Matt McAvoy Book Review

I do enjoy poetry, and for me there are three things which make it: intelligent, witty and creative prose; elegant presentation; and engaging narrative.  Whilst this book is not quite the finished article, it does tick these boxes for the most part, and it is a very enjoyable, pleasant and cosy way to spend a (very brief) bit of time.  The six rhyming, interconnected narratives are intriguing and edgy.

As a reader, making the most of poetry can only be done in the right conditions – like coffee in a bistro, or a liqueur, it can be simply drank in one, but where’s the pleasure in that?  I confess, I read this whole collection in a short interlude (in fact, I spent longer writing this review), but I can recommend savouring it in the optimal setting, perhaps with a glass of wine or a small log fire.

It is a nicely composed little gem, and an enjoyable work to read, spiced with a warm and welcome hint of genuine darkness.  To tell the truth, I wish that Brennan had indulged us substantially more than he has – the publication does feel particularly short, but it is beautifully packaged in a few attractive and endearing pages.  This book is more about the style than the volume, like a small brandy.  Enjoy it while it lasts – I did.