If You Want Thunder

Discover the powerful and poignant themes in If You Want Thunder by Ruth Valentine, published in 2021. This compelling collection, spanning 80 pages, delves into the tragedies that shape our world, from the civil wars in Syria and Sudan to the harsh realities of knife crime in North London and the Iraq-Iran war. Valentine masterfully intertwines these global crises with personal grief, creating a tapestry of human experience.

At the heart of this collection lies an extraordinary alphabetical sequence dedicated to the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, shedding light on the societal failures that contributed to their fate. If You Want Thunder is not just a reflection on the morality of politics but also a profound exploration of mortality, remembrance, and the often indifferent nature of life. This book invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths while offering a hauntingly beautiful narrative that resonates deeply.