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”
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“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”
“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”
“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”
Ian Gouge - Writer 