In some places Zoë Brigley’s collection “Hand & Skull” is remarkable. Indeed, in many of the pieces she manages to convey, with alacrity, what it means to be a woman – and what some men can represent to women, not all of it positive. I can’t recall reading a female poet who has put me as much ‘in her shoes’ as some of the poems here. ‘The Shave’ is awesome.
In fact there are many examples in here which, whilst in some cases I struggle a little with the style, the conveyance of meaning is bang on: women challenged by men, subjugated, threatened, women as mothers, giving birth…
I wasn’t sure at first, but there are some top drawer pieces in here.
I would recommend careful reading of “Hand & Skull” – especially if you are a man…
Ian Gouge - Writer 