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The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah: The Autobiography
*BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week*
Benjamin Zephaniah, who has travelled the world for his art and his humanitarianism, now tells the one story that encompasses it the story of his life.
In the early 1980s when punks and Rastas were on the streets protesting about unemployment, homelessness and the National Front, Benjamin’s poetry could be heard at demonstrations, outside police stations and on the dance floor. His mission was to take poetry everywhere, and to popularise it by reaching people who didn’t read books. His poetry was political, musical, radical and relevant .
By the early 1990s, Benjamin had performed on every continent in the world (a feat which he achieved in only one year) and he hasn’t stopped performing and touring since. Nelson Mandela, after hearing Benjamin’s tribute to him while he was in prison, requested an introduction to the poet that grew into a lifelong relationship, inspiring Benjamin’s work with children in South Africa. Benjamin would also go on to be the first artist to record with The Wailers after the death of Bob Marley in a musical tribute to Nelson Mandela.
The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah is a truly extraordinary life story which celebrates the power of poetry and the importance of pushing boundaries with the arts.
Benjamin Zephaniah, who has travelled the world for his art and his humanitarianism, now tells the one story that encompasses it the story of his life.
In the early 1980s when punks and Rastas were on the streets protesting about unemployment, homelessness and the National Front, Benjamin’s poetry could be heard at demonstrations, outside police stations and on the dance floor. His mission was to take poetry everywhere, and to popularise it by reaching people who didn’t read books. His poetry was political, musical, radical and relevant .
By the early 1990s, Benjamin had performed on every continent in the world (a feat which he achieved in only one year) and he hasn’t stopped performing and touring since. Nelson Mandela, after hearing Benjamin’s tribute to him while he was in prison, requested an introduction to the poet that grew into a lifelong relationship, inspiring Benjamin’s work with children in South Africa. Benjamin would also go on to be the first artist to record with The Wailers after the death of Bob Marley in a musical tribute to Nelson Mandela.
The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah is a truly extraordinary life story which celebrates the power of poetry and the importance of pushing boundaries with the arts.
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2018
105 people are currently reading
1597 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin Zephaniah
78 books421 followersA British-Jamaican writer, dub poet and Rastafari. He was included in The Times list of Britain's top 50 post-war writers in 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
January 31, 2024
Jan 30, 530pm ~~ Review asap.
Jan 31, 11am ~~ I had never heard of Benjamin Zephaniah until I saw articles about him in the Guardian after he died. I wondered who he was and why there was such a huge outpouring of love and respect for him.
So I ordered two of his novels and this book. Read the novels first, was impressed and even more eager to read about his life.
As usual there is so much I want to say that I can barely say anything at all.
I am sorry I never knew about him earlier but I am glad I finally discovered him.
Many of us may have the same thoughts about issues but we are afraid to say anything.
He spoke his truth and worked very hard to live it as well.
Truly an inspiration.
Please find this book and discover Benjamin Zephaniah for yourself.
He may be gone but his truth will live forever.
Jan 31, 11am ~~ I had never heard of Benjamin Zephaniah until I saw articles about him in the Guardian after he died. I wondered who he was and why there was such a huge outpouring of love and respect for him.
So I ordered two of his novels and this book. Read the novels first, was impressed and even more eager to read about his life.
As usual there is so much I want to say that I can barely say anything at all.
I am sorry I never knew about him earlier but I am glad I finally discovered him.
Many of us may have the same thoughts about issues but we are afraid to say anything.
He spoke his truth and worked very hard to live it as well.
Truly an inspiration.
Please find this book and discover Benjamin Zephaniah for yourself.
He may be gone but his truth will live forever.
March 8, 2019
Is it OK to say that The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah: The Autobiography It felt like a snapshot of recent British history. was like a real life Forrest Gump? He was at so many moments of British/ World History, I feel privileged to have read his story.
What a fascinating and principled life.
I would definitely recommend.
What a fascinating and principled life.
I would definitely recommend.
January 31, 2024
The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah: The Autobiography is a really involving autobiography of an amazingly talented poet, musician, writer, and activist. It covers Zephaniah’s childhood, wild teenage years, how his career began, and his travels and political activism. I found it witty, insightful, and wide-ranging. He writes in a serious and considered way about the racism he has faced and political battles fought over the decades, while also making fun of them. His writing strikes a great balance between sincerity and joking, which makes the whole book very readable. Here are some examples. On power:
On travel:
On refusing an OBE in 2003:
I found The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah: The Autobiography interesting both as his personal story and for the background political history of 20th century Britain. I definitely want to further investigate Zephaniah’s poetry and other writing now.
