Cocoon

by Russell Jones

A new full-length collection of poetry by Edinburgh-based writer & editor Russell Jones. This is a book about transformations and the worlds we create. Features comic poems illustrated by Sara Julia Campbell, Caroline Grebbell, Aimee Lockwood, Edward Ross & Mark Toner.

76 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2020

Reviews

[Callum McSorley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant collection of poetry combining fantasy, sci-fi, and folktales with childhood memories of first love and bereavement. Heartfelt, clever, and funny in a bitter-sweet way, Cocoon, in its most sublime moments, makes the ordinary magical and the magical ordinary.

There are layers to unfold here but Jones is not deliberately obscure for the sake of complexity. Every word feels as if it’s been chosen carefully and many of the poems deserve to be read aloud to get the full impression.

Beautiful illustrations bring out the words in vivid and playful fashion, which provided some the book’s highlights for me: ‘Apples for Grandma’ and ‘An Official Guide to Surviving the Apocalypse’, both wonderful!

[Jayant Kashyap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching majorly the notes of philosophy, humour and nostalgia, this new collection filled with a vast range of characters, while bleak, also emanates hope in its very own ways. And so, Cocoon deserves every bit of praise for all it slowly, gradually achieves page by page. It is a collection ready enough “to make a sound in a world of noise.”

[Caroline Hardaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much enjoyed collection that glitters between philosophy, modern wisdom, fantasy, and science fiction. I'd definitely recommend!

[Debbie Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is utterly beautiful - witty, clever, tender, moving. Some of the poems are also gorgeously illustrated. I loved it, every word and image.