Pique Ennui is C.L Phillip’s debut poetry collection. The anthology, released in early August of this year, is a collection of pieces inspired by lived experiences and the author’s personal struggles. At only twenty years of age, Chloe Richardson has become a published author despite many challenges in her youth. She agreed to speak with Keke about her writing process and the ideas behind the book.
The powerful anthology is split into two halves, symbolising a narrative move from past issues into the present. The themes in Pique Ennui are sometimes upsetting, and it is the advice of the author that readers should prepare for mentions of triggering subjects. Such subjects include sexual assault and eating disorders.
Richardson’s descriptive technique is unlike other poets’. The imagery is dark, often vulgar, and completely captivating. Throughout this, she retains a distinct self-awareness which allows for a deep connection between the reader and the subject of her writings.
She told Keke, “The entire anthology serves as a deconstruction of the glamorisation of trauma. Romanticised notions of the damsel in distress are forbidden here. Instead, you see that a woman scorned and the ashes that fall from her mouth cannot be pretty.”
Although hard-hitting, Pique Ennui stands as a reminder that despite traumatic experiences, people can live to tell the tale.
“This is not an instruction menu on how to recover,” Chloe stated.
Pique Ennui is one of those books that encourages you to devour it in one sitting. Richardson’s way with words is such that it will leave you with her poetry echoing in your head. Namely, her poem “versatile.” “Versatile,” which is situated in the first portion of the book, uncovers the gruesome way in which women are sexualised in society. Many of Richardson’s poems demonstrate feminist themes.
She told Keke, “I identify as a queer woman. However, it’s kind of unfortunate that my writing is shaped by my gender in society. But, it’s a man’s world and like writers before such as Virginia Woolf and Dorothy Parker, it’s female writing that exposes it.”
“I’m proud of [the poem] ‘Unlovely’. It’s a bit of an enigma to me now. I’m proud of the imagery – it’s ugly. And the reality is, eating disorders should not be pretty or glamorous.”
Chloe hopes that readers can find comfort in the honesty of her writings.
“Most of all I hope that they can find peace in realising they are not alone. And in turn, I thank them. Knowing someone out there has read it, makes me feel more seen than I ever have.”
When prompted for her advice to others who wish to have their writing published, Chloe said: “Be bold but authentic. It sounds scary, I know. But there’s nothing more powerful than the truth, so why not say it? In the more pragmatic way though, pay them with your words. Steer away from companies that in exchange for their promotion and expertise, ask to scrape out your bank account.”
Richardson has no current plans for future releases and is instead focusing on a “deeper expansion” into her childhood, delving into the effects of being a daughter of divorce, and a child in Post-Troubles Ireland.
Pique Ennui is available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes and Noble now.
