Lazarus Poems

The book "The Arrivants" by Kamau Brathwaite is a mystical masterpiece that explores the theme of the afterlife, featuring a series of poems on Cultural Lynching and the speaker's experiences with appropriation, theft, isolation, and exploitation. The poems are filled with longing, rage, nostalgia, impotence, wisdom, and love, expressing the speaker's pain and outrage in a tonally and typographically frenetic style. Brathwaite is a poet of undeniable stature, and this book marks the final poems of his career.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 136 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2021
Publisher: University Press of New England

This remarkable book by the renowned Barbadian poet Kamau Brathwaite stands as a testament to his unique artistic vision, imbued with a sense of mysticism and enchantment. With a bold and audacious spirit, it showcases a remarkable blend of ornery bravura and poetic prowess. Tonally and typographically frenetic, reminiscent of the sycorax video style that has defined his artistic journey for decades, the work delves into a profound and contemplative theme that resonates with a great poet in the twilight of his career: the realm of the afterlife. Brathwaite embarks on a spiritual and aesthetic exploration, employing his poetry as a guiding compass, leading us through the intricacies of the human experience.

At the heart of this literary masterpiece lies a series of poems that vividly portray the speaker's encounters with what he refers to as Cultural Lynching. These poems delve into the themes of appropriation, theft, isolation, and exploitation, all within the framework of an American hegemony that exacerbates the racial politics and ageism underlying the events depicted. The speaker's pain and outrage are palpable, as they navigate through a labyrinth of emotions, including longing, rage, nostalgia, impotence, wisdom, and love.

This book is a profound and moving testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human condition. It evokes a range of emotions, leaving readers deeply contemplative and profoundly affected. With its rich imagery, evocative language, and profound insights, it serves as a testament to Brathwaite's undeniable stature as a poet, and his ability to craft works that resonate with audiences on a profound level.

Weight: 284g
Dimension: 178 x 209 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780819580177