First 30

by Margaret Chideme

First Thirty is a raw, sensual and uncensored collection of poetry about love and lust, pain and abuse, womanhood, divorce, searching and rediscovery. It is a peek into the beautiful recital of a woman persona's internal dialogue and memories about the joys and struggles through the different phases in her life.

The anthology splits these phases in 5, namely Her Pain, Her Lust, Her Wander, Her Truth and Her Strengths. It is also a book about freedom from judgment from our untold truths and shame. It brings to light a lot of issues that are blanketed in any patriarchal society especially the African society.

The book showcases stunning illustrations to compliment the poetry. If you love thought provoking illustrations and poetry, you will love this book!

174 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2021

Reviews

[Kelly Windley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover of both poetry and unconventional perspectives, I recently had the pleasure of reading Margaret Chideme's First 30. From the moment I opened the book, it was clear that Chideme is not just a poet; she is a storyteller, weaving her thoughts, memories, and personal experiences into a rich tapestry of colorful and boundless creativity.
First 30 fearlessly tackles taboo topics surrounding life, womanhood, ambition, and self-discovery. As a reader, I initially found the poems to be quite confronting. However, as I read on they sunk in and as I thought about them more I found I could relate to them and enjoyed them.
The poems are a journey through the complexities of racial discrimination, love, self-discovery and pretty much - life. Each piece invites readers to reflect on their own lives and the shared struggles that often go unspoken. It's refreshing to encounter a collection that fearlessly delves into subjects that many shy away from but are undeniably crucial to our understanding of the world.
For those seeking a literary journey that goes beyond the ordinary, this collection is a must-read. It challenges, inspires, and ultimately leaves a lasting imprint on the reader's mind.
I look forward to more from this talented poet who fearlessly pushes the boundaries of conventional expression, inviting us all to embrace the beauty and complexity of our shared humanity.
NB: I had the pleasure of receiving an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of "First 30" courtesy of Rowanvale Books. My decision to pen down this review is entirely voluntary, devoid of any coercion or external influence. The viewpoints expressed herein are purely my own, providing an authentic representation of my encounter with the book. I am genuinely grateful for the chance to share my impressions of ‘First 30’

[Hannah Mcintosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid consumer and creator of poetry, I am always looking for my next slice of delicious word pie… well, look no further my fellow readers and poets! Margaret Chideme beautifully encompasses the strengths and vulnerabilities of being a woman, specifically within an African society. It is such a powerful anthology, if you are looking to be both inspired and educated.

From cover to cover you will experience the full range of emotions: lust, hatred, romance, heart-ache, secrecy, angst and (of course) happiness. There are illustrations alongside specific poems to amplify their meaning. My personal favourite was “Life’s Filled Fury” as it is heated and visceral.

Overall, Margaret Chideme has created a true feminist masterpiece with unique and fresh perspectives. I am looking forward to any of her future work. Thank you to Rowanvale Publishing for providing me a copy, I have left this review voluntarily.

*The author does allude to SA in a poem, so readers be mindful of your triggers.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my preferred genres is poetry, and I am always excited to discover fresh voices. Feminine poetry is something I enjoy quite a lot, as I feel strongly that women have a boundless creative potential within, just waiting to be unleashed. In this collection of poetry, I discovered poems that are raw and uncensored. The author shows the different facades of womanhood through her writing, and it is clear to see that she feels both the joy and struggle of being a woman intensely. There are poems that bear a certain sensuality, and many more that speak of love and lust. Some will cause you to think about your own self. For me, it was an interesting read, as I got to discover what it means to be a woman living in an African society. The book has some interesting illustrations as well, which complement the beautiful verses. I received a free copy of this book from Rowanvale Books, but the opinion I posted is my own and not biased in any way.

[Emaan H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetry is truly like a diary open to the world. Being able to hear the speakers life and private and intimate thoughts is very fascinating, but however you choose to interpret and understand it is really up to the reader. The illustrations that are woven through the book are beautiful and there is a great variety in topics discussed. The speaker really takes you on an emotional rollercoaster and as deep and touching as the topics can be, it is really impossible to put it down. This collection is beautiful and has really encouraged me to explore poetry more - its a new format for me, but its a great fast-paced way to get back into reading. I really recommend that you go into this with an open heart and mind and just absorb its simple yet intricate writing. Its really one that's a comforting book to keep rereading.
I received a free copy of this book from Rowanvale Books but this review is completely my own and entirely honest.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a collection of poems from the perspective of an African woman as she faces many facets of society that challenge her on different levels. I think the poetess has done a great job in portraying a unique feminine perspective, however personally, I thought it was a bit dark and truth be told, I am not in a dark place, so I couldn't empathize entirely with the poems. I do think they were well-written, but they just didn't meet my current mind frame. Since they are based on the author's life experiences, they make for a good way to see how a woman struggles emotionally.
I received a free copy from Rowanvale Books, however, the review above is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Beth Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this collection of poetry. It was brutal but beautiful and very thought provoking. The poet's use of page spacing and punctuation was very impactful, developing a cold and painful tone. I also very much enjoyed the use if the first person female persona - the voice from the page feels very real and despite the ambiguity of some of the poems, a clear depiction of emotions are evident and evoked in the reader. An overall very enjoyable read of which I would highly recommend.
I read this collection after receiving a free copy of the book from Rowanvale Books. I have then chosen to voluntarily post an honest and impartial review, which was not obligatory.

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of poems is like a window into the author's life experiences. It is a reflection of female endurance from an African woman’s perspective and really opened my eyes to the author’s perception of the world around her. Both the fragility and the strength of womanhood is highlighted within this book and the result is beautiful and varied poetry.
While I received a free copy of this book from Rowanvale Books, this review is my honest and unbiased opinion.