The year is 2016 and Luke Kennard finds himself estranged from his family, his publisher and his faith. With the help of his Community Psychiatric Nurse, who claims to be the living embodiment of Cain - the first murderer - the poet changes his name to Father K and searches for answers - in his childhood, in poetry, in alcohol, and in a notorious, long-running DVD box-set.
Tricksy, acerbic and laugh-out-loud funny, Cain is the dazzling new collection from Next Generation Poet Luke Kennard. In a series of animated conversations, Cain provides therapy sessions for the author, covering everything from interfaith dialogue and genealogy to zombies.
Cains central sequence of 31 anagram poems re-energises Genesis 4:9-12. Published in a beautifully designed hardback that recalls the Missal or prayer-book, Cain is a whip-smart and illuminating collection from one of British poetry’s brightest lights.
