Spiking The Sucker Punch

by Robbie Q. Telfer

In Spiking the Sucker Punch, Robbie Q. Telfer's first published collection, the author profiles the modern comedian from the inside out - starting with the innards and moving toward a damaged laughter.  His work blends surrealism and narrative, bending grammar and expectations along the way.  These pieces interrogate identity, place, and lead the reader to a much higher understanding of bears.

Genres: Poetry

91 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

Robbie Q. Telfer is the co-founder and curator for The Encyclopedia Show, a live literary variety show being staged independently in over 10 cities around the world. He's been in two documentaries (from HBO and Siskel and Jacobs) for his work at Young Chicago Authors where he organizes the world's largest teen poetry festival called Louder Than A Bomb. He's written on two video games, is the poetry correspondent for TimeOut Chicago, and in 2007 was an individual finalist at the National Poetry Slam. His first published book of poetry, Spiking the Sucker Punch, was released in 2009 from Write Bloody Publishing.

Reviews

[Ronnie Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robbie Q. Telfer is phenomenal. Never before have I torn through a book of poetry so fast, nor have I ever before encountered poems that make me laugh and still satisfy the critic in me. Telfer has mastered the art of telling the stories we all have, but try to forget. His poems will hollow you at times, but they will never abandon you. The lines carry you through the hardest parts of the hardest days before closing around you like a mama bear with her cubs. They hold you. They echo, sometimes for days. You owe it to yourself to read this book, and to leave it out for all the awkward scars to find.

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robbie Q. Telfer is f***ing hilarious! This guy is a bigger riot than "soccer" in England. His quirky sense of humor mixed with his genius word play makes for an enjoyable read for anyone. Don't be mistaken, however, Q-man has his softer, poetic side. In poem's like "Clown" and "Scars" the reader learns his genius is also the ability to express complex emotions everyone can relate to. MUST READ for anyone with eyes. First time poetry readers, you'll explode in joy.
Other good reads from the same publisher are Buddy Wakefield's Gentleman Practice and Derrick Brown's Scandalabra.

[Jason Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Robbie Q. Telfer’s Spiking the Sucker Punch, a slim, 96-page volume of poetry, is his second collection but first with Write Bloody Publishing. Armed with a clever title and fascinating cover, Telfer’s 2009 effort is a solid installment...."

Read the full review at decomP .

[Donald Armfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I missed something in the laughter this was suppose to bring. I read the lines a second time and just got one of those "meh" moments. Some of the lines gave me a good laugh but for the most part. BLAH!

-Mucous Hammock
-You Can't Spell Futility without Utility

are the only ones that I felt had a strong read to them.

[Georgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome collection of poetry from an undiscovered talent. If a punk/indie band had a companion poetry book they cited as inspiration, this would be it.