Flatrock

by Fran Lock

“Ms. Lock’s poetry speaks primarily to the feminist in all of us, even if some are not listening yet.” Fran Lock has been storming the London scene with her refreshing, gutsy poetry. Stunning, honest, stark, and somewhat unforgiving, Fran Lock's verse lingers in the mind and sheds new light on a modern woman's search for identity and meaning. “In a time where contemporary poetry is still seeped in traditionalism, Lock strides in and snaps open Flatrock's soul, breathes her life against paper and this is how it goes.” ~ Max Wallis Praise for Fran Lock “Fran Lock uses words as tools, or sometimes weapons, to aid her presonal journey of inner a brutal but strangely romantic journey that exults in the power of poetry to unlock imagery in minds and hearts. A fine addition to anyone's poetry collection.” ~ Joolz Denby “Fran Lock's poetry is electrifying.” ~ Paul Perry “Fran Lock is a talent to watch.” ~ Fiona Sampson “Ms. Lock’s poetry speaks primarily to the feminist in all of us, even if some are not listening yet... Flatrock is a very impressive first book by any standard. Ms. Lock fits into the mainstream of British authors who use realism (sometimes with neo-romantic flourishes) and social comment and work them hammer and tongs to create an exciting visceral experience for the reader. Ms. Lock’s wit is as sharp as her imagination, and this probably explains her success at the “open mike” readings that eventually precipitated the publication of this volume.” - Steven M Critelli, Against Interpretation Grab this debut collection from one of the UK’s most vibrant, feminist poets.

Genres: Poetry

98 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the single best example of confessional and experiential poetry I have read. Fran is unabashed, hard hitting and revealing with each word. This is, however, not simply a well written diary, it is a fine example of the heartbeat of the modern poet and poetry. There are stories, sometimes gut wrenching. There are politics, told in the voice of a poet who has been affected by the politics of the day. There is truth and love and life, written from the flesh and blood for all of those who cannot, will not or are afraid to respond to the environs. Fran leaves you no choice.

If you love poetry you need to read this book. If you wrote off poetry, you need to read this book. If you don't know anything about poetry, you need to read this book. There are lessons to be learned, and an emotional roller coaster waiting to be ridden in its pages.

Jack Varnell,
emotionalorphan.net

[Tôpher Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This strong first collection by the wonderful Fran lock is an intriguing and sometimes jaw dropping set of poems. While not quite so linguistically dexterous as her later books, it is still a jarringly honest first step of a poet on the way to being simply bloody brilliant.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book proves that poetry is as relevant today as it was hundreds of years ago! I will be on the lookout for more publications by Fran Lock. Highly recommend for those seeking poetry of modern times

[Denni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooops! I bought this thinking it was the next new Fran Lock volume of poetry (so when is that going to happen?), hadn't looked properly, and as I read it, though there are some wonderful poems here and some exceptional lines/groups of lines, I was feeling disappointed because it's not as totally brilliant (to my mind) as the amazing, amazing Pig Thief or the individual poems that I've read by Fran Lock over the last couple of years. And then I reached the end of the book and read the Little Episodes postscript which made me then turn back to the publication info at the front of the book to discover that it was published in 2011, very much earlier. Still very much worth reading--the opening pieces, Prologue White and Flatrock are very, very powerful, for example--and wonderful for me to be able to see (by accident!) how Fran Lock's poetry has developed.

[Stefan Michener Michener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quickly glanced at Fran Lock's promises and having "discovered" her on tumblr.com; I'm Mark Twain on his first visit to Calaveras County.