Crowther writes about this world, this country and this era with such accuracy and honesty you find yourself wrapped up in the mystic and otherly vision without question. For me the work sits with the Modernists in its uncompromising ambition, commitment to experiment and dignity of focus, but her voice is consistently contemporary, poised and original.
There is always a fascinating psychological turn, an insight unearthed via science or history or theology. A Selected should always be a ‘greatest hits’ of sorts, but it’s rare to read a curation of such powerful coherence, drawing poems from the last fifteen years into a gathering momentum. Curious, beautiful and melancholy; a celebration of her work so far and the best starting point for new readers.
Luke Kennard
I was delighted to find after reading this collection a body of work that was genuinely thought-provoking and wittily original. The poems lie in the traditions of modernism and surrealism but are written from a contemporary feminist viewpoint. Language is made visible particularly in relationship to gender. Any reader familiar with poetry should find these poems accessible and be able to appreciate their wit and technical skill.
It is, to my mind, the wit of such original conceits and phrases that make this book a most unusual one which many readers should find genuinely stimulating. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in reading poetry that is intelligent and sharply observant about gender differences in language use.
JENNIFER JOHNSON London Grip
Beautiful, thoughtful, mind etching works.
Joanna Parker, Performance Designer
© Claire Crowther 2024