Cain

Shortlisted for the International Dylan Thomas Prize 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. Cain's central sequence of 31 anagram poems re-energises Genesis 4:9-12, demonstrating the mastery of form and trademark surreal humour that has made Kennard one of British poetry's brightest lights. 'Endlessly inventive, bruisingly direct, and rich with a desperate, defensive humour. A stunning achievement.' - Joe Dunthorne