High-Rise: Brutalist Poetry, edited by Alan Parry, is a groundbreaking anthology that delves into the stark, uncompromising aesthetic of Brutalism in the poetic form. Inspired by the architectural ethos of unadorned functionality and the human stories trapped within, this collection brings together some of the most striking voices in contemporary poetry. Each poem stands as a testament to survival, resilience, and the beauty found in harsh realities.
From the grit of inner-city high-rises to the fragile lives hidden behind concrete walls, High-Rise is a reflection on the physical and emotional landscapes shaped by modernist structures. These are poems of struggle and survival, capturing the grim truths of urban existence and humanity’s enduring fight against alienation.
Featuring over 30 contributors, including Wayne Russell, Paul Robert Mullen, Julie Stevens, and Lydia Unsworth, the collection spans themes of decay, defiance, and transformation. With pieces like The Heart is Murder, Trash Trucks and Fentanyl, and Cracks in the Concrete, the anthology embraces the unvarnished truth of the human condition in spaces both metaphorical and physical.
Key Features:
- A Celebration of Brutalist Influence: Poems that echo the stark beauty and utilitarian ethos of Brutalist architecture.
- Uncompromising Themes: Stories of hardship, hope, and humanity rendered with raw honesty.
- Diverse Voices: Contributions from renowned and emerging poets across the globe.
Why Read High-Rise: Brutalist Poetry?
This anthology is for readers who find beauty in the overlooked, meaning in the raw and unpolished, and resonance in the struggles of ordinary life. Whether you’re drawn to the architectural starkness of Brutalism or the emotional depth of poetry, High-Rise bridges the two worlds with a bold, unfiltered honesty that lingers long after the final page.
