Syncopated Blue

by Ryan Hennessy, Megan Luddy (Illustrator)

Influenced by his father’s and grandfather’s poetry, Ryan Hennessy started writing poems as a young boy growing up in Co. Kildare. As lead singer of Picture This , Ryan’s songwriting reveals the unguarded spirit of a young man unafraid to wear his heart on his leopard-print sleeve.

In his first book of poetry, Ryan reveals his natural gifts of self-expression to cover topics such as love, relationships, growing up and identity. At once defiantly romantic and nakedly vulnerable, he deftly chips away at the barriers many young men build in self-defence as he explores the euphoria of young love and its subsequent heartbreak. With striking illustrations by Irish illustrator Megan Luddy, Syncopated Blue features over ninety relatable yet deeply intimate poems, resulting in an extraordinary collection that reflects the free spirit of its creator.

Genres: Poetry

144 pages, Hardcover

Published April 13, 2022

Reviews

[Janina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never not love his writing and I will probably never shut up about this book, poetry is just such a wonderful thing. 5⭐️

[Heather Dearie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me 35 minutes to read the whole thing because I couldn’t put it down. I haven’t read a poem since English in school but this collection of beautiful poetry is incredible and Ryan has such a wonderful way with words. Whoever inspired these is a very very lucky person.

Now I need him to do an audio book.

[Brigid · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is so bad it made me log back into my Good reads for the first time since 2015 to say how shit it is.
Please stop letting celebrities write poetry books because clearly, they suck at it. This book screams Instagram poetry from 2016 and the hashtag #i'm14andthisisdeep.
'i make you laugh
you make me cum'
Are you kidding me? What editor read that and thought "Yeah, that's literary gold right there!"
Jesus Christ this man is allergic to show not tell. I would have had more fun eating glass that's how bad this is. I feel so sorry for the illustrator, Megan Luddy, cause she is the only good thing about this book and her art wasted on such trash. And he needs to learn how to either use a comma or start a new paragraph, good Christ!
"This is his first book." - Please let it be his fucking LAST

[Aoife Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never not love Ryan’s writing as a fan of his music but this was so so stunning!! The raw real words are so beautiful and so relevant to the world today.
If you are a fan of poetry this is so good

[Siobhan Hennessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book amazing guy

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe I love poetry now?
This was so addictive and made me so emotional
Some of the poems felt a bit clunky or cringey but I appreciated the yearning

[Ahmed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this, it felt like he was trying too hard to be deep and poetic

[DonLou · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my new favourite things.
I love his music and wanted to support this venture not only for him but for the illustrator who is a friend of a friend.
It is a blend of modern poetry and also the more traditional form of poetry. It was an interesting breath of fresh air.
I did not expect to be so in love with it.
This was honest and beautiful and heartbreaking and I will be reading it again and again.
I am ready for whatever he decides to write next.

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some nice poems but the books not well rounded enough and very repetitive. It just feels like it’s not whole.
Also like 3 pages in he says “kissing her is like the world is ending, I guess you could call it apoca-lips” and I nearly put the book down

[Kylie Kleinhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book when I went to Ireland in 2022 because I wanted a book that had a connection to the country. It was a beautiful book, both physically and in the words. There were a couple of poems that I marked that I really liked. I really enjoy a good poetry book here and there.

[alicia♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

slightly basic at times but was also so raw and honest. made me feel a lot of things

[Clodagh · Rating 3 out of 5]

in love with Megan's beautiful illustrations!!

[Eimear · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a fair few poems that really jumped out and stuck with them, and a fair few more that I could relate to my own experiences. Overall a satisfying and well put together collection.

[Grey · Rating 3 out of 5]

i wanted to love this but simply don't feel like I clicked with it well enough, truthfully. I return to the queerest possible poetry to reorganize my brain :)

[Lina Malskies · Rating 1 out of 5]

Instagram poetry at its finest.
Also love as a theme for like 99% of the poems booooring

[Charley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got it recommended by a friend.

[Sarah Bonde · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning, raw collection of poetry — couldn’t put it down

[Hilda · Rating 3 out of 5]

great poems, but more like song lyrics and sometimes a bit shallow. but all in all a nice collection with some poems that stick with you.

[ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely lovely lovely. sat in the bookstore and read this in one go.