It's always a little tricky passing comment on books by people you know, and David is someone I enjoy working with regularly. His collection "The Stencil Room" is something of a geographical meandering evoking memories of many of the places he has visited. For me, having been to a nutmeg/mace factory in Grenada, the poem … Continue reading “The Stencil Room”
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“Lincoln in the Bardo” (1)
What kind of book is Booker winner "Lincoln in the Bardo"? It's certainly not a novel, not in the conventional sense. There is a story there, for sure, but in form it most closely resembles a play. So is it a play, then? Well no. In a play, you are told who is speaking before … Continue reading “Lincoln in the Bardo” (1)
Free book giveaway
I have some copies of my first collection of poems available in ebook format to give away. No hooks, no catches, no nasty follow-ups! I'd just like more people to read my work. Simple as. All I ask is that, if you take the book and like it, you consider entering a rating / review … Continue reading Free book giveaway
“A Passage to India”
"A Passage to India" is the reason I went to University to study English. I read it for my 'A' levels and was completely over-whelmed. I'd never come across anything like it before. Of course the language is all very dated now, and you might say that it hasn't aged well, but for me it … Continue reading “A Passage to India”
“Calling a Wolf a Wolf”
There's some really powerful stuff in Kaveh Akbar's "Calling a Wolf a Wolf" - and for once the back cover blurb hits some of the right notes: "powerful", "intimate", "agony", "torment". There's nothing bright and breezy in here! But some of the images - often just a line or two - jump out and grab … Continue reading “Calling a Wolf a Wolf”
The Beauty of Punctuation
This may sound a little weird, but recently I've come to appreciate the beauty of punctuation more than ever - especially when it comes to writing poetry. And I don't mean simply the use of standard punctuation - commas, semi-colons and the like - I also mean the absence of punctuation, the freedom to choose … Continue reading The Beauty of Punctuation
So where’s all the writing then..?
I am conscious that for a website that's supposed to be a writing showcase, I have published little new material here recently; most posts have been book reviews (of sorts). So here's another 'non-writing' post..! I just thought an update on all the creative action that's going on in the background might be of interest... … Continue reading So where’s all the writing then..?
I’ve no idea what this is…
Nearly two months ago I wrote these three lines, straight into a draft post, certain that something would come of them. I've revisited them several times since, always with the expectation that somehow they would 'take off' and lead me to a different outcome, a more comprehensive 'thing'. But nothing ever happens. Maybe they're meant … Continue reading I’ve no idea what this is…
“Homesick for Another World”
There is a particular kind of satisfaction you get from reading something that is really, really well written - and "Homesick for Another World" gives me that in spades. It's a superbly crafted collection of short stories in which Ottessa Moshfegh delivers a whole carnival of characters from the dark under-belly of modern society (mainly … Continue reading “Homesick for Another World”
Congregation at a Twitcher’s Sunset
Congregation at a Twitcher’s Sunset “They beat out rhythmic drum solos on hollow trees. They watch me, watching them. They watch me as spies would, always out of reach. “Some bring gifts. Gift-giving is their natural repertoire placing them where they can’t be missed. By my bed, a small wooden box, each compartment … Continue reading Congregation at a Twitcher’s Sunset
Ian Gouge - Writer 