Ignite

by Kevin Spenst

A finalist for the Alfred G. Bailey Prize a collection of elegiac and experimental poetry powder-kegged with questions about one man's lifelong struggle with schizophrenia. Born into a strict Mennonite family, Abe Spenst's mental illness spanned three decades in and out of mental institutions where he underwent electric shock treatment and coma-induced insulin therapy. Merging memory and medical records, Kevin Spenst recreates his father's life through a cuckoo's nest of styles that both stand as witness and waltz to the interplay between memory, emotion and all our forms of becoming. "...with a fearless layering of voice, upfront and unswerving. A novel-esque torrent tracing a troubling history of illness, part confrontation and part chronicle, this collection is daring with its dark narrative. Here is a willingness for, and enviable strength in, extending poetic range and ascends. There are books that need to be written and this is one of them. This is a collection which gives more and more with every read." (Sandra Ridley, judge, Alfred G. Bailey prize) A selection of poems from Ignite won the Lush Triumphant Award for Poetry.

Genres: Poetry, Canada

96 pages, Paperback

Published May 28, 2016

About the author

Kevin Spenst, a Pushcart Poetry nominee, is the author of Jabbering with Bing Bong (Anvil Press), Ignite (Anvil Press), and over a dozen chapbooks including Ward Notes (the serif of nottingham), Flip Flop Faces (JackPine Press with art by Owen Plummer), Pray Goodbye (the Alfred Gustav Press), and What the Frag Meant (100 tetes press). He has done a one-man show at the Vancouver Fringe Festival and over a hundred poetry readings across the country. His work has won the Lush Triumphant Award for Poetry, been nominated for both the Alfred G. Bailey Prize and the Robert Kroetsch Award for Innovative Poetry, and has appeared in dozens of publications including subTerrain magazine, Prairie Fire, CV2, BafterC, Lemon Hound, Poetry is Dead, and the anthology Best Canadian Poetry 2014. He lives and works in Vancouver, B.C. where he's an enthusiastic participant in a number of writing communities.

Reviews

[Dana Neily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new favourite poetry collection. A researched and emotional look at a family where the father has schizophrenia. Moving, inisghtful, and told beautifully.

[Kirstian L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will be looking up more from this poet.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin's second book (but actually first) is so poignant that, at times, I had to take breaks while reading it. There are times when he very smartly cuts back on his experimental phrase (flyaway, dendrite-connecting, challenging poetry that is always a pleasure to read and experience along with him) to get down to the true emotion at the centre of this subject matter. These aren't easy, and for anyone who has lost someone to mental illness, they will be even harder. But this is beautiful and worthwhile.

[Andrew Boden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superlative collection and a deep, wide ranging exploration of Spenst's father, Abram. Brilliant, moving and thought-provoking!