A HIGH CALLING: Paul McDonald enjoys discovering John Greening’s ideas on the how and why of writing poetry
books
Poetry review – A HISTORY OF WESTERN MUSIC: Rosie Johnston is impressed by August Kleinzahler’s skill at conveying the experience of listening to music
Poetry review – FOR THE DURATION: Jim Greenhalf finds much to admire in a new collection by Nicholas Bielby
Unseen Photography from the 19th Century. Review by Barbara Lewis. Belgium, which declared independence in 1830, became a forerunner in photographic identification and is home to the oldest preserved mugshots, dating from 1843. As well as using photography to catch criminals, Belgium led the way in putting the technique to arguably criminal uses, including pornography and the wider abuse of power, which sadly finds an echo in today’s AI image manipulation.
Poetry review – ALIGHTING IN TIME: Alwyn Marriage explores and enjoys the distinctive language and worldview in Lynne Wycherley’s new collection
ORWELL: THE NEW LIFE: Kevin Saving discusses D J Taylor’s new biography of George Orwell
Poetry review – WHATEVER YOU DO, JUST DON’T:Emma Storr finds Matthew Stewart ‘s collection both entertaining and thought-provoking
Worlds Apart. Review by Julia Pascal. This memoir is an astonishing chronicle of recent German history seen through the eyes of a girl born in the East and brought up in the West. Except that she was not brought up at all.
. Book review – HORACE — POET ON A VOLCANO: Kevin Saving considers Peter Stothard‘s study of the Roman poet
Poetry review – THE LUCK: Alex Josephy admires the craft and quiet humour in Jane Routh’s poem’s celebrating the importance of the natural world
Poetry review – ALEPH BET: Wendy Klein admires the poetry that Sue Rose can extract from her study of the Hebrew alphabet
Poetry review – LEGWORK: Nick Cooke reviews a multilayered new collection by Michael Vince
By Michael Bartholomew-Biggs • books, poetry reviews, year 2025