Poetry review – A SQUARE OF SUNLIGHT: Pat Edwards finds a refreshing acceptance of life’s ups and downs in Meg Cox’s poems
CALLED BACK: Neil Fulwood is impressed by John Hinshelwood’s CD of songs and instrumentals inspired by Emily Dickinson’s poems
Both artists celebrate the regenerative forces of nature to which we have been sensitised by months of lockdown and both exhibitions are a joyful celebration of a cautious reopening after a period of painful reflection.
NEVER HIT A WOMAN, EVEN WITH A FLOWER … Kate Ashton takes a close look at recent collections by Sasha Dugdale and Patricia McCarthy and considers how well they respond to the serious issues they address
Poetry review – GALLOPING HORSES: In spite of some of its difficult themes, Rennie Halstead finds that Setareh Ebrahimi’s first collection repays re-reading and reflection
Poetry review – THE LEADING QUESTION: John Williams admires Roger Elkin’s skill at making poetry from tragic events.
Poetry Review – WHAT IF?: Maxine Linnell gets to know June Hall through the honesty of her poetry
An “absurdly normal” love story and it admits the appalling truth that all love stories, not just the high romance of Romeo and Juliet, are essentially tragic: they end in loss and when Alzheimer’s strikes, the cruelty is exaggerated because a once charismatic personality disintegrates.
Poetry review – COPING STONES: Stephen Claughton enjoys some adroit wordplay and wit in Richie McCaffery’s new collection
Poetry review – IN CHARGE OF THE GUN: David Mitchell is intrigued by Graham Clifford’s poetic response to the strange times we live in
A study of political murders that destroyed Gladstone’s efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Irish problem.
DAY OF DAYS: Charles Rammelkamp admires a powerful fact-based novel by John Smolens about a school bombing in 1927
By Michael Bartholomew-Biggs • books, fiction, history, year 2021 • Tags: books, Charles Rammelkamp, history