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Brand New Ancients

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About this listen

Kate Tempest is one of the most exciting and innovative performers to have emerged in spoken-word poetry in many years; her dramatic poem Brand New Ancients won the prestigious Ted Hughes Prize for innovation in poetry. Tempest’s wholly unique blend of street poetry, rap and storytelling – combined with the spellbinding delivery of an open-air revivalist – has won her legions of followers all over the UK. Her remarkable stage presence is wholly audible in this poem, a spoken story written to be told with live music.

Brand New Ancients is the tale of two families and their intertwining lives, set against the background of the city and braided with classical myth. Here, Tempest shows how the old myths still live on in our everyday acts of violence, bravery, sacrifice and love – and that our lives make tales no less dramatic and powerful than those of the old gods.

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Critic reviews

breathe[s] new life into old classic forms . . . a long poem about us and the gods that's all high-kicking verve and long-range understanding. I loved its vision, powerful and merciful. (Ali Smith, Books of the Year)
All stars
Most relevant
Or in the car (without wine).
You'll have a mighty fine time.
My review rhymes.

Listen to this with some wine.

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Blown away by this. Fantastic work by Kate Tempest. Settle down to listen to this is one session, you won't regret it.

Wow, just...wow!

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This a fantastic book of modern life,first time listening to Kate Tempest,and she moved me and is making me think,what life really is.

Truly powerful

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Loved the words. Not so keen on the delivery which seemed to be aimed at a stage audience. Somewhat overdramatic, I felt. Will read the book instead.

Impressive work

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What did you like most about Brand New Ancients?

Spoken word for this generation
Listen to this and her album !

What does Kate Tempest bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Told as it was meant to be told

Current yet timeless

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