Kay - The Adoption Papers

JACKIE KAY
THE ADOPTION PAPERS Forward Prize for Best First Collection Jackie Kay tells the story of a black girls adoption by a white Scottish couple from three different viewpoints: the mother, the birth mother and the daughter. This unique and honest volume of poems has been adapted for radio. Also included in the book are new poems reflecting issues of sexuality, Scottishness and being working-class Spare Rib Jackie Kay has been gathering a reputation for a few years as an outstanding young talent in British poetry and playwriting The Adoption Papers could well become a key work of feminism in actiona wonderfully spirited, tender and crafted contribution to Scottish writing, to black writing, and to the poetry of our time. It is a work of the utmost generosity and truth ALASTAIR NIVEN, Poetry Review These are brave, honest, unsentimental poems Kays poetry can be loud with pain and rage, but sometimes its as though she whispers too, entering dreams, allowing herself a delicate imagery This book is full of fresh, remarkable poetry; its rhythms sing from the page, demanding to be heard ELIZABETH BURNS, The Scotsman Warm, tough, painful and often very funny poems FLEUR ADCOCK, Sunday Times Cover photograph: Human chromosomes (CNRI / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY) For my mother, Helen Kay