Moving to Delilah

by Catherine Owen

From award-winning poet Catherine Owen, a collection of poems about one woman's journey from BC to a new life in Alberta, where she buys an old house and creates a new meaning of home.

In search of stability and rootedness, in 2018 Catherine Owen moved from coastal Vancouver to prairie Edmonton. There, she purchased a house built more than one hundred years earlier: a home named Delilah.

Beginning from a space of grief that led to Owen's relocation, the poems in this collection inhabit the home, its present and its past. These poems share the stories of decades of renovations, the full lives of Delilah's previous inhabitants, and Owen's triumphs and failures in the ever-evolving garden. The poems ultimately whirl out in the concentric distances of the local neighbourhood and beyond—though one house can make a home, home encompasses so much more than one house.

In this exceptional and lyrical collection, Catherine Owen interrogates her need for economic itinerancy, traces the passage of time and the later phases of grief, and deepens her understanding of rootedness, both in place and in poetic forms.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

136 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2024

Reviews

[Liralen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As cities get more and more crowded and rents move ever higher, sometimes there's only one thing to do—evacuate to more affordable areas. That's just what Owens did: dreaming of a place of her own, she left Vancouver for Edmonton, moving into a century-old saltbox house. It surely would not, not now, or never, let you down. It surely would not, not now (or never?) let you down. (loc. 72*)

I appreciate (and understand) poetry best when it is rooted in the concrete, and in many ways Moving to Delilah is the epitome of that—a hunt for roots, for permanence, for a foundation.

Inside an empty cupboard we found the permit to build, its back scarred with tack marks, front bearing the contractor's name and a list of tasks to be checked off. None were. Or else the yellowed progression of time had swallowed the ticks that claimed the foundation (yes) had been finished or the frame (yes), the base (yes). We can see the evidence, the proof it was, yet the record is gone.

How much we rely
On the writing in the sand
Near a hungry sea. (loc. 170)

A mix of prose poetry and straight verse, Moving to Delilah chronicles those first years of home ownership and putting down roots, sometimes literally (gardening) and sometimes less so (digging into the history of the house and the land). It's an understated story—no big dramas, focused on rootedness rather than restlessness and permanence of place rather than more ephemeral emotions. A satisfying read.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.

[Sobi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine Owen's latest collection, "Moving to Delilah," showcases her exceptional command of form, imagery, and metaphor, as expected from such a seasoned poet. Divided into distinct sections such as "Prologues," "The House," "The Garden," and "The Neighbourhood," the tome unfolds like a tender love letter to her newfound home. Throughout the collection, Owen's tone is deeply intimate, inviting readers into her most personal moments. Despite my unfamiliarity with the locales she describes, Owen's vivid descriptions breathe life into every location and shared experience, transporting readers as if they were intimately acquainted with each setting. Her profound connections to the people she encounters are palpable, particularly evident in poems like "Mona's Pub, 118th Avenue," where she transforms her local haunt into a sanctuary where "the poison becomes the balm." Additionally, Owen's exploration of archives and historical headlines adds a captivating layer of depth to the collection, offering readers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of the city's past. While the garden section may verge on repetitive at times, one must consider Owen's novice status as a gardener, which lends an understandable charm to her descriptions. I found myself yearning for more poems centered around the house itself, yet the collection as a whole remains a compelling read. One notable aspect of "Moving to Delilah" is Owen's seemingly more relaxed voice, a departure from her previous works. While this shift may not align with my personal preferences, it undoubtedly broadens the appeal of the collection, making it accessible to a wider audience. Overall, "Moving to Delilah" stands as a testament to Owen's prowess as a poet and is a worthy addition to her oeuvre. Its eloquent verse and heartfelt reflections are sure to resonate with readers, making it a must-read for poetry enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks netgalley and freehand books for letting me review these arcs.

This collection of poetry is written after owens loses a partner and moves from british columbia to edmonton into a historic house, and makes it her home.

The poems are inargueably beautiful, and i like how they evolved like a relationship- the first flush of feeling to the comfort and stabiltu, and reflected the times they were written as owens moves through her grief and into a new love and into the world i.e. neighborhood.

What a lovely way to start national poetry month!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection. There was some poems I related to and some that left me confused and puzzled. I found it to be about 50/50 split between connection with poems and coming across poems that felt like random thoughts put together. I don’t think there is anything wrong with those types of poems, sometimes I think they can add to a collection. However with this collection, I found that it was harder for me to find enjoyment within the collection.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Catherine's home, Delilah, is in my neighbourhood and I walk by it frequently. (I also use her book box a lot).

These poems were about the neighbourhood, about building a home, about recovering from grief. This was a very rich book, and I loved that it took place in my neighbourhood. I've also had the privilege of being inside Delilah, so I could relate to that too. This was a beautiful and moving book. I was also impressed by the different forms of poetry Catherine used in this book.

[Allison Bettine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Employing an impressive variety of poetic formats and genres, Cathrine Owen romanticizes her relationship with her new house “Delilah” and the process of creating home. Serving as a memoir for both the author and the structure itself, I was compelled to foster a certain fondness for my house and gratitude for my own home’s history. Thank you to the author and NetGalley.

[Pamela Chaidez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I really liked the mood. I was melancholic and to me poetry that is melancholic really gets me. It was cohesive to read through and understand the passing of time. The healing and the new love for this new place. Some poems I liked more that others, but that is to be expected. I would love to read a collection of short essays or stories from this author.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.

[Kelsey Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A testament to the bittersweet nature of making homes; Owen's writing is vulnerable, personally relatable, and simply beautiful.