Description

Book Synopsis

Kae Tempest is one of the most exciting and innovative performers to have emerged in spoken-word poetry in many years; their dramatic poem Brand New Ancients won the prestigious Ted Hughes Prize for innovation in poetry. Tempest’s wholly unique blend of street poetry, rap and storytelling - combined with the spellbinding delivery of an open-air revivalist - has won them legions of followers all over the UK. Tempest's remarkable stage presence is wholly audible in this poem, a spoken story written to be told with live music.

Brand New Ancients is the tale of two families and their intertwining lives, set against the background of the city and braided with classical myth. Here, Tempest shows how the old myths still live on in our everyday acts of violence, bravery, sacrifice and love - and that our lives make tales no less dramatic and powerful than those of the old gods.



Trade Review
breathe[s] new life into old classic forms . . . a long poem about us and the gods that's all high-kicking verve and long-range understanding. I loved its vision, powerful and merciful. -- Ali Smith, Books of the Year * Observer *

Brand New Ancients

    Product form

    A Paperback / softback by Kae Tempest

    £9.49

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    RRP £9.99 – you save £0.50 (5%)

    Order before 4pm on Tuesday for delivery by Thu 5 Nov 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Pan Macmillan
      Published 29 August 2013
      ISBN-13 9781447257684
      978-1447257684
      ISBN-10 1447257685
      Also in:
      Ancient Greek religion and mythology

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Kae Tempest is one of the most exciting and innovative performers to have emerged in spoken-word poetry in many years; their dramatic poem Brand New Ancients won the prestigious Ted Hughes Prize for innovation in poetry. Tempest’s wholly unique blend of street poetry, rap and storytelling - combined with the spellbinding delivery of an open-air revivalist - has won them legions of followers all over the UK. Tempest's remarkable stage presence is wholly audible in this poem, a spoken story written to be told with live music.

      Brand New Ancients is the tale of two families and their intertwining lives, set against the background of the city and braided with classical myth. Here, Tempest shows how the old myths still live on in our everyday acts of violence, bravery, sacrifice and love - and that our lives make tales no less dramatic and powerful than those of the old gods.



      Trade Review
      breathe[s] new life into old classic forms . . . a long poem about us and the gods that's all high-kicking verve and long-range understanding. I loved its vision, powerful and merciful. -- Ali Smith, Books of the Year * Observer *

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