Publisher's Synopsis
This is Kevin Higgins' first book of essays on poetry, the written word, and the wider world. Higgins is an enthusiastic advocate for the new generation of Irish poets emerging from a thriving live poetry scene. He is also a merciless opponent of hypocrisy and pretentiousness wherever he finds it - his political writing draws comparison with George Orwell, the subject of two extended essays here.
With subjects as diverse as socialism and neoconservatism, arts funding and the anti-war movement, Higgins informs, infuriates and entertains.
"There's an arresting phrase, a new angle on a writer or a political position you thought you already knew about, in just about every piece here…"
John Goodby
Kevin Higgins is a writing tutor in Galway, where he also co-organises the Over the Edge series of literary events. His first collection, The Boy With No Face (Salmon, 2005) was shortlisted for the 2006 Strong Award. It was followed by Time Gentlemen, Please (Salmon, 2008), a poem from which was featured in the Forward Book of Poetry 2009 (Faber, 2008); and Frightening New Furniture (Salmon, 2010). His work also features in the Bloodaxe anthology Identity Parade: New British & Irish Poets, edited by Roddy Lumsden (2010). Kevin has read his work at festivals across Ireland, the UK, the US and Australia.
