My darling from the lions

Rachel Long’s much-anticipated debut collection of poems, My Darling from the Lions, explores shame, love and healing through her intimate poetic voice. Shortlisted for the Rathbones Folio PrizeShortlisted for the Costa Poetry AwardShortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First CollectionShortlisted for the Jhalak Prize'An enchanting and heartwarming new voice in poetry.' – Bernardine Evaristo, author of Girl, Woman, OtherEach poem has a vivid story to tell – of family quirks, the perils of dating, the grip of religion or sexual awakening – stories that are, by turn, emotionally insightful, politically conscious, wise, funny and outrageous. Long reveals herself as a razor-sharp and original voice on the issues of sexual politics and cultural inheritance that polarize our current moment.

But it's her refreshing commitment to the power of the individual poem that will leave the reader turning each page in eager anticipation: here is an immediate, wide-awake poetry that entertains royally, without sacrificing a note of its urgency or remarkable skill. 'This debut collection is the modern poetry we need to read right now' – Stylist'Beautiful.

I'm so glad it was written.' – Hollie McNish, author of Nobody Told Me