Atmospheric. If we ignore the format for a moment, I have to say that Robin Robertson’s “The Long Take” is tremendously atmospheric. It paints a picture of post-war America – and the brutality of the D-Day landings of WW2 – brilliantly, weaving the two within the darkness of a Veteran’s internal struggles and the rebirth of America itself, especially LA. I thought it was great!
It’s marketed by Picador as poetry, but that’s questionable. The hardcover version is 256 pages long and, although visually it’s mainly set out as poetry, a lot of it reads like prose. However, the style is tighter because of the format, and the images come thick and fast.
It’s really narrative free verse – which is particularly interesting for me given my 1st June publication to come, “After the Rehearsals” (Coverstory books). My book is more ‘poetic’ I would argue, as it is divided into nominal poems whereas the Robertson book is not. But both do demonstrate (I hope!) that there is a middle-ground or hybrid between poetry and prose which can work really well.
If you’re looking for something different, try “The Long Take” – and “After the Rehearsals”, of course!
Ian Gouge - Writer 