Routes

Rhiya Pau's debut collection, "Routes," explores the value of holding onto things through poetic experiments that blend academic and artistic elements. It chronicles the migratory histories of her ancestors and the conflicts of identity that arise from being part of the East African-Indian diaspora. The book is a work of humane intelligence, formal experiment, and linguistic verve, celebrating fifty years since her community arrived in the UK.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 84 pages
Publication date: 11 November 2022
Publisher: Arachne Press

In her debut collection, "Routes," Rhiya Pau explores the profound question of what truly holds value in our lives. Through a fusion of poetic experimentation that blends academic rigor with artistic flair, Pau delves into the complex characters and tender landscapes that shape our existence. The journey begins in Bas's kitchen in Sonia Gardens, where she savors the flavors of her homeland, and then takes us on a captivating voyage across the pink shores of Nakuru, where she encounters a painter on Lee High Road.

As Pau reflects on fifty years since her community arrived in the UK, she chronicles the migratory histories of her ancestors, unearthing the conflicts of identity that arise from being part of the East African-Indian diaspora. In this multilingual discourse, which showcases a vast range of formal styles, Pau engages in a daring exploration of language, narrative, and memory. She courageously navigates the collective fallibilities of language and culture to forge her own unique identity.

"Routes" is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring wisdom passed down through generations. It is a work of humane intelligence, a formal experiment, and linguistic verve, earning praise from esteemed figures such as Sarah Howe, Judge of the Eric Gregory Awards 2022. Through her poetic lens, Pau invites us to reflect on the values that guide us, the journeys we undertake, and the identities we create.

Dimension: 198 x 129 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913665715