Was It for This

Three Poems by Hannah Sullivan won the T. S. Eliot Prize and the inaugural John Pollard International Poetry Prize. Her second collection, Was It for This, explores the ways we attempt to map our lives in space and time, as well as the wider collective experience of historic events and present disasters. The poems are written from the perspective of a new mother living a few streets away from Grenfell, and range from the terraces and precincts of seventies and eighties London to the late-at-night decks of American suburbs. The collection is rare, sympathetic, and exceptionally readable, with a memorialising strain in the forensic accumulation of detail and celebration of holding on to and cherishing what we can.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 04 January 2024
Publisher: Faber & Faber

Three Poems, Hannah Sullivan's debut collection, was a remarkable triumph, securing both the T. S. Eliot Prize and the inaugural John Pollard International Poetry Prize. This remarkable body of work takes up where its predecessor left off, delving deep into the intricate exploration of our human quest to navigate the complexities of space and time. However, Was It for This goes beyond individual experiences, addressing the broader collective realities we face, including the profound impact of historical events and contemporary crises.

The first poem in the collection, "Tenants," serves as an elegiac tribute to Grenfell, written from the unsettling vantage point of a new mother residing just a few streets away. Throughout the book, Sullivan skillfully weaves together intimate narratives that span various geographies, from the terraces and neighborhoods of London during the seventies and eighties to the late-night decks of American suburbs. These carefully crafted landscapes serve as touchstones, inviting readers to revisit and reexamine the places that have shaped our lives.

What sets Sullivan's poetry apart is her unwavering attention to the smallest and most ordinary details. From the slender concrete pillars of a flyover to the weathered feathers of an elderly peacock, nothing escapes her keen gaze. There is a melancholic strain in the meticulous accumulation of detail, a memorializing quality that pays homage to the lives lost and the memories left behind. Yet, amidst this elegiac tone, there is also a celebration of the resilience and beauty that can be found even in the most mundane of circumstances.

Was It for This is a testament to Sullivan's exceptional talent as a poet. Her work is characterized by a rare combination of empathy, specificity, and readability. With each line, she draws the reader into her world, offering a glimpse into the intricacies of human experience and the complexities of our existence. The book fulfils its own powerful desire on the page, leaving a lasting impression on those who encounter it.

Critical acclaim has been pouring in for Sullivan's poetry. Kate Kellaway, in her review for the Observer, hailed it as a " Poetry Book of the Month," praising its "tour de force" and its ability to fulfil its own powerful desire on the page. Martina Evans, writing for the Irish Times, described it as "exceptional in the specificity and candour with which it draws on autobiography and retrospection." Stephen Knight, in his review for the Literary Review, praised Sullivan's poetry for its "expertise in the art of self-revelation," noting its "candidness and emotional honesty."

In conclusion, Was It for This is a remarkable achievement in contemporary poetry. Hannah Sullivan's poetic vision is both intimate and expansive, capturing the essence of human experience and the complexities of our world. Through her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to evoke emotion, she offers readers a profound and thought-provoking journey through space and time. This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the power of poetry to capture the human condition and inspire reflection.

Weight: 142g
Dimension: 130 x 197 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571362288
Edition number: Main