The ability to get so many people to chant your words is a sort of power – a power one could easily manipulate. I’ve always loved watching those preachers in the United States that have churches like mini-empires, where it seems the audience doesn’t just worship God, it worships the preacher too. I don’t like them – actually I can’t stand them – but their followers are happy to give them their money, and in some extreme cases, their lives. It amazes me what people can do with a bit of charisma and a well-delivered promise of something better than this earthly existence. I’m astonished by such preachers’ ability to perform, even when they themselves don’t believe the ideas they preach.
When I stand on stage and tell the crowd to shout, or be silent, or ‘say after me’, and they do, I realise the power we have, even more so when they are connected with an idea I had one day when I was doing something as arbitrary as getting dressed. I’ve never thought of myself as someone with my own manifesto. I’ve never wanted to start a political party or launch my kind of movement. I want to inform people about what’s going on, and I don’t mind throwing in a few suggestions as to what can be done, but most of all I want to inspire people to think for themselves. Even if I say something in my poetry that I believe to be fact, I say it because I want them to think about it and not simply take my word for it. Power can easily be abused, but I’ve never been interested in that kind of power, or the abuse of it.
Having said all that, there was a time when, mainly to shock people (who needed shocking), I would say that I started a revolutionary movement called the IRA – the Independent Rasta Army.
On travel:
There is a common idea that when you go to a new country you can get a good feel for the place from taxi drivers, but I disagree; you get something from them, but it’s usually a very male-centric view. If I want to understand a country I talk to the women. Better still get to know the women. I have been to so many countries where the taxi drivers say, “Yeah, it’s great here, we’ve got freedom, we can do what we like”, and then you talk to the women and they tell the truth, “Oh no, we’re not allowed to do this, we’re not allowed to do that, and we have no freedom.” So I always say, talk to the women. In fact, I think you never really know a country until you’ve had sex in it and got arrested in it. If you’re on a quick visit, you could always have sex with the person who’s arresting you. But what do I know? This is only a theory, of course.
On refusing an OBE in 2003:
I say to anyone who accepts an award from the Queen and says it is ‘for their community’ – don’t keep the award, give it to the community. I knew what I did for my community, and I didn’t need a medal from the Queen to remind me. I hated the word ‘empire’, I hated the idea of empire, whether it was the Romans or the British or Christians or Muslims. In my little mind, anyone ruling over anybody else was wrong. And for those who would say that the Order of the British Empire doesn’t really have anything to do with the empire – and that it’s simply a word that’s been left attached to the award – I sat, if it’s just a word and not that important, then they can remove the word. But I still wouldn’t take it.
I found The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah: The Autobiography interesting both as his personal story and for the background political history of 20th century Britain. I definitely want to further investigate Zephaniah’s poetry and other writing now.
July 9, 2020
Benjamin Zephaniah has a special place in my heart.
I was bullied quite a lot at primary school; it was not a good one and it still affects me to this day, even though most of this occurred over a decade ago.
During this time i read a lot. My mum would alwayd send me to bed at 8pm. I would read for a long time whatever she had got from the library for hours on end. Quite often I would go to bed at 2am before waking up for school the next day. I much preferred reading to school.
I'm so glad i learned to read in high volumes from an early age, but there's only one author's books from that time which I look back to and still identify strongly with the message.
The books were Face, Refugee Boy, and Gangsta Rap, all by Benjamin Zephaniah. You could tell that the author got young people, and wanted to deliver a message through a narrative that wasn't patronising like most books for young adult are.
Zephaniah's autobiography is brilliant. I listened to it in the car during a long journey over the past couple of days, and i think him narrate his life really added to the experience. Zephaniah talks about his early life getting into trouble, his time at a workers co-op, the persistent police harassment and brutality throughout his life, his love of Kung Fu, his thoughts on uprisings (his name for what many call riots), his thoughts on non-violence (he says he agrees with the Malcolm X kind of non-violence, don't be violent to those who aren't beinv violent to you), why he doesnt eat animal products, his love for Tony Benn, his struggles with infertility (he says he has a "no sperm count" but its obvious this has been very tough for him), his solidarity with black south Africans during apartheid, with Palestinians, with Chaggos islanders, and with West Papuans.
There is so much to learn from this lovely fella I could write much more, seriously I admire his kind heart and how he sticks to his principles so much.
