But & Though

by Jake Hawkey
But & Though cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Poetry
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Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99
Amazon
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  • ID: 2268
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9781035048113
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2025-02-27
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Jake Hawkey's impressive debut poetry collection, But & Though, is a powerful exploration of a boy's journey through a childhood overshadowed by parental alcoholism. The poems are electric and buzzing with the possibilities of language, capturing the playful and spiritual characters that inhabit the tapestry of London life. From hospital wards to the back rows of buses, Hawkey's voice is spiky, irreverent, and gentle, celebrating working-class identity and the kinship ties that bind us together. With a voice that is both defensive and desperately vulnerable, Hawkey's collection is a testament to the human spirit and the search for home. The poems are a celebration of the resilience and vulnerability of the human experience, making it a refreshing and moving addition to contemporary poetry.

Reviews
Amazon.co.uk · Nick Laird · 2025-02-27
brilliant 4.50

The poems are electric and buzzing with linguistic possibilities. The author has a lot to say and expresses it brilliantly.

Nick Laird praises the collection for its vibrant and dynamic use of language. They highlight how the poems are full of energy and creativity, making them stand out. The reviewer appreciates the depth and brilliance with which the author conveys their thoughts and emotions. This collection is seen as a fresh and exciting addition to contemporary poetry.

Quick quotes

    Hawkey's poems are electric, buzzing with all the possibilities of language.

    He has much to say, and is saying it brilliantly.

    A scintillating debut meditating on love, parental addiction and loss, from a new voice in British poetry.

PoetryBooks.co.uk · 2025-02-27
exciting 4.00

The collection introduces a fresh and authentic new voice in British poetry. It appeals to those interested in contemporary poetic styles.

The reviewer at PoetryBooks.co.uk highlights the fresh perspective and playful style of the poems. They believe this collection introduces a vital and authentic new voice in British poetry. The reviewer suggests that the collection will appeal to a wide audience, particularly those interested in the broader landscape of contemporary poetry. The playful and innovative approach is seen as a significant contribution to the genre.

Quick quotes

    Hawkey's fresh perspective and playful style introduces a vital, authentic new voice in British poetry.

    It will appeal also to those interested in the wider contemporary poetic landscape.

    A scintillating debut meditating on love, parental addiction and loss, from a new voice in British poetry.

T.G. Jones Online · Nick Laird · 2025-02-27
vibrant 4.50

The poems are electric and full of linguistic possibilities. The author's voice is both vital and authentic.

Nick Laird's review emphasizes the electric quality of the poems, noting their linguistic creativity and vitality. They see the collection as a significant addition to British poetry, introducing a new voice that is both authentic and compelling. The reviewer appreciates the depth and brilliance with which the author explores themes of love, addiction, and loss. This collection is praised for its fresh perspective and playful style, making it a standout in contemporary poetry.

Quick quotes

    Hawkey's poems are electric, buzzing with all the possibilities of language.

    He has much to say, and is saying it brilliantly.

    Hawkey's fresh perspective and playful style introduces a vital, authentic new voice in British poetry.

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