What I Learned from Johnny Bevan

by Luke Wright

What I Learned From Johnny Bevan is a politically charged modern epic by celebrated poet Luke Wright. Written in electrifying verse, this is a story of friendship, class ceilings and the battle for the soul of the Left. At university the mercurial Johnny Bevan saves Nick, smashing his comfortable middle class bubble and firing him up about politics, music and books. Twenty years later, as their youthful dreams disintegrate alongside the social justice they hoped for, can Nick, now a jaded music journalist, save Johnny from himself? Winner of a prestigious Fringe First Award, What I Learned from Johnny strikes at the heart of a divided Britain with wit, compassion and laser precision.

Genres: Poetry

64 pages, Paperback

Published February 24, 2016

Reviews

[Katie Lumsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read - complex, politically fascinating and really powerful.

[Isla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll put this out there right off: I am not a poetry person.

BUT

I saw Wright perform this modern epic of a poem live, and it was spell-binding.
Very powerful, and so evocative of the time it is set. Full of hope and anger and despair, it has stuck with me.

"What I Learned from Johnny Bevan" is an absorbing read, but is absolutely electrifying live. If you can manage to see Wright perform it, grab that opportunity with both hands.

[Seren Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic political discourse from Wright as always. I love his poetry and the way he crafts characters, but I would say that there are incredibly close parallels to be drawn from his books. It would be nice to see him approach the political landscape from a different perspective, and end it on a hopeful note. Overall though, amazing poetry and fantastic performance value too!

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was powerful.
A story told in verse.
Of two friends who meet at university then again years later
I read it in one sitting.
Inspiring, immersive
He's a performing poet
& this would have been amazing live... Definitely Recommend

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw this performed at Port Eliot this year - great writing and brilliant performer.

[Rebecca Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this, very funny, poignant and well written. I'd love to see it performed.

[Gretel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upping this to 5 stars, because I think about this book on a regular basis.