The Book of Blood
Vicki Feaver
This collection of poems draws the reader ever inwards. Fever’s dexterity at handling topics and mood, and her skill in creating voices that are nuanced and truthful is enviable and inspiring. The style is unpretentious and accessible, not one over-burdened with references or obscured by technique.
The reader explores with the poet in her process of self-examination, raising questions about what is shocking and what is natural. This in turn this raises more questions, which perhaps the reader somehow overlooks because they are presented as manifestly true in the world of the poem – the toad is in the basement – we are wrapped in Fever’s world. We are reminded that anyone, once pushed, can fall in the water.
Gabrielle Barnby
Orkney, 2016
Books by Gabrielle Barnby:
The Oystercatcher Girl – a beautifully understated story of deception and forgiveness, love and redemption.
The House with the Lilac Shutters and other stories – utterly original story-making of a very high quality.
