Thanks to everyone who came last Saturday. The consensus seemed to be that Paul Farley's The Dark Film was a good collection from a good poet, but one that probably wasn't going to be taken off the shelf for a second look. My, we're a tough bunch to please! Carol Ann Duffy's The Bees got the thumbs down last month - I wasn't there so I'm not sure exactly why. But we should be tough. This is exactly how it should be. And the poetry world does seem strangely content to wrap its 'big names' as well as its lesser known names in similarly extravagant - and often similarly cliched - plaudits. I truly don't believe the blurb on the backs of poetry collections any more. I can't help thinking that this indiscriminate 'talking up' is all to cover up an anxiety that there's not much new going on... or perhaps there's a genuine satisfaction with the predictable. Risk is risky in these troubled times. I hope I'm wrong, either way.
Rich
Rich