PJ Harvey is publishing a book-length poem Orlam

Presenting a magical realist impression of the West Country.

PJ Harvey is publishing a book-length narrative poem, titled Orlam, via Picador Poetry this April.

Read more: An introduction to PJ Harvey in 10 records

Written in the Dorset dialect — with an accompanying English translation — Orlam presents a magical realist version of England’s West Country.

It tells the tale of a young girl who creates a “twin realm” in rural West Country. The poem explores themes of violence, sexual confusion, perversion, family, and love.

Notably, Orlam is one of the first full-length texts written in the Dorset dialect for decades, as Picador notes.

Pre-order Orlam here in advance of its 28th April release, and check out the cover below.

Photo by: Cédric Oberlin