One thing id like to call attention to is how he talks about poetry. I've been very privileged to receive a high standard of education since primary school, although my English literature education was always pretty bad. The teachers never had much interesting to say, and at least half of what we were told to read I would say was rubbish, so I dropped English as soon as I could. Because of this, and my own lack of interest, I've never been very into poetry. Lots of my friends would speak passionately about Heaney and Elliot but i was switched off to it. Zephaniah's passion makes me want to get into poetry properly, and I'm sure he would see that as an achievement.
I was bullied quite a lot at primary school; it was not a good one and it still affects me to this day, even though most of this occurred over a decade ago.
During this time i read a lot. My mum would alwayd send me to bed at 8pm. I would read for a long time whatever she had got from the library for hours on end. Quite often I would go to bed at 2am before waking up for school the next day. I much preferred reading to school.
I'm so glad i learned to read in high volumes from an early age, but there's only one author's books from that time which I look back to and still identify strongly with the message.
The books were Face, Refugee Boy, and Gangsta Rap, all by Benjamin Zephaniah. You could tell that the author got young people, and wanted to deliver a message through a narrative that wasn't patronising like most books for young adult are.
Zephaniah's autobiography is brilliant. I listened to it in the car during a long journey over the past couple of days, and i think him narrate his life really added to the experience. Zephaniah talks about his early life getting into trouble, his time at a workers co-op, the persistent police harassment and brutality throughout his life, his love of Kung Fu, his thoughts on uprisings (his name for what many call riots), his thoughts on non-violence (he says he agrees with the Malcolm X kind of non-violence, don't be violent to those who aren't beinv violent to you), why he doesnt eat animal products, his love for Tony Benn, his struggles with infertility (he says he has a "no sperm count" but its obvious this has been very tough for him), his solidarity with black south Africans during apartheid, with Palestinians, with Chaggos islanders, and with West Papuans.
There is so much to learn from this lovely fella I could write much more, seriously I admire his kind heart and how he sticks to his principles so much.
One thing id like to call attention to is how he talks about poetry. I've been very privileged to receive a high standard of education since primary school, although my English literature education was always pretty bad. The teachers never had much interesting to say, and at least half of what we were told to read I would say was rubbish, so I dropped English as soon as I could. Because of this, and my own lack of interest, I've never been very into poetry. Lots of my friends would speak passionately about Heaney and Elliot but i was switched off to it. Zephaniah's passion makes me want to get into poetry properly, and I'm sure he would see that as an achievement.
December 11, 2022
(Listened) I thought this was really great. It's hard to write an autobiography review objectively when you like the author but I thought the writing was lyrical and captivating.
At first I thought he spoke flippantly about women (with the exception of those who impacted him deeply) but that seemed to change as the book went on. I was quite surprised that he didn't discuss his behaviour towards previous girlfriends more, given the amount of critical self reflection the book holds.
Overall though, I loved it. Something in Zephaniah's voice reminded me of my Grandad and his writing is welcoming so I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it and hearing about his life and politics. Makes me think I should give biographies more of a go because it felt nice, like getting to know someone.
At first I thought he spoke flippantly about women (with the exception of those who impacted him deeply) but that seemed to change as the book went on. I was quite surprised that he didn't discuss his behaviour towards previous girlfriends more, given the amount of critical self reflection the book holds.
Overall though, I loved it. Something in Zephaniah's voice reminded me of my Grandad and his writing is welcoming so I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it and hearing about his life and politics. Makes me think I should give biographies more of a go because it felt nice, like getting to know someone.
May 7, 2018
From BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week:
Benjamin Zephaniah reads his autobiography, beginning with his childhood growing up in Birmingham. It was a childhood coloured with love and violence, but it was also where his love of poetry first evolved - and his relationship with his parents went in two very different directions.
Written and read by Benjamin Zephaniah
Abridged by Sara Davies
Producer: Celia de Wolff
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b0...
Benjamin Zephaniah reads his autobiography, beginning with his childhood growing up in Birmingham. It was a childhood coloured with love and violence, but it was also where his love of poetry first evolved - and his relationship with his parents went in two very different directions.
Written and read by Benjamin Zephaniah
Abridged by Sara Davies
Producer: Celia de Wolff
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b0...
May 10, 2018
This book made me feel happy and angry and inspired to do something with both those emotions. Just bloody perfect.
