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”
Category: Reading
“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”
“A Watchful Astronomy”
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”
“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”
“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”
“An English Guide to Birdwatching”
It is very rare these days that I am blown away by the opening of a book. However, the first chapter of Nicholas Royle's "An English Guide to Birdwatching" was, I thought, stunning. I was immediately drawing internal parallels with people like Graham Swift - and praise from me doesn't get much greater than that. … Continue reading “An English Guide to Birdwatching”
“The Man Who Walked Through Walls”
The problems with translations is, of course, that if what you read doesn't quite strike a chord then it's impossible to know if the source of this discomfort is the original work or the translation. Marcel Ayme's "The Man Who Walked Through Walls" (translated by Sophie Lewis) is a bit like that for me: discomfort. … Continue reading “The Man Who Walked Through Walls”
Ian Gouge - Writer 