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Thing in the Gap-Stone Stile
Thing in the Gap-Stone Stile | Alice Oswald
5 posts | 2 read | 2 to read
Alice Oswald's first book of poems, The Thing in the Gap-stone Stile is more confident and achieved than many first collections. Previously published in Anvil New Poets 2, a selection chosen by Carol Ann Duffy, and winner of the 1994 Eric Gregory Award, Oswald already clearly demonstrates a distinct voice. The poems here are extraordinarily beautiful: intensely musical, strewn with emotion, and full of energy and warmth. Influenced by Gerard Manley Hopkins and George Herbert, they speak passionately of nature and love. They have a religious sense of mystery, and try to express the intangible in marvellously vivid language. The second part of the book features an entertaining long poem titled The Men of Gotham, a comical folk-legend about the three men who went to sea to try to catch the moon in a net. Taken together, this is a wonderful first collection by an exceptionally talented young poet.
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review
quietlycuriouskate
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Pickpick

I am still merrily fan-girling as I read Alice Oswald's back catalogue.
This is her debut collection from 1996. The poet she is today is already recognisable in this book. In some ways it's more personal and personable than subsequent books (her neighbour puts in a couple of appearances), not that she ever goes into full-on confessional mode. It is a joy to read.

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rockpools
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I need my own copy of this. This was AO's first collection, written while she was working as a gardener. It's linked to the land, to myths and songs and nursery rhymes, the sea and love and aloneness. Liked this a lot!

The quote is from *When a Stone was Wrecking his Country* about a man who goes off to fight a stone.
#litsypoetry365

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quote
rockpools
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from the long poem (with an even longer title) "The three wise men of Gotham who set out to catch the moon in a net"

#litsypoetry365

blurb
rockpools
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The thing in the gap-stone stile
travels in an old tongue,
born to run, homegoing.
Vixen.

#spinepoetry #marchintoreading

quote
rockpools
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from "A greyhound in the evening after a long day of rain"

#litsypoetry365