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Catching a sudden look of defiance from his granddaughter inspires Hugo Williams to take up his pen and write this deeply moving new collection of poetry - the first since I Knew the Bride (2014), shortlisted for the Forward and T. S. Eliot prizes. He navigates assuredly from thoughtful reminiscences of childhood and accounts of the war, through various climes and sensitively drawn relationships, to grim humour in the hospital ward and growing older with its attendant doubts and disappearances. The collection retains the same mischief, frankness and joie-de-vivre that have earned Williams so much praise and readership.
- GenresPoetry
Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 28, 2019
Goodreads doesn't seem to acknowledge the existence of the Hardback version.
The 'Williams poem' is a recognisable unit. Thankfully it has been for a long time.
No pyrotechnics in the vocabulary or syntax, a voice speaking, a recognisable 'attitude': a sense of watching himself perform in a rather odd but interesting play. No erudite allusions to other poets. No willful literary obscurities. Everything is under control in the poem, even when he's describing himself losing control of his body and mind in the hospital.
In this collection hospitals, dialysis, growing old, are given the characteristic Williams treatment. There are also early memories and elegies for the dead.
It's the apparent artlessness that often gets commented on. But try faking a Williams poem and it becomes obvious how much art has gone into one. The test is what happens when you reread it.
The supperficial impression is that you only need to read these once. But if you fall for that you miss the way the specifics slide, or open out towards metaphor. They always suggest more than their specifics.
Some of the poems here have the same subjects as articles he published and collected in 'Freelancing'. Anyone who thinks the poems are artless should compare them to the prose.
The 'Williams poem' is a recognisable unit. Thankfully it has been for a long time.
No pyrotechnics in the vocabulary or syntax, a voice speaking, a recognisable 'attitude': a sense of watching himself perform in a rather odd but interesting play. No erudite allusions to other poets. No willful literary obscurities. Everything is under control in the poem, even when he's describing himself losing control of his body and mind in the hospital.
In this collection hospitals, dialysis, growing old, are given the characteristic Williams treatment. There are also early memories and elegies for the dead.
It's the apparent artlessness that often gets commented on. But try faking a Williams poem and it becomes obvious how much art has gone into one. The test is what happens when you reread it.
The supperficial impression is that you only need to read these once. But if you fall for that you miss the way the specifics slide, or open out towards metaphor. They always suggest more than their specifics.
Some of the poems here have the same subjects as articles he published and collected in 'Freelancing'. Anyone who thinks the poems are artless should compare them to the prose.
May 17, 2025
I keep a Wish List of books I want to read, and my husband does a great job of gathering them up for Christmas, but he goes one step further. He reads British book reviews and finds some poets and books that are complete surprises. This book is one of my favorite discoveries in 2025. I love poetry that moves me, amuses me, or wows me with its fresh take on a subject. That’s why Hugo Williams gets a five-star rating from me.
I don’t like to give away too much about a poetry book, but here are a few excerpts that
charmed me.
“Bed of Nails” begins:
‘Days move diagonally across town,
meet other days
traveling in the opposite direction.”
How is that for a surprising metaphor?
Williams was born during WWII, in 1942. This book was published in 2019. Now 83, it’s not surprising that the poems often describe the downside of aging, but in “Dear Arm,” he pays tribute to the appendage that has been so important to him through his life. The first stanza sets the stage (he uses many stage references, including the title of this collection. Both his parents were actors.
“How many times, dear arm,
have you put yourself in danger
for my sake? How many times
have you found your way home
through the dark, or saved me from falling?
I didn’t have to ask you twice.”
I don’t like to give away too much about a poetry book, but here are a few excerpts that
charmed me.
“Bed of Nails” begins:
‘Days move diagonally across town,
meet other days
traveling in the opposite direction.”
How is that for a surprising metaphor?
Williams was born during WWII, in 1942. This book was published in 2019. Now 83, it’s not surprising that the poems often describe the downside of aging, but in “Dear Arm,” he pays tribute to the appendage that has been so important to him through his life. The first stanza sets the stage (he uses many stage references, including the title of this collection. Both his parents were actors.
“How many times, dear arm,
have you put yourself in danger
for my sake? How many times
have you found your way home
through the dark, or saved me from falling?
I didn’t have to ask you twice.”
January 28, 2023
I've now read two collections from Hugo Williams and this one wasn't my favourite
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews