Goldilocks on
CCTV by John Agard, illustrated
by Satoshi Kitamura (Walker Books)
PB RRP $ 16.95
ISBN 9781847804990
Reviewed by Anastasia
Gonis
Award winning playwright,
poet and children’s author (a few of his many talents), John Agard is an
overall performer of the written word; a master of language. This is reflected
in his new edition of poetry which follows his wicked The Young Inferno, which updates to modern, Dante’s magnificent
work.
In Goldilocks on CCTV, Agard transmogrifies in a surprising and
eloquent way, familiar childhood fairytales into rap, or hip hop rhythm, with a
new slant on each tale. He begins by stripping away the original framework of
the tale, to build a new one with the same basic equipment for modern verse
lovers. Imaginative mixes, wordplay, role reversal, imitation, and
re-evaluation of all you read in your childhood takes place here.
Totally magical and
creative, he brings the past into the now and assuredly will draw further on
the new audiences that are drawn to this modern style. This out-there verse is
perfect for performance when captured or spoken in the correct rhyme and rhythm.
The fantastic, bizarre and
inventive art/illustrations in black and white by Satoshi Kitamura, are shadows
to the clever lyrics/text.
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