No Ruined Stone

In her poems, Evie Shockley explores what might have happened if Robert Burns had been a plantation owner in Jamaica and his granddaughter had come to Scotland to claim a life reserved for white women. This collection reclaims the voices ignored, unsaid, and unclaimed due to colonialism, and is a memorable achievement.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 29 July 2021
Publisher: Peepal Tree Press

In her captivating poems, Evie Shockley vividly imagines the what-if scenarios that explore the potential life of Scotland's beloved Bard, Robert Burns, as he navigates the role of a plantation overseer in Jamaica. The poems then take a poignant turn as Shockley imagines the return of Burns' granddaughter, an enslaved woman, to Scotland, seeking the life that was reserved for white women. This collection is not only relevant in the present but also possesses a timeless quality, as it challenges the intricate genealogies shaped by colonialism. Through her powerful monologues, McCallum reclaims the voices that have been silenced, ignored, and unclaimed due to colonialism, offering a powerful testament to the resilience and creativity of marginalized communities.

Adrian Matejka, a renowned poet, praises this collection for its subtle and multi-layered verse narrative. The worlds presented in the poems evoke deep reflections on creativity, history, slavery, race, and a wide range of other important issues. Matejka considers it an exceptional work, a memorable achievement that leaves a lasting impact.

Mervyn Morris, another esteemed critic, praises McCallum's poetic craftsmanship. He describes the words as seemingly controlled, yet they carry echoes that resonate deeply. The poems maintain a double-entry account, creating a stripped-down and visually striking effect on the page. Morris highlights McCallum's ability to achieve an un-haunting effect, where the characters become more real than real and less imaginary than re-storied. He likens the work to the returning dead, whose presence demands a renewed sense of beginning and a refusal to be quenched or unhungered.

Vahni Capildeo, a celebrated poet and writer, offers her high praise for this collection. Capildeo describes the poems as "seemingly controlled words that surge with echoes," creating a haunting and evocative atmosphere. She emphasizes the realism of the characters, noting that they are more authentic than mere imaginings and less fictional than re-storied narratives. Capildeo likens the work to a powerful force that beckons us to start anew, to embrace the complexities of history and to seek a more inclusive and just world.

In conclusion, Evie Shockley's collection of poems, "What If That Almost Was: Imagining Robert Burns in Jamaica," is a remarkable work that delves into the complexities of colonialism, history, and identity. Through her evocative language and powerful storytelling, Shockley offers a fresh perspective on the life of Robert Burns and explores the untold stories of marginalized communities. This collection is not only relevant in the present but also possesses a timeless quality, challenging the genealogies created by colonialism and reclaiming the voices that have been silenced. Adrian Matejka, Mervyn Morris, and Vahni Capildeo are among the esteemed critics who have praised this exceptional work for its profound insights, poetic craftsmanship, and ability to evoke deep emotions and thought.

Weight: 122g
Dimension: 136 x 205 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781845235239