So Glad I'm Me - Softcover

Lumsden, Roddy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1780373708 ISBN 13: 9781780373706

Publisher: Bloodaxe Books, 2017

Synopsis

In his tenth collection, shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize 2017, Roddy Lumsden returns to some familiar themes: the trials of oneness versus twoness, the seduction of small calamities, and vice versa. And the everyday mysteries of running water, salt and sugar, and roller-skates. There are also many `conflation poems' where Lumsden has knocked the square peg of one subject through the round hole of another, often music-related. There are poems here about many songs and musicians, ranging from cult artists like Alex Chilton and Robin Holcomb to big names like Elvis and Morrissey. As ever, he relishes unusual words (nestlecock, twofer, farnesol) and interesting, taut forms, alongside a new strand of mid-length, discursive pieces in the spirit of Chicagoan poets Albert Goldbarth and Marianne Boruch.

About this title

About the Author:

Roddy Lumsden's first book Yeah Yeah Yeah (1997) was shortlisted for Forward and Saltire prizes. His second collection The Book of Love (2000), a Poetry Book Society Choice, was shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize. Mischief Night: New & Selected Poems (Bloodaxe Books, 2004) was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation. His latest collections are Third Wish Wasted (2009), Terrific Melancholy (2011), Not All Honey (2014), which was shortlisted for the Saltire Society's Scottish Poetry Book of the Year Award, and So Glad I'm Me (2017). His anthology Identity Parade: New British and Irish Poets was published by Bloodaxe Books in 2010. He is a freelance writer, specialising in quizzes and word puzzles, and has represented Scotland twice on BBC Radio 4's Round Britain Quiz. He has held several residencies, including ones with the City of Aberdeen, St Andrews Bay Hotel, and as "poet-in-residence" to the music industry when he co-wrote The Message, a book on poetry and pop music (Poetry Society, 1999). His other books include Vitamin Q: a temple of trivia, lists and curious words (Chambers Harrap, 2004). Born in St Andrews, he lived in Edinburgh for many years before moving to London.

Review:

'Not All Honey may not be all sweetness but it's all a delight to consume. Lumsden typically is tricksy and evasive, juggling, acrobatic. His professional portmanteau full of linguistic surprises. Yet, he has reached a kind of Dantean point in his poetic life which makes him suddenly offer devastating clarities that justify the fireworks.' - Saltire Scottish Poetry Book of the Year judging panel; 'This latest offering is a turning point in the poet's career - he has allowed himself vulnerability and authenticity whilst sacrificing none of the artistry and verbal dexterity upon which he has built his reputation.' - Phil Bowen, The Sutton Review; 'There is a level of talent that will ransom any project in any school. On the one hand, it will be interesting to see where Lumsden goes next; on the other, he's so good that it hardly matters.' - D.H. Tracy, Poetry

About this edition

• Publisher: Bloodaxe Books
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1780373708
• ISBN 13: 9781780373706
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 104