January 23, 2024
So amazing, a truly revolutionary mind and spirit. Sad that such a light has gone out but he lives on through his work. Would recommend to all, feels like exactly what I needed to read at this point in my life.
July 14, 2018
Writing style etc was prob 4 star. Knocked one off for egocentric, offputting and thus, at times, a trifle boring content. He reminded me of an extremely diluted Morrissey. I did love Morrissey autobiography as it was so bad it made me laugh. I guess I expected more from this man. Love his poems, which I guess is the important thing, but although he gives glimpses of humility, I found that lacking a little. Positives? Easy to read, told me things I didn’t know about him, reminded me of places I lived when I was young( I recognised some of road names). Anyway not a bad book, just not for me.
April 4, 2021
From a life of crime, to a life of rhyme. It's not a book about redemption, it's a book about real life, real struggle and being real. Whether you agree with the Benjamin Zephaniah's world view or politics, you can't help but be captivated by the voice coming from the words off the page.
Key points for me:
1. A real page turner, (genuinely!)
2. Racism runs deep. (We don't even see it, or maybe I do and choose to ignore it)
3. The arts are powerful.
Key points for me:
1. A real page turner, (genuinely!)
2. Racism runs deep. (We don't even see it, or maybe I do and choose to ignore it)
3. The arts are powerful.
December 29, 2022
Rounded up from 3.5*
February 15, 2025
** my last Goodreads review!! Storygraph ftw @freyuhh **
A lyrical and reflective read, and it felt a privilege too. A poet and speaker of truth, BZ really did see the political as personal, and others' freedom his responsibility. His passing is such a loss but in this crazy world, his energy is ours to forward on!! ✨
A lyrical and reflective read, and it felt a privilege too. A poet and speaker of truth, BZ really did see the political as personal, and others' freedom his responsibility. His passing is such a loss but in this crazy world, his energy is ours to forward on!! ✨
February 14, 2020
I love Zephaniah’s poetry and spoken word, but the autobiography was oddly flat, almost like it was written by a ghost author, which I’m sure isn’t the case. I don’t think he did himself justice with this one. If I’d just read this book and didn’t already know his work, I’d find it hard to understand why he’d become such a big name. Anyway who cares? I’ll just stick to his poetry, podcasts and albums and continue to enjoy them.
May 28, 2020
Honest, unbelievably moving and beautifully written story of Benjamin’s life. Benjamin writes so honestly and his written style is just as he appears on TV or radio so his account feels so genuine. Benjamin’s life story covers so many of life’s issues and I was inspired by much of what he said in the book. Unlike many autobiographies, this one feels like fiction because I wanted to keep on reading and I was hooked by it. Truly enjoyable read.
January 24, 2024
Lovely. One of the main reasons for reading a biography is understanding that fiction and non-fiction aren't often that far apart in this strange world. Benjamin Zephanaiah has lived one of those strange lives. And only that would make this book worth reading.
September 7, 2024
Benjamin Zephaniah led many lives. He was a performance poet, a political activist, an ex-criminal, a pioneering vegan, and self - professed anarchist. There are so many important stories in this book, from his relationship with his father and his own inability to be a father, to his relationship with religion, Christianity and Rastafari. Even just hearing the account of someone of Jamaican heritage growing up in 60s/70s Britain is eye-opening in itself. I recommend listening to Zephaniah narrating the audiobook whilst reading along to it. He has a way of speaking that tricks you into thinking he’s reciting one (very) long but captivating poem. He’d be the first on the invite list to my dream dinner party. Nuff said.
February 5, 2024
I'm so glad I checked back in on the Benjamin Zephaniah of my childhood and found he had so much to teach me as an adult - about politics, and art, and solidarity, and about being a good human. <3
May 30, 2024
Fascinating in every way. Politics, philosophy, history and of course literature. What a loss
March 17, 2025
Audiobook
July 20, 2019
Interesting book (more life and times - not many rhymes unfortunately).
This probably provides a unique perspective of the social history of the UK in late 20th/early 21st century, for anyone interested in those times it's well worth the read. However, I'm not sure Benjamin Zephaniah particularly believed in this as a project or was convinced in the idea of an autobiography in the first place.
He admits that he needed to be persuaded to write it and that it's sort-of ghost written, which gives it the feel of a footballers' book (doesn't flow, occasionally contradictory, some tiresome bravado - it's hard to work out if he's proud or ashamed of some of the actions of his younger self). As he says himself, his poetry doesn't easily translate from "stage-to-page", so perhaps his life story doesn't either.
