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Glowing reviews for three translations, in Planet
Niall Griffiths, in the latest issue of Planet, out this month, has reviewed three Parthian novels in translation: Hana by Alena Mornštajnová (translated from Czech by Julia and Peter Sherwood), Insomnia by Alberts Bels (translated from Latvian by Jayde Will) and Exiles by Dónall Mac Amhlaigh (translated from Irish by Mícheál Ó hAodha). Describing Hana as "a shattering book", he goes on: "Mornštajnová knows howto highlight the specific details in which the Devil lurks: the pride in the neatness with which yellow stars are stitched to lapels is truly heartbreaking..." Turning to Insomnia, Griffiths dissects the power of the imagination...
Poetry London reviews How to Carry Fire
'Thatcher’s poems can be nostalgic and delicious in their visualisations…In these echoes of capturing, cradling, holding — Thatcher suggests that the speaker’s temptations aren’t drugs, or fire, but deeply-felt connections, touches, and caresses. There might never be enough.’ In their latest issue, Poetry London has given Christina Thatcher's second poetry collection, How to Carry Fire, a glowing review! In this perfect summing-up: 'Thatcher suggests that the speaker's temptations aren't drugs, or fire, but deeply-felt conections, touches, and caresses. There might never be enough.' they capture the burning heart of this fine collection. If you haven't read it yet, you can...
"... a fine, absorbing and wonderfully attentive book." Nation.Cymru reviews Riverwise
Riverwise: Meditations on Afon Teifi, by Jack Smylie Wild, has received its first review, and what a review! Jon Gower, reviewing the book in Nation.Cymru, describes Wild as "a joyful celebrant and patient observer of the river and its wide catchment and of the creatures that abide and abound there". "With this fine, absorbing and wonderfully attentive book, Jack Smylie Wild joins this roster of folk who know the river exceedingly well, and display that respect by the knowledge they have acquired, and their readiness to share it." You can read the full review here. And copies of Riverwise can...
'Created to Read' review 'Just So You Know'
In a book review for the Created to Read website, Rachel Carney delves deep into the different ways the contributors explore issues of identity through the range of essays offered in Just So You Know.
'The more I read, the more I began to ponder the whole notion of identity and its labels. Labels can be helpful, as I know from my own experience, but they can also be harmful.'
You can read the full review here.
Just So You Know is launched online on 30 July.
'The Road to Zarauz' is a 'tight, taut tale'
Nation.Cymru have reviewed Sam Adams's poignant coming-of-age novella, The Road to Zarauz, describing it as a 'tight, taut tale of four young men heading for a sojourn in Spain in the summer of 1954'.
'For the remaining three men who took the road to Zarauz, with its dark curtains of storm and endless sweep of beach, they know that this was the place where, indubitably, their youthful dreams had ended, shattered like Guernica.'
You can read the full review here.