Reviews

Reviewed for Poetry New Zealand Yearbook 2019, published in 2019:  In his collection On Edge, Damian Ruth has complied poetry from years of writing and publishing. These poems are organised into three parts: part one, ‘On Edge’ (which we’ll come back to); part two, ‘A boy on a bicycle’; and part three, ‘Before the dead … Continue reading Book Review: On Edge, by Damian Ruth

Reviewed for Poetry New Zealand Yearbook 2019, published in 2019: The first 30 or so pages of Jenny Powell’s new collection, South D Poet Lorikeet, have the echo of a story. An etching of a life, from birth through girlhood into womanhood. At times ominous, at others lovely, I can’t tell you who she is. … Continue reading Book Review: South D Poet Lorikeet, by Jenny Powell

Reviewed for Booksellers NZ, first published on 6 November 2018 There are two things which I think make a great selected works collection and they are nothing to do with the metric foot or rhyme; they are much more prosaic. When I open a selected works of poetry I want to see initial publication information … Continue reading Book Review: poeta, by Cilla McQueen

Reviewed for Booksellers NZ, first published 18 September 2018 Coming To It is a collection of selected poems from throughout Sam Hunt’s career (though it also includes many new poems). To review a poet who’s been working for over 50 years, who’s so well known, who’s been recognised by the Prime Minister and the Queen … Continue reading Book Review: Coming to it, by Sam Hunt

Reviewed for Booksellers NZ, first published on 23 August 2018 Owen Marshall and Grahame Sydney have come together in poetry and photography for this collection, View From The South, which is a beautiful, hardcover, small coffee table book – in the best sense. Each page is roomy and the poetry and photography often work in … Continue reading Book Review: View from the South, by Owen Marshall, with Grahame Sydney