Black Country by Liz Berry

Black Country

Liz Berry

A homage to the Black Country, this personal collection of poetry has grown organically from its West Midlands roots. An assortment of memories provide an intimate insight into various different characters, whilst the use of colloquial dialect lends an honesty and authenticity to each poem. Everyday lives are recounted with grit and realism and I was captivated by the personal voice resonating throughout.

Extract
Fancy tranklements for folk to hold the relics of their lives: an auburn curl, a babby’s fust milk tooth like a Victorian sea pearl, a gold ring, ticket stub, pinch of snuff, a folded cutting from the Birmingham Post about that lad who tumbled like a pigeon from the roof.
Parallels
  • The Rotters' Club by Jonathan Coe
  • Deep Field by Philip Gross