Ellen Cranitch's Crystal reviewed as Poetry Book of the Month in The Observer
'Utterly mesmerising... This is what poetry at its best and truest can do. A wonderful achievement.’ – Stephen Fry
‘Tender and profound… honest and brave’ – Hisham Matar, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Return
Ellen Cranitch's Crystal traces the arc of one woman’s experience after the discovery that her partner is addicted to crystal meth. In a highly original poetic act of reclamation, it plunders the drug itself and makes of it an overarching conceit to articulate the devastating impact of living with a loved one who is utterly changed. Deeply felt, tirelessly inventive, this collection gives voice to addiction’s explosive effect within a family. At the same time it speaks universally and with urgency of the power of poetry to take one through the darkest of times.
Crystal is Ellen Cranitch's second poetry book, following The Immortalist (Templar Press), which was shortlisted for the Seamus Heaney Prize for Best Collection 2018. Crystal is published by Bloodax in April 2024, and will be launched online at Bloodaxe's joint reading and discussion event on 30 April. Scroll down for details.
POETRY BOOK OF THE MONTH REVIEW IN THE OBSERVER
The Observer, Poetry Book of the Month, Sunday 7 April 2024
Ellen Cranitch’s book-length sequence of poems Crystal was well reviewed by Kate Kellaway as her Poetry Book of the Month in The Observer of 7 April. The half-page feature was accompanied by the poem ‘Trust’.
'What impresses most about Ellen Cranitch's courageous second collection, Crystal, on the subject of her husband's addition to crystal meth and its devastations, is her steady rigour in not compromising, not ranting or taking flight [...] There is, throughout, a – crystal – clarity.' – Kate Kellaway, The Observer, Poetry book of the month
In print in The Observer. Now available online via The Guardian website.
FORTHCOMING ONLINE LAUNCH READING, 30 APRIL 2024
Ellen Cranitch will be launching her book online at Bloodaxe’s joint live-streamed reading and discussion event on 30 April at 7pm, together with Helen Farish and
Okinawan-Irish American poet Brenda Shaughnessy.
Watch live or later via YouTube.
[07 April 2024]
