Published in 2020
79 pages
Rachel Long is a poet and the founder of Octavia Poetry Collective for Women of Colour, which is housed at Southbank Centre in London. My Darling from the Lions is her debut collection. She was born in London, and resides there today.
What is this book about?
‘An enchanting and heartwarming new voice in poetry.’ – Bernardine Evaristo, author of Girl, Woman, Other
Each poem has a vivid story to tell – of family quirks, the perils of dating, the grip of religion or sexual awakening – stories that are, by turn, emotionally insightful, politically conscious, wise, funny and outrageous.
Long reveals herself as a razor-sharp and original voice on the issues of sexual politics and cultural inheritance that polarize our current moment. But it’s her refreshing commitment to the power of the individual poem that will leave the reader turning each page in eager anticipation: here is an immediate, wide-awake poetry that entertains royally, without sacrificing a note of its urgency or remarkable skill.
‘This debut collection is the modern poetry we need to read right now’ – Stylist
‘Beautiful. I’m so glad it was written.’ – Hollie McNish, author of Nobody Told Me
