Debbie: An Epic is a collection of poems written by Lisa Robertson. As much as it is a collection of different poems, they share certain values that provide the book with a flow that keeps the reader glued to it. Robertson stresses the idea of viewing the book as a single entity. The author explores life and art through a female perspective. Influenced by the male-dominated Virgil’s Aeneid, Debbie acts as an alternative that brings dominant female characters to life. The expressions in the poems are so deeply rooted in our way of life that some of them remain relevant to this day. While the poems are historical and slightly dated, they are nonetheless relatable in today’s political and social climate. The poems also exert intense emotion and intelligence as the author tackles controversial topics.
While the book is deeply rooted in a single topic, it’s not constrained by it as it finds innovative ways to express themselves. Robertson uses different poem techniques and visuals to get certain points across that are significant to the flow of the poetry. The female body is used to portray a sense of power and might. There are also moments of vulnerability as the author strives to show all sides of a woman. Romance plays a major role in sparking excitement both from the characters and the reader.
Robertson focuses on other forms of storytelling apart from poetry to attract the reader. She uses different languages back and forth to get her point across. Imagery and surrealism also facilitate this book to truly become an epic story. The poems are magical and astronomical. Even after finishing the poems, the ideas never stop coming. You truly never finish a poem from this book as it transcends beyond its pages.
