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.
The films of Frederick Wiseman. Review by Alan Price. Why has it taken me so long to get round to watching the films of Frederick Wiseman? Well that’s because of their physical media inaccessibility and rare screenings in the cinema (those enticing clips on YouTube were never enough).
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
Hamnet. Review by Graham Buchan. It is said to be awards-worthy, but here are reasons why Hamnet is an exceptionally bad film.
European forests essay. By Stephanie Sears. Europe’s closest ally may be its forests: ”A culture is no better than its woods.” W.H.Auden
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
* LONDON GRIP NEW POETRY #55 – SPRING 2025 features poems by: *Maggie Wadey *Stephen Komarnyckyj *Marilyn Ricci *Denise Bundred *Sam Szanto *Anne Bailey *Clare Starling *Lisa Kelly *Jennifer Johnson *John Whitehouse *Mark McDonnell *Dmitry Blizniuk *Tony D’Arpino *Glenn Hubbard *Nicki Heinen *Anne Eyries *Josh Ekroy *Wendy Klein *Paul Stephenson *Norton Hodges *Ruth Lexton *Caleb Murdock *Barbara Barnes *Sally St Clair *Amy Jo Philip *David Floyd *Alison Campbell *Leo Smyth *Dominic Fisher *George Freek *Leona Gom *Alicia France *Janet Hatherley *Stuart Handysides […]
By Michael Bartholomew-Biggs • new poetry, poetry, year 2025