Review of The Last Words of Albion

[Rishaunda Lynnette Britton]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Last Words of Albion" by Joshua Ferdinand.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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In The Last Words of Albion, Joshua Ferdinand embarks on a poetic exploration of some of Britain's past, inviting us to reflect on those realities and the present condition of things. Presented in the form of haiku, the book looks into such incidents as the Great Fire and World War II and comments on such issues as unchecked human activities in nature and the consequent risk of environmental degradation.

Haiku is a form of poetry whereby the first and last lines contain five syllables and the second line contains seven syllables. There are other characteristics associated with this poetic form, such as its usual emphasis on issues related to nature and being able to convey deep messages in a few words. I was really impressed with the way the author used this poetic form to explore the book's thematic preoccupations.

First, I liked the symbolic, vivid, picturesque word choices, an example of which can be seen in this excerpt: "Bombs over England/Then the cities grow taller." Here, the word "bombs" represents an influential historical incident, and "the cities grow taller" paints a picture of the unfortunate loss and destruction it brought about. These word choices not only get us into critical thinking but also heighten the meaning and depth of the incident being discussed, all presented in a language less sensitive, making the whole thing a healthy exploration into our collective past and mistakes with a view to engineering some redemptive actions.

I observed that Ferdinand is very intentional with this writing. He has a great way of presenting his message, sparking the readers' thought and imagination, and crafting an engaging discourse. These are obvious in the placement of the same poem at the beginning and at the end of the book and in the author's punctuation choice in the penultimate poem. Furthermore, the poems are embellished with relevant poetic devices. Take, for instance, the attribution of the action of licking to the inanimate object "flame."

The illustrations were very rich and gave a raw visual representation of the themes. The paintings of Britain's rustic landscape and its condition following the era of industrialization were especially memorable. There is no complaint to report about this book. Considering the thought-provoking content, the advocacy for a safer and friendlier society, and the error-free text, I rate this book five out of five stars. The Last Words of Albion is recommended to readers aged nine to eleven. With some guidance, children below the age of nine will also find this book enlightening. I also think that adults who like haiku or poetry with impactful content will also enjoy it.

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The Last Words of Albion
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Enkay Favour]

Ferdinand’s use of haiku to explore into Britain’s history and environmental issues sounds both creative and impactful. The vivid imagery and symbolic language in his poetry appear to provoke deep reflection on past events and current challenges. I’m intrigued by how he blends historical moments with environmental advocacy, making this book a compelling read for those who appreciate meaningful poetry.

[Emmanuel Chima 3]

*The Last Words of Albion* by Joshua Ferdinand employs the haiku form to reflect on Britain's historical and environmental issues with vivid imagery and symbolism. Ferdinand's deliberate use of language and poetic devices enhances the exploration of themes like historical impact and environmental concerns. With engaging illustrations and thoughtful content, this book offers a poignant and accessible experience for both young readers and adults interested in impactful poetry.

[Juanita Godwin]

Your review beautifully captures the essence of using haiku to reflect on historical and environmental themes. The vivid imagery and the way you describe Ferdinand’s intentionality in crafting thought-provoking poetry make this book sound like a meaningful exploration of Britain’s past and its lessons for the present.

[Emmanuel olowolayemo]

In The Last Words of Albion, Joshua Ferdinand embarks on a poetic exploration of some of Britain's past, inviting us to reflect on those realities and the present condition of things. Presented in the form of haiku, the book looks into such incidents as the Great Fire and World War II and comments on such issues as unchecked human activities in nature and the consequent risk of environmental degradation.

Haiku is a form of poetry whereby the first and last lines contain five syllables and the second line contains seven syllables. There are other characteristics associated with this poetic form, such as its usual emphasis on issues related to nature and being able to convey deep messages in a few words. I was really impressed with the way the author used this poetic form to explore the book's thematic preoccupations.

First, I liked the symbolic, vivid, picturesque word choices, an example of which can be seen in this excerpt: "Bombs over England/Then the cities grow taller." Here, the word "bombs" represents an influential historical incident, and "the cities grow taller" paints a picture of the unfortunate loss and destruction it brought about. These word choices not only get us into critical thinking but also heighten the meaning and depth of the incident being discussed, all presented in a language less sensitive, making the whole thing a healthy exploration into our collective past and mistakes with a view to engineering some redemptive actions.

I observed that Ferdinand is very intentional with this writing. He has a great way of presenting his message, sparking the readers' thought and imagination, and crafting an engaging discourse. These are obvious in the placement of the same poem at the beginning and at the end of the book and in the author's punctuation choice in the penultimate poem. Furthermore, the poems are embellished with relevant poetic devices. Take, for instance, the attribution of the action of licking to the inanimate object "flame."

The illustrations were very rich and gave a raw visual representation of the themes. The paintings of Britain's rustic landscape and its condition following the era of industrialization were especially memorable. There is no complaint to report about this book. Considering the thought-provoking content, the advocacy for a safer and friendlier society, and the error-free text, I rate this book five out of five stars. The Last Words of Albion is recommended to readers aged nine to eleven. With some guidance, children below the age of nine will also find this book enlightening. I also think that adults who like haiku or poetry with impactful content will also enjoy it.