A Savage Turn

by Luke Patterson

A Savage Turn is a searing debut from a Gamilaroi author. Using his biting wit and refreshing insight into modern and traditional life, Luke Patterson takes readers to forest billabongs, to prisons, and into nightmares of the not so distant past.

Along the way, he sends up the Australian dream and subverts expectations to create a seductive poetry collection sampling from a kaleidoscope of critical theory, modernist poetry, postcolonial irony, eco-romanticism and western folklore.

Genres: Poetry

128 pages, Paperback

Published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[Saskia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the depth and range of this collection, Patterson expresses himself with such power and authenticity through so many forms and makes them all his own. I particularly liked the way he plays with structure and quoting/ recontextualising historical material. But when he writes of love and family and culture you feel the weight and strength in your body (unless it’s a silly one and then you feel the joy). Also really enjoyed the way he addresses the tension of writing about trauma for white consumption, trying to write poems that can be eco-poetry to get funding, etc. often really witty and a punch in a guts. (especially the line about composers in residence looking for new biomes to create in sent me ☠️) highly recommend !

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dreaming and weaving personal history and lexicon in language, cleverly crafted, deeply felt...marking.