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To a Fault
In this impressive debut, Nick Laird explores the sharp edge of relationships, from the intimacy of lovers to the brutality of political violence. Journeying between his native Ulster and his adopted London, he balances ideas of home and flight, the need for belonging and the need to remain outside. Formally deft, rhetorically fresh, these poems never shy from difficult choices, exploring cruelty and vengeance wherever they may be found: in love, in work and against political backdrops. But these are brave, resolute writings that resist despair at all times, affirming instead the need to rebuild and to right oneself, to dust down and carry on.
- GenresPoetry
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2005
1 person is currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Nick Laird
32 books110 followersNick Laird was born in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland in 1975. He read English Literature at Cambridge University, and then worked for several years as a lawyer specializing in international litigation.
He is the author of two novels, Utterly Monkey and Glover's Mistake, and two collections of poetry, To A Fault and On Purpose. A new volume of poetry, Go Giants, is forthcoming from Faber in January 2013.
Laird has won many awards for his fiction and poetry, including the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature, the Jerwood Aldeburgh Prize, the Betty Trask Prize, the Rupert and Eithne Strong award, a Somerset Maugham award, and the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize. He has published poetry and essays in many journals including the New Yorker, the London Review of Books and the New York Review of Books, and wrote a column on poetry for two years for the Guardian newspaper.
He has taught at Columbia University, Manchester University and Barnard College.
He is the author of two novels, Utterly Monkey and Glover's Mistake, and two collections of poetry, To A Fault and On Purpose. A new volume of poetry, Go Giants, is forthcoming from Faber in January 2013.
Laird has won many awards for his fiction and poetry, including the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature, the Jerwood Aldeburgh Prize, the Betty Trask Prize, the Rupert and Eithne Strong award, a Somerset Maugham award, and the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize. He has published poetry and essays in many journals including the New Yorker, the London Review of Books and the New York Review of Books, and wrote a column on poetry for two years for the Guardian newspaper.
He has taught at Columbia University, Manchester University and Barnard College.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 11, 2007
This guy made me think that people would start talking about poetry at dinner parties again.
December 8, 2014
I love this, I love this.
My friend presented me with the stanzas to his poem "Aubade" last summer, and since then the lines have been stuck in my head. Recently, after finding none of his poetry online, I decided to purchase To a Fault.
Laird's poetry is beautiful, lyrical, absolutely and simplistically haunting. He makes everyday life and occurrences gorgeous. A lot of it is up to interpretation, pure unadulterated emotion presented on a platter of carefully constructed word flow and imagery.
His poetry wavers brilliantly between geometric and organic, seen in lines like "my mother thinks his mood's dependent on the moon / he broke the light switch twice by punching it."
One of my favorite poets of all time.
My friend presented me with the stanzas to his poem "Aubade" last summer, and since then the lines have been stuck in my head. Recently, after finding none of his poetry online, I decided to purchase To a Fault.
Laird's poetry is beautiful, lyrical, absolutely and simplistically haunting. He makes everyday life and occurrences gorgeous. A lot of it is up to interpretation, pure unadulterated emotion presented on a platter of carefully constructed word flow and imagery.
His poetry wavers brilliantly between geometric and organic, seen in lines like "my mother thinks his mood's dependent on the moon / he broke the light switch twice by punching it."
One of my favorite poets of all time.
August 24, 2012
I found Laird difficult to decipher and connect with, at times, but was often struck with a particularly strong image and phrasing, e.g., one that reminded me of T.S. Eliot's "In the room the women come and go/ Talking of Michelangelo" (The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock) for its rhythm:
"And you, you pad from the bathroom to Gershwin,/ gentled with freckles and moisturized curves,/ still dripping, made new, singing your footprints/ as they singe the wood floor,/ perfect in grammar and posture"
(remarkable for those wonderful phrasings, too, e.g., "gentled with freckles", "singing your footprints").
