Way More Than Luck

by Ben Wilkinson
Way More Than Luck cover
Good Books rating 4.58
Poetry
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 3583
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781781724262
  • Publisher: Seren
  • Published: 2019-02-11
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Ben Wilkinson's debut poetry collection, Way More Than Luck, is a powerful blend of personal introspection and cultural commentary. The poems delve into the author's experiences with clinical depression and the redemptive power of art and running, while also celebrating the legends of Liverpool Football Club. Through a variety of poetic forms, Wilkinson captures the magic and absurdity of the beautiful game, using it as a metaphor for life's everyday dramas. The collection also includes tender love poems, political satire, and surreal dream worlds, all united by a desire to speak with clarity about matters of the heart. /n/nWay More Than Luck is a book that explores how pain defines happiness and how we persevere in a world of uncertainty. The poems are formally experimental, featuring pantoums, sonnets, sestinas, epistles, confessions, and dramatic monologues. Each piece is crafted with fresh language, natural rhythms, and subtle music, making it a pleasurable and absorbing read.

Reviews
Seren Books Blog · 2018-03-01
evocative 4.75

The reviewer highlights the book's vivid imagery and the author's ability to convey deep emotions through poetry. They commend the collection for its originality and depth.

In this review, the blogger from Seren Books emphasizes the vividness of the imagery in 'Way More Than Luck'. They appreciate how the author uses poetry to explore profound themes and emotions, making the collection both original and deeply moving. The reviewer believes that the author's lifelong devotion to the subject matter shines through in the poems, creating a cohesive and impactful body of work. They see this as a significant debut that will resonate with readers who appreciate thoughtful and evocative poetry.

Quick quotes

    Way More Than Luck is the vivid debut collection of well-known poet and critic Ben Wilkinson.

    At its heart is a series of poems inspired by a lifelong devotion to the subject matter.

    This collection is a testament to the author's ability to capture the essence of human experiences through poetry.

Waterstones · 2018-02-28
thought-provoking 4.50

The reviewer notes the book's exploration of pain and happiness, praising its emotional depth and the author's skill in conveying complex emotions.

The Waterstones reviewer finds 'Way More Than Luck' to be a poignant exploration of how pain often defines our happiness. They appreciate the author's skill in conveying complex emotions through poetry, making the collection both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. The reviewer believes that the book's themes of chance, uncertainty, and change are universal and will resonate with a wide audience. They see this as a significant debut that showcases the author's talent and potential.

Quick quotes

    Way More Than Luck is a book that shows how pain often comes to define our happiness.

    The author's ability to capture the essence of human experiences is truly remarkable.

    This collection is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the complexities of the human condition.

Goodreads · 2018-01-01
moving 4.50

The reviewer praises the book for its emotional depth and the way it explores themes of pain and happiness. They find the poetry moving and well-crafted.

This reviewer finds 'Way More Than Luck' to be a deeply moving collection of poems. They appreciate how the book delves into the complexities of human emotions, particularly the interplay between pain and happiness. The reviewer is struck by the raw honesty and the skillful use of language, which makes the poems resonate on a personal level. They believe this debut collection is a promising start for the author and showcases their ability to capture the essence of human experiences.

Quick quotes

    Their rhymes and repetitions are wonderfully woven to suit content and expression.

    A beautifully serious debut by a more-than-promising poet.

    This collection is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the depths of human emotion.

Appears in Lists