Jacob Davies presents his darkest, wittiest and most cynical collection of poetry yet with ‘The Dream Must Die’. In this emotionally diverse and thought-provoking anthology, Davies presents the light and dark aspects of modern life in a way only he can; showcasing emotions of euphoria to desperation, and all in between. In his new collection, Davies showcases themes of desperation, longing, nostalgia alongside societal pressures such as marriage and children. Typical of his work, Davies also delves into ideas of nostalgia and introspection with this collection, providing his melancholic and poignant reflections on the passage of time and loss. The speaker draws inspiration from people and places throughout, in poems such as ‘Hugs at the Station’ and ‘Quarry Hill’. He presents the intricacies of the human mind in ‘Dear Shauna’ and ‘Mother of the Accused’, and the complexity of relationships in ‘Your Wedding Day’ and ‘Engaged at Nineteen’, all through the medium of his distinctive delivery of rhythmic, bleak and unique verse.
