BOOK REVIEW
Fling, is the second offering from Adam Shove that I had the pleasure of reading to review. Upon opening the book, the dedication for Elle, the only woman he loved in Amsterdam, adds flavour for expectation on how the story will go.
The writing is raw with fantastic imagery and excellent details to piece the storyline together. There’s a lot of wit present that is truly captivating as his superb vocabulary expands the mind of the reader, especially seeing how his personality shines through.
Described as a short period of enjoyment or wild behaviour, while getting lost in the heat of the city for someone, the events are of a sexual content with poetry inspired by and set in Amsterdam.
There was a point where he talks about feeling lost in his own head producing poetry going on to describe how his lover reminded him to bring himself back into the moment in ‘Amsteldijk’.
Although it’s a short read over about 100 pages, there’s a good flow and pace that keeps the story for the amount the book has to offer with no loose ends.
Many parts are distasteful if it’s not content you’re used to reading. I appreciate the creativity and effort put into the collection overall being an engrossing read to finish in one sitting.
Adam Shove is an Estonian and English poet, who writes poems laden with cryptic metaphors and pop culture references; doused in vodka and thrift shop ideas. He is inspired by RZA, Frank Ocean, second hand clothes, models, tattoos, and expensive cars.
Words by Danielle Holian