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First Impression: An explosion of bitter, vile, stark realities that make for tough reading.

Usually, I would express my gratitude at being gifted a free copy of an author’s work in exchange for an honest review. However, I can’t lie, the gratefulness isn’t there with this book and there is imagery I have read that still unpleasantly sits with me. This is one of those books where I will give you an objective opinion and leave you to make up your own mind about what you are reading.

When thinking of twisted tales, the Brothers Grimm is a household name that springs to mind – the use of kids’ common tales that are no longer for those same kids once they’re done. Not yet anyway!

Nursery Rhymes for the Illegitimate – Volume One by Niels Khan blows this notion out of the water. Taking nine children’s rhymes inclusive of This Old Man, Humpty Dumpty, and Mockingjay, the lyrics are twisted and melded from an adult perspective to recreate dismal realities of twisted adults they may never have really had a childhood, or just come a background of privilege that they cannot stand to witness anything different.

The foreword is one of those sections that are often overlooked in books, but this one is a must read. The author relays a special relationship from his youth where his love of creation, be it lemonade, drawings, stories, or poetry, is given meaning. What started as a game between two kids became something more poignant to friend, John Owym. With the competitive nature of the games, Owym continues to provide the inspiration for the author to excel. The foreword actually encloses a section written by Owym that shows off his eloquence and way of thinking, validating what the author has already begun to reference. The impression given is that at some point, Owym may have even contributed ideas to the poetry about to be explored.

I might stick my nose in but I won’t stick my neck out

On to the poetry…not for the closed minded wanting to escape to a utopia. The poems are littered with abuse, depression, violence, and treachery in much the way that a pessimist/realist may frame life. In many ways the lyrics bring to mind Eminem in his early days. Tough, hard, blunt delivery of uncomfortable subjects but with less cohesiveness.

i’ll do the hokey pokey, yell hocus pocus i’ll betray all my values and kill all my friends to get the gold at the end that’s what i’m all about

The author warns of graphic, explicit content. You would do well to heed this warning for several reasons. These references relate to sexual content and drugs as well as derogatory terms for people with disabilities, people of color, and the LGBTQ community. However, for those that care to progress, an open mind is needed to take the content in the context it is used within. The terminology used only adds to the overall tone that stems from the free verses that read like rants on the surface. However, on a deeper level, there is careful planning and consideration to either incorporate parts of a nursery rhyme and/or its tune into the poisonous narrative.

Trigger Warning: I will now share some of the most offensive language to come from this book that I saw no need for. These quotes relate to people with a neurological disability and people of color. You might want to stop reading here.

You embarrassed me like some retarded kid

It went further than I thought it would

I understand that certain terms are thrown around freely and that over time the meaning has changed. None-the-less, I think as artists we owe it to society to set a good example in the messages we deliver to the masses. With some careful consideration, I think less offensive language might have been applied whilst still exercising one’s will to convey a specific message.

we needed a little excitement why won’t that be you?

won’t you be my nigger?

As a woman of color, I found the final poem offensive. We are living in a time where the likes of Roald Dahl are being rewritten to make the language less offensive. For the record, I find this totally ridiculous and disrespectful. I’m sure the man would be turning in his grave to see his popular works desecrated. Yet there are writers that are using blatantly racist terms in the name of art without a second thought. At this point, I am quite turned off and cannot fathom why I continued reading.

A book for the older generation, the text is more likely to resonate with those that lived in a time when free speech really was free speech. It does carry negative connotations throughout and so is not recommended for anyone with a fragile disposition. It could be useful in understanding the thinking patterns of some of the vilest of mankind, but equally could sway impressionable young minds in the wrong direction. Read with caution. One thing’s for sure, there is no sitting on the fence with this book. You’ll either love it or hate it. It’s that divisive. To say that the book is crude and rude would be putting it mildly.

Quick Rating: ⭐ ⭐/ R

Have your say: I’ve made my feelings about offensive language quite clear, but this is just one view. Won’t you share your opinions with the Papergirl Community about the use of derogatory terms in the comments below?

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