Chapman Issue 91

Issue: 91 - The Big British Poetry Debate

“Literary Storm Hits Scotland!” American Jon Corelis’s essay in Chapman 87 on the state of British poetry impressed a lot of poets, publishers and critics for its insightful views but profoundly upset just as many. Candid and exercised responses to the article poured in, leading the Ed to open up the debate on Jon Corelis’s provocative ideas. He breaks British Poetry down into five categories: the Scottish School, the Suburbanites, the City Kids, the Academics and the Starters Over. Responses include ripostes from Sebastian Barker, Tom Pow, Jill Dick, Janet Paisley, Iain Crichton Smith and Angus Calder are humorous, outspoken, serious, adamant, but above all willing to discuss British poetry as it is. Light touchpaper … Also, outrageous pieces from Bill Duncan, Michel Faber, Angus McFarlane, George Wyllie and Iain Grant lift the mood and lower the tone. More seriously, poetry about Bosnia from Colin Mackay from Cold Night Lullaby (see our book list) &c … Illustrations by George Wyllie, John MacWilliam and Maura Bissett. 104 pp, 1998, ISBN-10: 0-906772-87-7 / ISBN-13: 978-0-906772-87-4 £5.00