It is difficult to know whether Carlos Rojas' translation of Yan Lianke's The Four Books is as long as it is because of the size of the original text. Or maybe there's a tradition in Chinese literature which embraces repetition. Perhaps it's unavoidable. For my taste however, The Four Books is about 50% longer than … Continue reading “The Four Books”
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“Agimat”
There is an awful lot to admire in Romalyn Ante's collection Agimat: some beautiful images, wonderful use of language, effective communication of emotion. She seems to treat all her subjects - even the difficult ones (and there are a few!) - with a kind of even-handed respect. And there is a haunting, lyrical quality about … Continue reading “Agimat”
Dismantling the wardrobe with a cucumber…
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“Even the Dogs”
I am a big fan of Jon McGregor's work, and even though it may take a little while to adapt to the style of Even the Dogs, the effort in doing so is rewarded. Even the Dogs offers a bleak insight into the world of drug addiction and poverty. McGregor pulls no punches here, yet … Continue reading “Even the Dogs”
“Writing to Gisella”
Writing to Gisella is one of three novellas included in my collection Losing Moby Dick. I have just published an extract from Writing to Gisella here. A second extract will be published next week.
“Signs, Music”
When unsure about a volume of poetry, I have now adopted the process of putting it aside for a while (1 or 2 months) and then go back to it. This is paying dividends, and Raymond Antrobus's Signs, Music is a case in point. Second time through I really liked it. The collection is full … Continue reading “Signs, Music”
November’s highlights…
"when you see anything of mine that you don’t like remember that I’m sincere in doing it and that I’m working toward something." - Ernest Hemingway A selection of links to recent posts from my Substack site. "Writing until the light goes out" "Writing until the light goes out" And a link to my new … Continue reading November’s highlights…
“Bluff”
The beginning of Danez Smith's "anti poetica" in Bluff starts "who cares how long i've spent with my poems" - and frankly, I don't. Many of these pieces are pure gimmickry; 'anti poetica' indeed. There is clearly a lot of rage and anger in Smith's work - and quite justifiably so - but when poets … Continue reading “Bluff”
“Baumgartner”
It strikes me that, were a creative writing tutor to use Paul Auster's Baumgartner as a sample text, they might tell you that it was a good example of how not to write a novel. The reasons? Firstly, masses of 'telling' rather than 'showing'; and secondly, enormously long sentences - sometimes half a page - … Continue reading “Baumgartner”
“The Keelie Hawk”
On one level, Kathleen Jamie's The Keelie Hawk is impossible to read - that is unless you happen to be fluent in Scots. Luckily on every verso page is an English 'translation' of the Scots poem, all of which meant I could only read the translations and not the original poems. Given the musicality of … Continue reading “The Keelie Hawk”
Ian Gouge - Writer 