Orlam

by PJ Harvey
Orlam cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Poetry
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  • ID: 2284
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9781529063134
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2022-04-28
  • Formats: 6
  • Reviews: 3

Orlam is a unique coming-of-age tale set in the rural West Country of England, told through the eyes of nine-year-old Ira-Abel Rawles. The story unfolds month by month, drawing on local rituals, children's songs, and superstitions to create a twin realm where Ira-Abel navigates a confusing and frightening world. Her guardian, Orlam, the all-seeing lamb’s eyeball, watches over her as she encounters moments of violence, sexual confusion, and family oppression, balanced by ecstatic experiences in sunlit clearings and bawdy humor. The narrative is carried by Ira’s personal Christ, the bleeding soldier-ghost Wyman-Elvis, who bears the message of love: Love Me Tender. /n/n Written in the Dorset dialect, Orlam is not only a remarkable coming-of-age story but also a testament to P J Harvey's poetic talent. The book blends formal skill, a keen eye for detail, and a transformative ear for the lyric line, resulting in a strange and moving poem unlike any other. It explores themes of love, innocence, and the complexities of growing up in a rural setting.

Reviews
The Friday Poem · 2022-08-25
impressive 4.50

The reviewer finds Orlam to be a work of broad scope and impressive attention to detail, with much to praise and discuss.

The reviewer is impressed by the broad scope and impressive attention to detail in Orlam, noting that there is a lot to talk about and praise. They highlight the work's depth and complexity, appreciating the way Harvey weaves together various themes and imagery. The reviewer finds the poem-sequence to be a rich and layered exploration of light and shadow, with hints of violence, sexual confusion, and family oppression. They commend Harvey's ability to create a compelling and thought-provoking narrative that resonates with the reader.

Quick quotes

    There is a lot to talk about in Orlam, and a lot to praise.

    It is a work of broad scope and impressive attention to detail.

    All told, it numbers among the most impressive and thought-provoking works of recent years.

The Bardic Academic · 2022-05-13
provocative 4.00

The reviewer finds the collection astonishing, disturbing, and exhilarating, praising its ability to provoke and engage the reader.

The reviewer is struck by the powerful and unsettling nature of Orlam, describing it as astonishing, disturbing, and exhilarating. They appreciate how Harvey's verse refuses straightforward interpretation, delving into both the magical and sinister aspects of growing up. The reviewer finds the work to be provocative and engaging, with a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences that leave a lasting impact. They highlight the depth and complexity of Harvey's writing, making it a standout collection.

Quick quotes

    This is the 2nd collection by twice-Mercury Prize winner musician PJ Harvey, and it astonishes, disturbs, provokes, and exhilarates as much as her music.

    Harvey's verse refuses straightforward interpretation; she traces both the magical and the sinister transitions of growing up in the countryside.

    It is a work that provokes and engages the reader on multiple levels.

The Guardian · 2022-04-29
profound 4.50

The reviewer praises the exquisite nature poetry and the lyricism with which Harvey captures the seasons and flora and fauna. They highlight the deep emotional resonance of the narrative.

The reviewer is captivated by the exquisite nature poetry in Orlam, noting how Harvey's lyricism brings the seasons and local flora and fauna to life. They appreciate the deep emotional resonance of the narrative, which is both poignant and evocative. The reviewer finds the work to be a profound exploration of childhood, filled with both beauty and darkness. They highlight Harvey's ability to capture the essence of growing up in the countryside, making it a memorable and affecting read.

Quick quotes

    Orlam is full of exquisite nature poetry, and Harvey captures the seasons and the flora and fauna with lyricism and care.

    Ira's attention to the minutiae of her surroundings is both precise and deeply felt.

    The narrative is a profound exploration of childhood, filled with both beauty and darkness.

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