I'd recommend that this is mostly a scan rather than read sort of book - but the value for me was the inspiration to look up his performance poetry online, that's how he made his name and that's probably the best way to really appreciate him.
Really enjoy his performances - this book, unfortunately not so much.
This probably provides a unique perspective of the social history of the UK in late 20th/early 21st century, for anyone interested in those times it's well worth the read. However, I'm not sure Benjamin Zephaniah particularly believed in this as a project or was convinced in the idea of an autobiography in the first place.
He admits that he needed to be persuaded to write it and that it's sort-of ghost written, which gives it the feel of a footballers' book (doesn't flow, occasionally contradictory, some tiresome bravado - it's hard to work out if he's proud or ashamed of some of the actions of his younger self). As he says himself, his poetry doesn't easily translate from "stage-to-page", so perhaps his life story doesn't either.
I'd recommend that this is mostly a scan rather than read sort of book - but the value for me was the inspiration to look up his performance poetry online, that's how he made his name and that's probably the best way to really appreciate him.
Really enjoy his performances - this book, unfortunately not so much.
December 28, 2018
By any standard the most frank biography I've ever read. Indeed, even the euphemisticly described import activity of his youth would hardly rate as a subtefuge.
Now, admiration for his frankness doesn't mean that I either entirely like him, or agree with him. There are lots of occassions where I really don't agree but kudos to be brave enough to state his opinions without mollifying them so as not to offend, or pretending to views he doesn't have.
It is also an easy read and a good introduction to recent history from a Black History perspective. This would be an excellent book for someone who doesn't normally read biographies. Many Brexiters, especially Lexiters would benefit from reading this too. Although I fear right wingers would want to have Zephaniah arrested 20 times over.
That would be a shame as this is essentially a story of discovering yourself, living up to your principles and of redemption.
Now, admiration for his frankness doesn't mean that I either entirely like him, or agree with him. There are lots of occassions where I really don't agree but kudos to be brave enough to state his opinions without mollifying them so as not to offend, or pretending to views he doesn't have.
It is also an easy read and a good introduction to recent history from a Black History perspective. This would be an excellent book for someone who doesn't normally read biographies. Many Brexiters, especially Lexiters would benefit from reading this too. Although I fear right wingers would want to have Zephaniah arrested 20 times over.
That would be a shame as this is essentially a story of discovering yourself, living up to your principles and of redemption.
January 22, 2019
The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah. Struggled a bit with it and think it would be better experienced as an audiobook if he is the narrator. The latter third is excellent but I found that he’s not the most absorbing of writers when it comes to describing his early life. His prose doesn’t sparkle and fascinate anywhere near to the standard of his poetry. I’m not sure he ever really shows regret for the crime he committed in his early life. And despite his valuable achievements to human rights, politics and literature he comes across as quite arrogant at times. He’s an amazing man but this insight into his life didn’t really do much for me. 5/10.
April 29, 2022
A fantastic, lyrical telling of Benjamin Zephaniah’s life from his difficult upbringing in Birmingham and around the country to his fame as a performance poet.
A very real telling that is not self-serving and gives an insight into his mind and the lessons he has taken away from life. Something for everyone in here.
A very real telling that is not self-serving and gives an insight into his mind and the lessons he has taken away from life. Something for everyone in here.
August 4, 2018
"Poetry wrapped my heart when my heart was naked"
August 13, 2021
This review first appeared on my blog - https://nsfordwriter.com - on 23rd September 2020.
The autobiography of poet, musician and activist Benjamin Zephaniah is a brilliant read, written in a straightforward style with short chapters to keep you turning the pages. The book is roughly chronological, focusing on the significant events in his life.
What I really like is the honesty and self-belief which are evident in Benjamin Zephaniah’s words. He reflects on his successes, his anger, his failures. In his younger days, he led a life of crime and rather than being apologetic for this, shows a balanced view in the context of institutional racism and urban poverty. We follow his journey from gangster to renowned dub poet, to political activist and influencer, to published author and organic vegetable grower. The book ends with him dividing his time between China (where he visits the martial arts masters) and a Lincolnshire village, while contemplating Brexit and the then-current Prime Minister Theresa May.
Zephaniah’s book really demonstrates how much he’s achieved and how inspirational he is. Highlights of the book include his meeting with Nelson Mandela (who read Zephaniah’s poetry while in prison), his rejection of the OBE and the publication of his YA novels. It was also interesting to learn about his influences and friends. While there are some humorous moments in his autobiography, the majority of the content is serious and includes many examples of racism from the establishment, particularly his encounters with the police. He weaves the issues he’s passionate about into the narrative. You’re most likely to enjoy reading the book if you already know some of his work and if you share some of his beliefs but it’s an engaging read all the same.
