More Than These Bones

by Bebe Backhouse

more than these bones is an epic and intercontinental poetry work detailing the author’s journey through heartbreak and self-discovery. The book is rooted in place. Pieces land in multiple settings – the bar, the beach, the bush and sometimes, the bedroom, each location lending itself to another dimension of his story so far. The canopy of this collection stretches seamlessly from chic to ancient, from tender to tough, as Backhouse’s writing offers a vital, polyphonic voice for our times.

Alongside his words are photographs and hand-drawn expressions which speckle the page, every line the tattoo of an echo. more than these bones is filled with a love of flesh, of others, of country and eventually, for self.

Genres: Poetry

244 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2023

About the author

Bebe Backhouse is a Bardi man from Western Australia. With a background in classical music as a concert pianist, repetiteur and teacher, his educational work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in the Kimberley led him to win ‘Western Australian Young Person of the Year in the Arts’ at twenty-one. He now lives in Melbourne where he designs and produces creative high-profile festivals and events for that city’s diverse communities.

Reviews

[Linda Westhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first received this book as an ARC and saw that it was poetry, I was a bit dubious as to whether I would enjoy it, as it’s not something I would normally pick up. It took me only a few pages to be captivated by the absolute talent Bebe Backhouse has for putting words together; I was constantly wanting to copy down the quotes to refer to another time; the pages flowed beautifully; it was very raw and personal and beautiful. I feel emotionally richer for having read this book. I feel embarrassed writing a review using my words when his are so eloquent and beautifully put together. I am a new fan. Just stunning. Having lost my mum not so long ago, the references to his mother when she passed away were quite personal. I think if I was someone who was going through a particularly painful breakup, this book would be a comfort, a bit like listening to songs that resonate with your mood. I actually thought quite a few of the pages could easily be put to music. Once again, the beauty of getting an ARC, this one from Better Reading, it that is gets you to read a book you may not have otherwise considered, I would never have chosen this book to read so thanks to Better Reading for the opportunity to read this beautiful collection of words, I feel like this book has broadened and opened my mind.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ - gifted in exchange for honest review

This novel is different to my typical reads, but it is definitely one I’ll cherish and revisit to read my favourite pieces again later. More Than These Bones is beautiful and I’m thankful I had the opportunity to read and enjoy this book.

A story about falling in love, heartbreak, growing up and learning to love yourself. Each poem individually is beautiful, paired with illustrations and images or written in shapes that help you feel its meaning. But read together, the poems become a story for the reader to resonate with.

While each experience of it is different, love is universal. Despite this book being about Bebe’s own life and journey of love and self, each reader will be able to find some reflection of their own experience in these pages and hopefully cherish this story too.

[Crystal McKellar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a powerful set of poems and thoughts captured in one book by a beautiful mind. This is why I love preview reads as this isn’t a book I would have considered, I see poems as a dated media that we all studied at school by rarely picked up again, but thank you for showing this modern and relevant take. The poems follow love and loss as a young adult navigating life and finding a place in the world we the current world can sometimes be difficult, this is the debut of Bebe Backhouse but I predict more powerful works will follow.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Than These Bones is Bebe Backhouse’s debut solo publication and I simply cannot wait for the next! This collection of poetry was so moving I haven’t stopped thinking about it for days. I devoured it in one sitting. The first half had my heart feeling heavy, remembering all too well the intensity and devastation of my first love. Bebe’s style is writing is so raw and poignant that I am certain this will be the first of many books.

I was given this book by Better Reading in exchange for my honest review.

[Emily Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful collection of the authors memories, feelings and stories turned into poetry. It really takes you into their world and explores feelings of lost love and wanting to find their place in the world.

[Kate Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excoriatingly raw and vulnerable First Nations poetry about love, loss, queerness and selfhood.

[Chanel Chapters]

Tumblr-esque poetry mostly focused on romantic relationships but my fave were about the grief of losing a parent.
Liked the addition of illustrations and photographs
Twas ok

[Marcus Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of boring set of poems. Only giving it a 2-star instead of 1 because the author mentions Winnie Blues.