A True & Just Record

Kate Bolton Bonnici's A True & Just Record combines poetry, feminist rhetorics, and early modern studies to explore the three-way crossroads of poetry, feminist rhetorics, and early modern studies. It interrogates, disrupts, and plays with archival materials from the English witch trials, 20th-century poets and philosophers, and her own family, creating a daring and gorgeous poetic conversation. The collection reveals that centuries-old writings remain relevant to our own historical moment.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 70 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: UEA Publishing Project

A True & Just Record by Kate Bolton Bonnici is a captivating exploration of the intersection of poetry, feminist rhetorics, and early modern studies. Through a meticulous weaving of archival materials from the English witch trials, 20th-century poets and philosophers, and her own family, Bonnici crafts a series of haunting poems that serve as both experimental scholarship and forms of artistic expression. These poems, filled with fury and care, delve into the complexities of absence and its haunting presence. They interrogate, disrupt, and play with the boundaries between form, utterance, accusation, exchange, and page, situated on the troubled edge of devilish societal inquisition.

In this remarkable collection, a multitude of stellar engagements delve spiritedly into the possibilities of sonic and visual presences that can be made of form, utterance, accusation, exchange, and page on the troubled edge of societal inquisition. The poets explore the ways in which poetry can forge critical and philosophical dialogue across time and space, creating a daring and gorgeous poetic conversation.

One of the standout features of A True & Just Record is its ability to reclaim the sacred and the profane, challenging traditional notions of morality and power. Bonnici's poetry treats witchcraft, magic, and the supernatural as tools for liberation and resistance, subverting the oppressive structures of society. Through her anarchic art, she reveals that the sacred is barbaric and the profane is holy, challenging the boundaries between the divine and the mundane.

Another remarkable aspect of this collection is its ability to reveal the relevance of centuries-old writings to our own historical moment. Bonnici's archival raids and saves bring to light the rich tapestry of historical narratives and experiences that have been overlooked or marginalized. By juxtaposing these ancient texts with contemporary concerns, Bonnici creates a sense of connection and empathy across time, reminding us of the shared human experiences and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.

The collection also showcases Bonnici's exceptional poetic craftsmanship. Her language is vivid, evocative, and deeply resonant, drawing the reader into the emotional and psychological depths of her characters. Bonnici's use of metaphor, imagery, and symbolism creates a rich tapestry of meaning that adds depth and complexity to her poems.

In conclusion, A True & Just Record by Kate Bolton Bonnici is a wicked and wise achievement. Through her meticulous exploration of the intersection of poetry, feminist rhetorics, and early modern studies, Bonnici creates a collection that is both challenging and inspiring. Her poetry serves as a testament to the power of art to reclaim the sacred, challenge oppressive structures, and forge critical and philosophical dialogue across time and space. This collection is a must-read for anyone who seeks to explore the boundaries of creativity and imagination, and to engage with the complexities of our shared human history.

Dimension: 198 x 129 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781915812179