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Every Awful Thing is a semi-autobiographical publication of poems and flash-fiction from the life of the author, S. E. Bourne. And within it, as the title suggests, is lots of heart-wrenching musings from her own childhood and early adult-hood.
It’s unlike any book I’ve read before, interspersed with poems and short stories, some in first person singular, some in omnipresent narration. All of them thought provoking and providing an insight into a life of poverty and wrought relationships They cast a grim, but nostalgic picture of her childhood, and a slightly rose-tinted spectacle reminisce of her early adult years.
The book itself is a strange juxtaposition, with the poetry not necessarily being more typical/traditional poetry – of the sort that has so many lines per stanza and rhyming couplets. It’s unlikely to win any awards, especially as ‘poetry snobs’ would undoubtedly be in control of awards. But for me, poetry isn’t just about correct grammar, structure and specific numbers – it’s about what speaks to the heart. And, these gritty, uncomfortable poems spoke to me. They dredged up emotive responses in me, had tears pricking the back of my eyes at the sheer rawness of them. That’s powerful poetry. Not a perfectly formed sonnet.
The short stories are slightly different, telling in more detail certain events that stood out to Bourne in her life. Whether they be tales of hitchhiking in Alaska and encountering a bear, or drunkenly trying to ride a horse like her father once had. All are interesting, filled with an array of the colourful characters she’s met as she travelled around North America and Mexico, and later from her time working many different jobs.
Although raw, rough edged and somewhat gritty, Every Awful Thing has at it’s soul a deep, moving, beating heart. It’s beautiful, in it’s uncooked state, revealing the hard edged exterior but warm, kind soul of Bourne. For someone who has seen so much, experienced such diversity and lived through it and come out thriving, she’s incredible. And someone who I hope is a kindred spirit.
S. A
I received a copy of Every Awful Thing directly from S. E. Bourne in exchange for a fair, honest review. You can purchase a copy of the book through clicking on it’s name. You can also read it for free on Kindle Unlimited.