Dieser Autor erforscht die Realitäten städtischer und natürlicher Landschaften und nutzt die strenge Wortökonomie, die er im Journalismus gelernt hat, um die Essenz seiner Heimatstadt einzufangen. Kontrastierende Erfahrungen in einer künstlichen Umgebung führten zu einer tiefgreifenden Neubewertung seiner Weltsicht, was zu intensiverem und politisch bewussterem Schreiben führte. Seine Arbeit zeichnet sich durch Dringlichkeit und den Wunsch nach authentischem Ausdruck aus, wobei er literarische Revisionismen meidet, um eine direkte Verbindung zum Leser herzustellen.
Barry MacSweeney's last book, The Book of Demons, recorded his fierce fight against alcoholism as well as the great love of those who helped save his life - though only for three more years. Wolf Tongue is his own selection, with the addition of the two late books which many regard as his finest work, Pearl and The Book of Demons. schovat popis
The collection features over 300 pages of unselected poetry by MacSweeney, spanning from 1966 to 2000. It highlights his early work, including the acclaimed "The Boy From the Green Cabaret Tells of His Mother," and showcases eight complete sequences from the prolific 1970s, featuring major pieces like "Black Torch" and unpublished works such as "Toad Church." The poems range from lyrical emotion to modernist styles, with five previously unpublished pieces from the 1980s. The editor provides an introduction and notes, enhancing understanding of MacSweeney's contributions.