Ruth Valentine‘s new novel strikes Rosie Johnston as being both relentlessly true and beautifully told
Emma Lee picks out some highlights from the new collection by Ian House
Peter Daniels’ translations of poems by Vladislav Khodasevich would seem to tick all the boxes, says David Cooke
Fiona Sinclair explores the complexities of Angela Topping’s collection Paper Patterns which deals with profound emotion and also with the pleasantly domestic.
D A Prince admires the careful construction of John Greening‘s new collection To the War Poets and is pleased by the way it trusts the reader to look deeper into the subject-matter.
Robin Houghton’s new chapbook reminds Martin Noutch of the excitement and the challenge of moving into a new home
Merryn Williams is thankful that many poets remain unconvinced about the necessity of war and find compelling ways to say so in this new anthology
Anna Robinson praises the economy and lightness of touch at the heart of Geraldine Paine’s poetry
Thomas Ovans is impressed by Roger Owen’s absorbing and lucid introduction to the work of the Welsh dramatist Gwenlyn Parry
Rosie Johnston’s poetry is tightly structured but it still allows room for growth and movement, observes Emma Lee
Thomas Ovans discovers warm, positive and life-affirming poems in Heart Archives.
Allison McVety’s latest collection requires – but also rewards – the reader’s careful attention.
By Michael Bartholomew-Biggs • books, poetry reviews, Year 2014