Simon Kinch's book is described on the cover as 'pleasingly melancholic' and 'part...love letter to Europe' - and to a degree this is true. The book is, to my taste, well written, and your attention is held well-enough to make it very easy to rattle through. And in part it is a homage to Europe … Continue reading “Two Sketches of Disjointed Happiness”
Category: Blog
Punctuations from History
My new volume of poetry, "Punctuations from History" is now at the printers and I'm waiting for my draft copy to arrive. It is currently slated to go on sale on February 5th. * I have decided to intersperse re-reading some favourite classics in between new fiction. Perhaps over forty years since I first read … Continue reading Punctuations from History
“Winter”
One of the most noticeable and effective stylistic devices Ali Smith uses can be seen when she's writing dialogue. She simplifies her writing in such a way - 1) by not using punctuation to distract the eye, and 2) by not using 'judgemental' adjectives to 'steer' the reader (i.e. there's no "she said angrily", or … Continue reading “Winter”
“Hello, your promise has been extracted”
Maybe I should just stop reading 'modern' poetry. Or should I say, "poetry". Because I'm afraid most of Ahren Warner's book simply doesn't at all fit with what I'd consider to be poetry. Some of it does - but a big chunk doesn't. The good / clever / stunning images that are present just get … Continue reading “Hello, your promise has been extracted”
“Elmet”
Another Booker-list cracker! If ever they make a film of Fiona Mozley's "Elmet", I hope they stick closely to the book. It won't be comfortable viewing - and the conclusion will be harrowing. In fact, the ending of the book is so well written... I hadn't planned to finish the book last night, but once … Continue reading “Elmet”
My Writing Year – A Short Review / Preview
Perhaps the best way to review the year just about to end is to call-out what has changed - not that this kind of self-indulgent looking-over-the-shoulder is the sort of thing I would regularly condone. Even annually... But in many respects it has been something of a wild ride this year. And having this site … Continue reading My Writing Year – A Short Review / Preview
“Weemoed”
Tim Dooley's collection, "Weemoed", offers a plethora of poetic styles and interpretations, some formal, most less so. There are some really crisp images littered throughout the volume, although some I think are occasionally let down by their stylistic content. The title poem is in a way a microcosm of the book. It moves from one … Continue reading “Weemoed”
“The Last Lesson of Mrs de Souza”
Perhaps I'm a little too romantic, but I went into this book expecting something profound like Robin William's 'carpe diem' and "The Dead Poet's Society". Unfortunately that wasn't what I got. The lesson in question here isn't really one for the students in Mrs de Souza's class, but for the teacher herself - and a … Continue reading “The Last Lesson of Mrs de Souza”
Coast
Coast Trace around its outline with great care, there is danger as well as beauty there. Go slowly, cautiously; try to picture postcard scenes of secluded coves, a deserted beach, the caves where smugglers hid and waited for the tide to reach. Pause again where once upon a time you ate greasy fish and chips … Continue reading Coast
“The Keeper of Lost Things”
It's my own fault. I admit it. I should have looked more carefully. I really should leave any book whose front cover endorsements come from magazines like "The Lady" and "Woman and Home" on the shelves. Not because the books themselves are no good, but its a bit like giving a Ristretto lover a full-fat … Continue reading “The Keeper of Lost Things”
Ian Gouge - Writer 