When their Dad abandoned them at a young age, two brothers were left with unanswered questions. Both different in nature, with Jack struggling and James affluent, they must join forces and try and heal their broken past.
What if something as simple as a connection held the answer?
Of the Past was a thoroughly enjoyable narrative poem book in which I enjoyed reading through every page. The story features two brothers; one down on his luck, and the other not so. The concept is reminiscent of the play Blood Brothers, in the fact of two polar opposites in terms of wealth and social class. That's where the comparisons end, as Of the Past is an original piece of fiction that stands on its own.
What I loved about this tale is not only Sophie's ability to craft each sentence with perfect rhythm, but also her ability to craft something deeper beneath the surface. There are many themes at play within the book which just highlight Sophie's talents as a writer. The previous book I read titled 'Stolen' had the same quality.
I was in the mood for some poetry again, and this tale was right up my street, and it did not disappoint. So, if you fancy some clever fictional poetry with a hint of psychological horror I highly recommend it.
When their father walked out, he left Jack and James with nothing but a void of unanswered questions. Watching their paths diverge is heartbreaking: Jack is drowning in the struggle of the everyday, while James has built a life of affluence that can’t quite hide his scars. Sophie Bowns has this incredible way of using narrative poetry to peel back those layers. I’ve always been a big fan of her work, but there’s something special about how she handles these two brothers. Her rhymes are as clever as ever, but the storytelling feels deeper here. It makes you wonder: if they could just find a way to truly connect, would that be enough to heal the past? It’s a fast, rhythmic, and deeply moving read that I couldn't put down. Another absolute win for her.
Such a great story with a lot of heart and extremely well written. Never been one for poetry, but I thought this was phenomenal. I loved the characters and the relationship between the brothers. One Line really stood out for me. "Stand in your power, and don't hold back." Powerful line and a powerful story.
"Of the Past" was a brisk read at times approaching a gallop. It was comfortable and accessible to a broad audience, almost immediately wrapping the reader in a familiar world that we can all relate to. A reader looking to be treated well by the passage of time would be in good hands with Sophie Downs.
I've been enjoying Sophie's poetry for some time now, and find it fascinating how she weaves together these story-poems so delightfully. The rhymes are pleasing and often make me smile, as they are so clever. This particular narrative poem follows two brothers with themes of belonging and is very character-driven, which is great!
I'm looking forward to Sophie's next project, whatever that might be!
I've enjoyed several of Sophie Bowns' works, and Of the Past is another great one. As a character-focused reader, I especially loved the characters and the relationship between the two brothers. It's a fast read that's smooth and engaging, and I recommend it for any fan of poetry and powerful stories.