tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587090106923596284.post7859265592062243710..comments2023-04-20T18:18:11.438+01:00Comments on Gists & Piths: Searching for Closure - a Re-Review by Nathan ThompsonUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587090106923596284.post-17710511688063372142008-10-30T23:18:00.000+00:002008-10-30T23:18:00.000+00:00Review my own book? Now, what would Cyril Connolly...Review my own book? Now, what would Cyril Connolly have done in this position?<BR/><BR/>Hold on while I push this pram to one side ...Jane Hollandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15590668593487445482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587090106923596284.post-7098774506993236252008-10-25T14:13:00.000+01:002008-10-25T14:13:00.000+01:00Jane: Perhaps you should send us a review of your ...Jane: Perhaps you should send us a review of your own book then?<BR/><BR/>You're kind of a celebrity (one appearance on Start the Week is probably worth more cultural capital than getting voted out of the Big Brother house in week 2 these days). And you'd get to respond in advance to all the possible negative comments you can imagine people throwing at it/you.<BR/><BR/>It'd be like Eminem at the end of 8 Mile. Sort of.The Editorshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264669059410810775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587090106923596284.post-37642592859742154182008-10-24T10:44:00.000+01:002008-10-24T10:44:00.000+01:00Can I have a pre-review of Camper Van Blues, pleas...Can I have a <I>pre-review</I> of Camper Van Blues, please? As a pre-emptive strike against unfair reviewing, with the celebrity reviewer apologising in advance for the hatchet job he/she is planning to give my book.<BR/><BR/>And for the record, nobody worked with me on this new book, well-known or otherwise. (Pound wasn't available, much to my chagrin.) So, whatever happens, it's all my own fault.Jane Hollandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15590668593487445482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587090106923596284.post-15127008004243048592008-10-02T17:52:00.000+01:002008-10-02T17:52:00.000+01:00I too have had cnahges of heart, but not since I q...I too have had cnahges of heart, but not since I quit caffeine.<BR/><BR/>George, G&PThe Editorshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264669059410810775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587090106923596284.post-69434801592469273772008-10-01T20:47:00.000+01:002008-10-01T20:47:00.000+01:00It's great to see so many comments: what Gists and...It's great to see so many comments: what Gists and Piths clearly needs is more celebrity reviewers! Emily, in answer to your question, yes, I've had a lot of cnahges of heart, but they've sadly swung towards the negative, whereby writers I've once loved have gradually come to show their flaws and limitations. If enough people ask, I may name names, but for now I'm planning on being polite.<BR/><BR/>Roddy, I've not been reviewed enough to help you in your request, and both reviews in question were very favourable, so I've no complaints. Besides, I'm just grateful if anyone reads me at all, whether they like my work or not. I may change my tune when I'm older and more hardbitten, mind...<BR/><BR/>Simon, Gists and PithsThe Editorshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264669059410810775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587090106923596284.post-42726138040582659962008-09-28T03:58:00.000+01:002008-09-28T03:58:00.000+01:00Will all other poets who would like a re-review of...Will all other poets who would like a re-review of one of their books form an orderly queue here or hereabouts and name the reviewer in question!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587090106923596284.post-179462985340613492008-09-26T12:39:00.000+01:002008-09-26T12:39:00.000+01:00Hi Claire,As I say, I'm only sorry I didn't have t...Hi Claire,<BR/><BR/>As I say, I'm only sorry I didn't have the understanding to see your book's many great qualities the first time around and that I didn't give it the time and consideration it deserved. I don't really think I've done it justice here either, in terms of interpretation and detailed analysis. But it's one of those books you just have to read and re-read and I hope I've at least encouraged some people to do that.<BR/><BR/>It's very gracious of you to comment and I hope that the offence I may have caused by my earlier piece is alleviated at least a little.<BR/><BR/>I very much look forward to 'The Clockwork Gift' (a fantastic title by the way).<BR/><BR/>All best wishes,<BR/><BR/>NathanNathan Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12498002028194408666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587090106923596284.post-63049264498243745272008-09-25T14:07:00.000+01:002008-09-25T14:07:00.000+01:00Disappointed in Thompson's previous review of Stre...Disappointed in Thompson's previous review of Stretch of Closures, I'm impressed with his courage to post a re-review here. Post-Roddy, I worked closely with Claire on the new book, The Clockwork Gift, and can say it's an impressive step forward in her work.Carrie Etterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09617695047663413425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587090106923596284.post-48398939931449005462008-09-25T13:15:00.000+01:002008-09-25T13:15:00.000+01:00I must thank you Nathan for this rereview. I don't...I must thank you Nathan for this rereview. I don't think I've ever come across one before, certainly not of a first collection. I accept that my poetry rewards time given by a reader and I can only be grateful when any reader bothers. But, conversely, I want to write poetry that doesn't go away once it's read, that stays and displays more and more facets at the back of the reader's mind. I am deeply pleased that some of the poems did that job for you, Nathan, and it's admirable that you've spoken up. Thanks again.<BR/>ClaireAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587090106923596284.post-4741016376885856492008-09-25T09:13:00.000+01:002008-09-25T09:13:00.000+01:00I will also buy this book I think. I was wondering...I will also buy this book I think. <BR/><BR/>I was wondering, have the editors ever changed their minds in a big way about a poet/collection/poem? <BR/><BR/>Emily<BR/><BR/>P.S. I think I might have seen you on campus the other day Simon, in the arts centre, but my eyesight is really very bad and I never wear my glasses, so I wasn't sure. In which case, I'm sorry I did not say hello.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587090106923596284.post-41888976062020519112008-09-25T01:39:00.000+01:002008-09-25T01:39:00.000+01:00Claire is close to finishing her second book - whi...Claire is close to finishing her second book - which I've been pleased to have a preview of, and even do some work on. I think it's even better than the first. It's really interesting to speak to her about her compositional methods. She enjoys lacing layers of meaning into poems in a way that works - I often feel double meanings and ambiguities go over the heads of even very smart readers, but it's a strong facet of her work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6587090106923596284.post-55656384345335134492008-09-24T17:59:00.000+01:002008-09-24T17:59:00.000+01:00I think this is an excellent, humble and wise piec...I think this is an excellent, humble and wise piece. This is exactly what the internet should be providing - space not only for commentary, but also for commentary on commentary. Nice one!<BR/><BR/>It's also made me want this book. Which is one purpose, at least, of a positive review.<BR/><BR/>:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com