Moat's 6th collection. Relating to episodes in an 'inner journey' or search, these are not the self-seeking of an individual man but of something more general: bewildered masculinity. The title poems are the proof and achievement of this search and the Miraculous Mandarin emerges as an all-demanding myth of the male which finds peculiar resonance in the context of our contemporary reassertion of the female. Of his previous work, critic Michael Baldwin wrote: Serious, satiric, gnomic and...witty.
Enitharmon Press has long been among the leading British poetry publishers, but over the years it has broadened its list to include essays, memoirs, short stories and an acclaimed list of artists' books. This checklist gives full bibliographical details of Enitharmon's publications, with interconnected indices for cross-referencing.
In Praise of Devon is an evocation of the unique character of the county and its people. John Lane eloquently describes Devon’s rivers, coastline and moors; its towns, villages and buildings; its beautiful images and objects, traditions and occupations—from Dartmoor to Devonshire dialect, Church Bells to Cream Teas, Honiton Lace to Holy Wells—and gives intimate sketches of the lives and values of twenty Devonians, including farmers, a trawlerman, a doctor, a cook, the sculptor Peter Randall Page, potter Clive Bowen and scientist James Lovelock. The text is complemented by 140 colour plates:?photographs, engravings and old master paintings of the Devon countryside.
What do we mean by the word imagination? Does it just refer to our powers of invention and ingenuity, or might it have a larger visionary scope and purpose? Might it be vital to a vital life? What about the creative process itself: how does it work, in what circumstances does it flourish, and what conditions hinder or repress its activity? These and related themes are explored, often in unexpected and provocative ways, in this inspirational collection of essays, poems and reflections.The book takes its title from the opening essay, The Gist of Arvon, in which John Moat reflects with characteristic humanity, vigour and wit on the wider implications of the original vision and sense of purpose, which he shared with his close friend, the late John Fairfax, when they set up the Arvon Foundation together more than forty years ago.John's piece is followed by those of the contributing authors, who approach the issues from a stimulating variety of perspectives. Thus, amongst other lively contributions, Seamus Heaney writes about the inspirational nature of haunting encounters, Alice Oswald reveals a poet's imagination in full flight across pages from her work-book, Carol Ann Duffy contributes poems she wrote while tutoring at Arvon Centres, and there are freshly written pieces by novelists such as Andrew Miller, Adam Thorpe and Maggie Gee, while Jules Cashford, Linda Proud and Patrick Harpur offer mythological and philosophical insights on the book's themes. The book has a Foreword by Andrew Motion, and reprints a fascinating essay in which Ted Hughes gave thought to the important educational significance of the work done at Arvon's Centres.Through its celebration of the imagination, The Gist seeks to bring encouragement and inspiration to anyone whose pulses are quickened by the urge to live a creative life.
For thirty years, John Moatís Resurgence brief has been to contribute levity to the magazineís serious business of imprinting a green complexion on what planet earth claims as consciousness. The sustainability of the Didymus column has served as keynote for the entire alternative movement. But had the movement followed the exemplar more closely it might by now have startled itself with its own sparkle, its contrary vision, its range of questionable authority, its self-constructive irreverence and its capacity to approach what is serious and urgent by way of the utterly ridiculous. Just such a kaleidoscope is reflected in this collection of thirty-six tracts from the Didymus compendium. Guaranteed to crack a smile on the face of even the most jaded cynic; this beautifully-crafted book, with never a word in excess or a story simply told is full of multi-layered meanderings brimful of insight, humour and candour. A joy to read ñ this book will be savoured and revisited, like a favourite view or a good local pub.
