Artifice

by Lavinia Singer

Artifice, the debut poetry collection by Lavinia Singer, is an exploration of the art of making. Its poems celebrate the artistry of craftsmanship: how works relate to beauty, and how they might inspire or ensnare.

Genres: Poetry

72 pages, Paperback

Published March 8, 2023

Reviews

[⏺ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book – as a big fan of experimental writing, however, I think that the less experimental texts worked better in this case. Some really gorgeous lines, and a very well developed core concept that gave the collection a very distinctive personality.
Also an interesting way to work within ekphrasis, which is often a stale rhetorical device – kudos to that!

[Oliver Lewis]

Utterly gorgeous. Utterly gorgeous and wonderful.

[S P · Rating 4 out of 5]

from ‘Waxworks’
the wax, its shape
these candles
wick time
ideal portraits
turned effigies
masks to seal
the faces of the dead
receive, retain
forms of forms
work their way
counterfeit change
- incredible, still
to crave
a clean slate (17)

Hunter’s Moon, or the Werewulf
Skin on the ash tree
Fur in the wound
A reddening
The dart hits true

Girdle of monkshood
A breaking wheel
Harvest’s quick fellow
Outcast at dusk (61)

[Judea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so beautiful to experience, I’m so sad it’s over

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful writing