates readers with its compelling narrative and rich character development. The story explores profound themes that resonate with contemporary issues, weaving together emotional depth and thought-provoking insights. Its unique perspective and engaging prose invite readers to reflect on the complexities of the human experience, making it a standout choice for anyone seeking a meaningful literary journey.
Anne McNeill, Anthony Downey, Bindi Vora, Campbell X, Dave Lewis, Dr Susha Jansari, Krasimira Butseva, Lola Young, Loren Hansi Gordon, Mark Sealy, Raymond Antrobus, Renée Mussai, Tarini Malik
Boy Bear cannot hear Dad Bear coming to wake him up in the morning but he can feel the floor vibrate with his heavy footsteps. He can only grasp little bits of what his teacher says to him at school. He cannot catch what his friends are laughing at. And, all the time, Boy Bear keeps hearing the question, Can Bears ski? What does it mean? With the support of Dad Bear, Boy Bear visits an audiologist and, eventually, he gets hearing aids. Suddenly, he understands the question everyone has been asking him: Can you hear me? Raymond draws on his own experience to show how isolating it can be for a deaf child in a hearing world.
My sister and me fight! Push Pull Hurt Hide. We would not use our words. This little boy does not get on with his sister. They misunderstand each other, struggle to communicate, and they fight. Afterwards, there's a lot of hurt, heavy feelings and loneliness. In order to escape their constant rowing and clear his head, the boy often retreats to his bedroom when he writes his stories. He writes stories about terrible horses - trampling and galloping - and he, a lone pony, who cannot compete and cannot speak. But what happens when his sister finds his book? Could it be a way for them to finally understand each other?
Building on his award-winning debut collection, The Perseverance, All the Names Given is a collection of intimate, deeply personal poems flickering with gods and ghosts, and the painful electricity that runs up and down the wires of lineage and inheritance.