passing through

by Tom Leonard

passing through is, by any standard, a major book – a compilation of previously uncollected or unpublished work by the great Tom Leonard (1944 - 2018), including characteristically beautiful poetry, powerful essays, and perceptive review pieces on artists such as Ezra Pound, William Carlos Williams, and Norman MacCaig. It is a volume which presents the range of Tom Leonard’s artistry: his deep insight, but also the remarkable subtlety, humour, and empathy that permeates all of his writing.

198 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2021

About the author

Tom Leonard (born 1944) was a Scottish poet, writer and critic. He is best known for his poems written in the Glaswegian dialect of Scots, particularly his Six Glasgow Poems and The Six O'Clock News. His work frequently dealt with the relationship between language, class and culture.

Leonard also wrote plays, sound poetry, political polemic and a biography of the 19th-century Scottish poet James ‘B.V.’ Thomson, Places of the Mind.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry and prose from Tom Leonard, published posthumously. Poems, book reviews and essays collected together in collaboration with Tom Leonard's family, the news of this book's publication was an unexpected treat.

Some of the works here have been published before in journals, or on Tom's website, others are published for the first time. His humour, integrity and erudition shine out from every page. Tom Leonards poems can be very personal, and very universal. The essays and book reviews here are as relevant today as when they were written (eg on the failure of the Labour Party from a review of Tony Benn's diaries).

A worthwhile, and welcome book.