Love The Sinner

Love The Sinner is the second collection from poet and theatre-maker, Imogen Stirling. A fusion of poetry, theatre and electronic music, it will premiere as a stage show later in 2022.

sirens, shutters, smashed glass and traffic hums
itchy feet
twitching thumbs
the city thrums with unrest
turns a buzz of thought

The seven deadly sins are alive and kicking hard in contemporary Scotland.

Swooping from the mundane to the immense, Stirling’s long-form poetry weaves narratives of human experience. A loose alliance of extraordinary and unextraordinary characters struggle to comprehend their identities in a world bladed with criticism and obsessed with self-betterment. This story sees ancient roots clasp hands with modern compassion to explore human frailty, love and resilience, while the threat of ecological crisis rumbles in the background.   

Mirror and rallying cry both, Love The Sinner reflects on the meaning of being human today.

Imogen Stirling writes beautiful, wry but bell-clear truths. Each of her sins is a perfect creation, utterly recognisable but never a stereotype. (Kirstin Innes)

This collection demonstrates just how creative a thoughtful and intelligent poet can get with sin. I think this is the work of a lyrical genius. It is crafted by a great poet, and crafted with emotional depth. There’s nothing like this. There’s no one like Imogen. (Benjamin Zephaniah)

From one of Scotland’s ones to watch, cometh this delicious word crumble—well-seasoned in brass & bravura. As intriguing as it is accomplished. (Michael Pedersen)

Imogen Stirling is a voice of our generation and Love The Sinner a journey into the archetypes that lie dormant in each and every one of us. Honest, raw and beautiful it offers catharsis and empowerment. (Nightwave)

Her use of descriptive vivid language gels her to the page, while her blazing theatrical style is sure to stage further success for the viewer, offering a deeper layer, a more ferocious aesthetic. (Janette Ayachi)

A rich and other worldly book, a compelling work woven with gold threads of resistance and resilience, connection and human nature. (Salena Godden)