Probably the strongest pieces in Paul Deaton's "A Watchful Astronomy" are those that relate to his relationship with his father. Elsewhere there is the occasional crisp image, but overall I get the impression of someone with talent who is still trying to find their voice. Here and there one might feel evidence of trying too … Continue reading “A Watchful Astronomy”
Category: Blog
“All We Saw”
There are undoubtedly a few lovely images in Anne Michaels' "All We Saw". But - how can I put this? - there's also a lot of 'space'... Here is the contents of an entire page (from the title poem, which is spread over 10 pages): dear one That's it. Words fail me. And I'm probably … Continue reading “All We Saw”
“Away from the Welsh Speaking Sea”
Hamish Wilson's two great passions are probably literature and music, and within that a specific love for people like Dylan Thomas and John Lennon. It could be argued, of course, that Thomas' poetry fits both categories quite nicely. "Away from the Welsh Speaking Sea" was born from Wilson's visit to Thomas' childhood home in Swansea. … Continue reading “Away from the Welsh Speaking Sea”
Mentioning no names…
Spoiler alert: I don't often rant... Assuming modern poets wish their verse to be read - and by real, normal, human readers - it would be useful if some of them actually made such a thing possible... There seems to be a trend in some current poetry that - eschews punctuation; avoids capitalisation; inserts bizarre … Continue reading Mentioning no names…
“Autumn”
After a few pages of Ali Smith's Booker-nominated "Autumn" I began to wonder what I had let myself in for. I was, to put it mildly, a little unsure... However, I am so glad that I persevered. "Autumn" is simply ASTOUNDING... Wish I'd written it. Reading
“Joy”
I confess to have struggled with Sasha Dugdale's latest collection. The blurb praises the 'complex and not always easy range of voices', so maybe that's what did for me. It was, to be honest, difficult to see the long title poem as a 'poem'. It seemed part play, part prose, part something else. Not sure … Continue reading “Joy”
Quick update – 4th December 2017
Currently three projects on the go: A new volume of poetry - aiming for February 2018 publication by Coverstory books (see link below) A prose piece that is currently yet to finish morphing into its final format - may make it to publication late in 2018 A new collection of (linked) short stories - with … Continue reading Quick update – 4th December 2017
Writing Retreat – Day 4 (last)
In the end it was all just marvellous. Not just the writing, but the company, the "me time", the time to chill... And the interaction between us all, being able to spark and bounce ideas off one and other. The last evening was spent in a kind of 'performance': Amy's academic paper had moved further … Continue reading Writing Retreat – Day 4 (last)
“The Little Friend”
Donna Tartt's "The Goldfinch" is simply brilliant - and "The Secret History" and "The Little Friend" are not that far behind. If I have a criticism of "The Little Friend" it's really a banal one: it's a bit too long... The last chapter, where it really picks up the pace (and obviously builds on all … Continue reading “The Little Friend”
Writing Retreat – Day 3
Somehow I just knew the value of trying something like this would surface in multiple ways... On Wednesday I had a minor, innocuous encounter on a short walk from the house. During the evening 'reading' session, the conversation turned to what we write about, how those things manifest themselves, etcetera. And it was at that … Continue reading Writing Retreat – Day 3
Ian Gouge - Writer 