Friday, January 08, 2010

Book Review from author, Stephen Earley Jordan ll



"Liquid Lunch" is a blues-inspired debut collection of poetry by Stephen Bess. Successfully sprinkling dialect of Black Americans, Bess covers topics such as spirituality, human relations, traditions, and how our lives intertwine with music.


Bess successfully tackles a male's sexual prowessness and how his 'old lady' handles him in "Here's the Situation". He states, "I just wish my 'old lady would cut me some slack / 'cause I just met this sweet, fine thing. . ." Bess cleverly challenges the reader with Black folklore in somber "Death Bells"--a highly effective, brilliantly repetitive poem detailing the connection between life and death. Poem "Sweet and Steady"--a definite read, and personal favorite--instantly pulls you in with the narrator's tongue-in-cheek, and appropriately teasing words.

"Liquid Lunch" is serious, humorous, and entertainingly completed with musicality. This collection captures Black South and, like the Blues, represents how Black Americans make the best out of uncomfortable situations. A definite must-read book. For a complementary book, I'd suggest Nikki Giovanni's "Blues: For All the Changes".



author of "Beyond Bougie" and "Cold, Black, and Hungry"

6 comments:

Rethabile said...

Yeah. Happy New Year, abuti Stephen. I wish you and all of us more great poetry.

Stephen A. Bess said...

kea leboha, Abuti. Here's to a year of great poetry.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Wow, only on Friday I picked up my copy and flicked through the pages again.

I enjoyed this review, it's added to appreciation of the way you use the language.

Happy 2010, Stephen, to you and Mrs. Bess and family.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

'added to my appreciation' I mean...

Mickle in NZ said...

Well done, Stephen. Lovely to read this post at the start of another year, a year full of hope.

Happy New Year to you and all your Family. Hope you had a very happy time in S.A. DO you understand cricket yet?

Caring love and huggles to you and your wonderful Wife,

Michelle and Zebbycat, xxx and purrrrumbles

Stephen A. Bess said...

Thanks, GG! Always a pleasure.

Michelle-
I have not learned cricket yet. There were not playing that game in the township. I'll have to look for it on my next trip. Thank you for your caring love and huggles. They make me feel nice and warm in the cold. :)

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