Also, some powerful, dreamlike images, e.g.,
"Everyone on earth is sleeping. I am the keel-scrape/ beneath their tidal breathing which is shifting down through tempo/ to the waveform of the sea. "
"And you, you pad from the bathroom to Gershwin,/ gentled with freckles and moisturized curves,/ still dripping, made new, singing your footprints/ as they singe the wood floor,/ perfect in grammar and posture"
(remarkable for those wonderful phrasings, too, e.g., "gentled with freckles", "singing your footprints").
Also, some powerful, dreamlike images, e.g.,
"Everyone on earth is sleeping. I am the keel-scrape/ beneath their tidal breathing which is shifting down through tempo/ to the waveform of the sea. "
July 3, 2022
Favourites:- Poetry, The Length of a Wave, Remaindermen, The Signpost, Aubade, Disclaimer, Pedigree, The Last Saturday in Ulster, Notes towards a Final Definition: Work, The Evening Forecast for the Region, Appendix
March 4, 2025
Strong and wonderfully unique imagery abounds!
April 14, 2022
“… on the quest for the rest / and a good book / or a decent cause.” (P28)
Having read and enjoyed most of Nick Laird’s later poetry, I was drawn to this first collection - To a Fault - through the cover blurb promising “poems that never shy from difficult choices”, and that offer “brave resolute writings”, “affirming the need to rebuild and to right oneself”.
Whilst my natural curiosity was engaged into a call to action, I then struggled to fully connect this collection with my usual intrigue and emotion. Maybe this collection speaks to another specific set of circumstances rather than any sense of universal that I could sustain my connection to any deeper sense. Sadly it even became quite a slog for me to finish.
Having said that, there were still a few poems that sustained my attention: The Given, The Rope Bridge, To The Wife, Everybody Wear Socks, and Notes towards a Final Destination: Work.
Having read and enjoyed most of Nick Laird’s later poetry, I was drawn to this first collection - To a Fault - through the cover blurb promising “poems that never shy from difficult choices”, and that offer “brave resolute writings”, “affirming the need to rebuild and to right oneself”.
Whilst my natural curiosity was engaged into a call to action, I then struggled to fully connect this collection with my usual intrigue and emotion. Maybe this collection speaks to another specific set of circumstances rather than any sense of universal that I could sustain my connection to any deeper sense. Sadly it even became quite a slog for me to finish.
Having said that, there were still a few poems that sustained my attention: The Given, The Rope Bridge, To The Wife, Everybody Wear Socks, and Notes towards a Final Destination: Work.
June 27, 2018
(Rounded up from 3.5 stars)
Laird's debut collection of poetry is difficult and challenging. There is a playfulness and infatuation with language that is admirable and sometimes impressive, but it often sacrifices connection or emotion.
Laird's debut collection of poetry is difficult and challenging. There is a playfulness and infatuation with language that is admirable and sometimes impressive, but it often sacrifices connection or emotion.
January 23, 2023
varmaan kiinnostava idk oli liian vaikeit runoi mulle joten oon vaan hämmentyny, mut osa niist oli kai hyvii.
January 19, 2024
this was really beautifully written. i feel like i'm not quite smart enough to understand everything and that's okay
December 31, 2018
Finally got back around to reading this again and I'm still of the opinion that it needs to be read a few more times:) I don't connect with all of the poems but I like many of them and the writing is wonderful all around.
First review, August 26, 2013:
Brilliant poetry. Combines a glimpse of Irish culture with traditional philosophy and abstract thinking. Intend on rereading a few more times for full absorption.
First review, August 26, 2013:
Brilliant poetry. Combines a glimpse of Irish culture with traditional philosophy and abstract thinking. Intend on rereading a few more times for full absorption.
November 28, 2012
There are a few really luminous poems in this collection, but I had a hard time connecting with a lot of it. I found myself simply carrying it back and forth to work without every really feeling like I wanted to crack it open.
June 13, 2007
Quite beautiful
June 28, 2013
Intelligent and insightful, yet simple. A gorgeous collection of work by an artist that combines grand vision with tender humanity.
June 2, 2018
I picked up Laird's collection one day while working in the library because he is Zadie Smith's husband, and there is some crossover between their work. Sincere and sharp.
March 8, 2010
Lovely first collection.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews