On Keith Chandler’s The English Civil War Part 2:
Anthony Thwaite (awarded OBE in 1992 for services to poetry):
“A spellbinding book – tremendously impressive, entertaining, moving, funny.
And original.
These poems are always ‘about’ something.”
George Szirtes, Poetry Review:
“It is a humane, funny, sometimes biting, very English collection. Keith Chandler is a genuine poet, remarkable for his acuteness of observation and unshowy craftsmanship.”
On Keith Chandler’s The Grandpa Years:
Jan Fortune, Envoi:
“This is a whimsical and unashamedly intimate pamphlet from the first line.
But there are serious questions running through this – that elevates this sequence into a lyrical consideration of change and time.”
Shropshire was lucky enough to be chosen by Keith Chandler and his wife as their new home, in recent years.
I first met him at Bridgnorth Writer’s Group. We all soon became in awe of his poetry, and have remained so – constantly gasping at his linguistic skill and depth of emotion delivered so extraordinarily well, time and again.
He kindly wrote three wonderful poems about Shropshire Butterflies for Fair Acre Press’ first book which is now almost out of stock.
Then, after a whole lot of wooing on my part, Fair Acre Press and I were so so pleased to be able to publish his first poetry pamphlet The Grandpa Years.
He has recently been interviewed by an old sixth form student of his, Andy Cochrane, who has obviously been inspired by his quiet incisive knowledgeable teacher. You can read the interview here.
I also interviewed Keith, in November 2015 – when I asked him to read some of his poems and discuss his writing process- during an Arts Council England-funded project “Maligned Species” and you can hear and download the podcast here.
If you would like to read more about, or buy a copy of The Grandpa Years, click on this title.
We can also source a copy of The English Civil War Part 2 if you contact us. (for £6 including p&p)
Despite coming third out of fourteen thousand entries in the National Poetry Competition 2012, and having been published by Carcanet, Redbeck and Peterloo, as well as in several anthologies; Keith may be one of the country’s best kept poetry secrets.
I think you’ll agree, once you have read him.
Nadia x
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