Chick

by Hannah Lowe

Hannah Lowe's first book of poems takes you on a journey round her father, a Chinese-black Jamaican migrant who disappeared at night to play cards or dice in London's old East End to support his family, an unstable and dangerous existence that took its toll on his physical and mental health. 'Chick' was his gambling nickname. A shadowy figure in her childhood, Chick was only half known to her until she entered the night world of the old man as a young woman. The name is the key to poems concerned with Chick's death, the secret history of his life in London, and her perceptions of him as a father. With London as their backdrop, Hannah Lowe's deeply personal narrative poems are often filmic in effect and brimming with sensory detail in their evocations of childhood and coming-of-age, love and loss of love, grief and regret. 'Chick opens with a powerful sequence of poems centred around the poet's memories of her Chinese/black Jamaican father -a complex, larger than life character who came to London in the late 40s and eked out a living as, among other things, a gambler. But the book is very much more than a personal reminiscence and family history. This is a collection cross-hatched with myth and history, a hymn to London as much as to its characters. Though all the poems have a strong, vividly cinematographic line, they are also beautifully lyrical -sung stories, offering us the glimpsed lives of strangers and lovers. But however poignant and moving it may be, the collection remains doggedly celebratory of life itself, of people and place, loved and remembered. Each poem takes us a little further into the mystery of lives in a world that is as incomprehensible as it is unforgettable. This is an outstanding, unputdownable first collection' -John Glenday. Shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection and the Fenton Aldeburgh First Collection Prize.

Genres: Poetry

89 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2013

About the author

Hannah Lowe is one of a generation of younger poets whose work celebrates the multicultural life of London and its environs in the eighties and nineties. She writes with a strong sense of place, voice, and emotional subtlety.

Lowe was born to an English mother and a Chinese/Jamaican father. She got her BA in American Literature at the University of Sussex, has a Masters degree in Refugee Studies, and is currently working towards a PhD in creative writing.

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice to read poems that take place in the world as you know it - not a feeling you get from the Faber list these days. Hurrah for Bloodaxe.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Hannah Lowe on the radio and was intrigued by her, and her poetry. The one she read ('Five Ways to Load a Dice') fascinated me. My husband sneakily noted the title and bought the book for my birthday.

For a debut collection, it's stunning. 'Chick' was the poet's father; a Chinese-Jamaican immigrant who made a living as a gambler/sharp (she said his saying was 'If you can't win straight, win crooked'). The poems are about him, but also about her childhood and her growing up, her companions and her environment. Her father is a constant presence in the collection - sometimes in the foreground, sometimes in the background, but always there.

Her voice is clear and fresh, her use of language haunting and vivid by turns.

I loved this collection and will keep an eye on this poet. I recommend it.

[Chloe Mackley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My school was immensely lucky to have had Hannah come in and read this to us. The experience was incredible. I hadn't heard any of her work before then but hearing it from her, for the first time, I found it beyond amazing.

Her poems explore so many personal thoughts and memories, and they're written in the way that kind of pulls you into them even more. They're play heavily on the sensory details and reading it makes you feel as though you're actually there, experiencing or witnessing the events that she's retelling.

I loved this!

[Jennifer Cochrane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of seeing Hannah Lowe perform in Liverpool. An outstanding performance that carries well onto the page - she has a refreshing clear voice and her use of vivid characterisation grabs your attention. I'm afraid once you read one poem you will find excuses to stay and read them all. Well worth buying this book!

[Sasha Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is sad but well written. I really liked these poems the best:
B-Boy Summer
Artisan Du Chocolat, Borough Market
What I Think About When I'm Swimming
Three Treasures
Birds in the Blue Night
Man Can Cook

[Barton Young]

This was a great book. The best debut I've read in ages. Will follow this poet.

[Tôpher Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a marvellous collection about her father and growing up in a working class environment. This is the kind of subject that there should be more of in poetry and these poems sing it all so well, I loved this book.

[cia... · Rating 4 out of 5]

i like the way hannah talks about light a lot
bangers: dance class, early morning swim, house painting, reggae story, what i think about when I’m swimming

[Mark Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good debut

[Lily Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly adored Hannah Lowe, I met in my first semester of second year at LJMU when she ran a poetry seminar and she is honestly amazing.
Her poetry is sublime and a must read!