Truths & Reconciliation

Thomas Ovans reviews two new poetry anthologies from two small presses which tackle big themes.

The Hippocrates Book of the Heart

Thomas Ovans discovers that poetry and medicine can mix rather well in this handsome anthology from Hippocrates Press

Thomas Ovans looks at myth and reality as handled in a debut pamphlet from Kitty Coles

Thomas Ovans is surprised – but in a good way – by some subtle oddities in John Roe’s use of language

Thomas Ovans admires a poetic memoir by Naomi Foyle which celebrates the life of the Belfast writer and activist Mairtin Crawford

Thomas Ovans admires the fluency and versatility on show in Brian Docherty’s most recent collection

Thomas Ovans browses an ambitious anthology of poems inspired by the artist Stanley Spencer and finds that every picture may tell several stories

“Enjoyment” is a word that well describes Thomas Ovans’ reaction to Alan Brownjohn’s dystopian comedy set in the near future.

Thomas Ovans enthuses over a new (and overdue) collection from Donald Atkinson

Thomas Ovans investigates a Shoestring anthology edited by Merryn Williams which has received an unusual amount of attention for a poetry book.

Thomas Ovans recognizes the sweep and complexity of a first novel from Jane Kirwan

Thomas Ovans gets to grips with an intriguing novel by John Lucas which deals with a small-town jazz musician’s rather complicated love life.