The autobiography of poet, musician and activist Benjamin Zephaniah is a brilliant read, written in a straightforward style with short chapters to keep you turning the pages. The book is roughly chronological, focusing on the significant events in his life.
What I really like is the honesty and self-belief which are evident in Benjamin Zephaniah’s words. He reflects on his successes, his anger, his failures. In his younger days, he led a life of crime and rather than being apologetic for this, shows a balanced view in the context of institutional racism and urban poverty. We follow his journey from gangster to renowned dub poet, to political activist and influencer, to published author and organic vegetable grower. The book ends with him dividing his time between China (where he visits the martial arts masters) and a Lincolnshire village, while contemplating Brexit and the then-current Prime Minister Theresa May.
Zephaniah’s book really demonstrates how much he’s achieved and how inspirational he is. Highlights of the book include his meeting with Nelson Mandela (who read Zephaniah’s poetry while in prison), his rejection of the OBE and the publication of his YA novels. It was also interesting to learn about his influences and friends. While there are some humorous moments in his autobiography, the majority of the content is serious and includes many examples of racism from the establishment, particularly his encounters with the police. He weaves the issues he’s passionate about into the narrative. You’re most likely to enjoy reading the book if you already know some of his work and if you share some of his beliefs but it’s an engaging read all the same.
July 27, 2022
I listened to this as an audio book and thoroughly enjoyed Benjamin Zephaniah telling his autobiography (memoir) Thinking about it, there really could be no other option than to listen to him recount his story because Benjamin Zephaniah is (as we all know well) in fact a “performance poet” and his mastery of the spoken word has been a major factor in him getting people to think about the societal norms that the majority of us take for granted. His early life was one of poverty and trauma and he often found himself, because of the prejudice and racism of the time, on the wrong side of the law but his sheer tenacity got him through those times and from being a man with very little formal education, he has managed to teach our society to think a little differently and to see people as individuals, not as members of a certain group within society.
June 26, 2020
I will admit, I knew virtually nothing about the author or is work before reading this. The memoir itself was interesting and a tight well-written overview of an incredibly rich artistic and political life.
Having now listened to Zephaniah's music and read his poetry, this memoir feels like it would have been better served by being written about a smaller frame of Zephaniah's life. It would have made it feel less rushed with major life events glossed over. I felt like I learned more about him from the art he became famous for rather than this book on his life.
Having now listened to Zephaniah's music and read his poetry, this memoir feels like it would have been better served by being written about a smaller frame of Zephaniah's life. It would have made it feel less rushed with major life events glossed over. I felt like I learned more about him from the art he became famous for rather than this book on his life.
March 6, 2021
The entire book is narrated in Benjamin's true speaking style: the mix of poetry in prose was great to read. This man has lived through some of the most interesting crossroad points within Britain's history, from the race riots in the 80's, South Africa anti-apartheid movement to the miner's strikes - and he is always keen to give us his insight into these and how they're relevant to this day. Loved it!
May 12, 2024
What an incredible life!
I grew up reading Zephaniah’s books and poetry as a child, and even got the privilege of watching him perform with his band a few years ago. It must have been such a blessing to have known him personally.
This biography really highlights a beautiful human who dedicated his life to making the world a more just and peaceful place.
His is an amazing story and it’s so well written and honest. I think this book is such a in important read.
I grew up reading Zephaniah’s books and poetry as a child, and even got the privilege of watching him perform with his band a few years ago. It must have been such a blessing to have known him personally.
This biography really highlights a beautiful human who dedicated his life to making the world a more just and peaceful place.
His is an amazing story and it’s so well written and honest. I think this book is such a in important read.
November 12, 2022
Brilliant! My Mum used to read "Talking Turkeys" to me as a child and she'd tell me about the time he visited my sister's primary school in the 80s. I knew very little about Benjamin's life so I was intrigued to find out more... I really enjoyed the chapters about his family, school life and childhood. They made me laugh so much but also feel cold with disgust at the racism experienced. His biography is an inspiring read about harnessing your creativity, the importance of community and standing up for what you believe in! I really recommend the audio book as it is narrated by Benjamin himself and this brings it to life. I hope that one day I get to hear him perform live!
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