John Burnside (1955–2024)

A sad and moving tale from the poet/author John Burnside growing up in the 50's/60's in deprived area of Fife in Scotland with an alcoholic father. It's not Shuggie Bain hopelessness/grimness - his dad never misses a day of work ever (as this is seen as something a REAL man would never do) but a different sort of painful childhood upbringing.

The threat of violence rather than it's actual delivery, and the failed dreams of the father (and the lies he told) wearing down both his wife and family.

There's a poignant scene in the final chapter at his father's wake, where his barfly friends either don't wish to question the dead mans lies or choose to actually believe them.

Questioning them would reflect badly on them though, so they become gospel.

It's ironic, that people talk about the present generation as presenting one image (online) with the actual reality, and that it's a new thing.

For the males of that era and class, an image/story must be presented constantly regardless of the facts or the reality, and after a while it absorbs the lie element and becomes the truth.… (more)

I've always loved poetry (in English, Portuguese, German, you name it), and a few years back made it a new year’s resolution to improve my knowledge and appreciation of the form. So in 2021 where better to start than this book, having long admired John Burnside's essays, nature writing, and, in particular, his wonderful three part memoir?

This is no dry anthology, each chapter is loosely devoted to poems on different subject matter - nature, love, work, war, religion, etc. (the "dailiness of life" is a recurrent theme) - and the author takes a handful of his favourite works to explain the techniques, political background and biographical notes behind the poetry. The result is a fascinating, extensively researched masterclass on all aspects of twentieth century poetry. Its sources are cosmopolitan and the reader is introduced to many less famous poets from all over the world. Burnside's writing is clear, with many learned digressions and some autobiographical notes to give the book an added warmth. His devotion to the form is infectious. On completing it, I immediately went back to read it again, there being so much wonderful content to absorb. One of my books of the year by a country mile, and highly recommended for anyone wanting to explore the world of poetry.

Couldn’t put it down. It was so beautifully written, so tragic and so shocking. I bawled my eyes out for pages at a time. A wonderful, wonderful book.… (more)