Records of an Incitement to Silence

Gregory Woods is a leading British critic and historian of gay literature, and his latest collection, Records of an Incitement to Silence, revisits themes of individual growth, love, memory, and the limits of truth. His formal stringency intensifies the poems' emotional and erotic charge, celebration, and plaint.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 120 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2021
Publisher: Carcanet Press Ltd

Gregory Woods, a prominent British critic and historian of gay literature, has been longlisted for the Polari Book Prize 2022. He has published five previous Carcanet poetry collections, with his first collection, "We Have The Melon" (1992), marking his debut. "Records of an Incitement to Silence" revisits many of the original themes explored in his previous works, but Woods brings them closer to the endgame. The sequence of stripped-down, unrhymed sonnets and the longer poems that accentuate them suggest a missing narrative: the growth of the individual in a world of upheaval, the search for and loss of love, the formation of memories, the limits of what can truthfully be said, the traces we leave, and the chance of their survival.

One of Woods' creative habits is the wringing-out of a single form until it's bone dry. He employs unrhymed sonnets, monosyllabic syllabics in the long poem "Hat Reef Loud," and incompatible yoking-together of iambic pentameter and dactylic trimeter in the long poem "No Title Yet." This formal stringency intensifies the poems' emotional and erotic charge, their celebration, and their plaint.

Woods' poetry explores the complexities of human experience, particularly the experiences of marginalized communities. His work often deals with themes of identity, sexuality, and the search for meaning in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving. Through his poetry, Woods seeks to create a sense of connection and empathy, inviting readers to explore their own experiences and emotions.

"Records of an Incitement to Silence" is a testament to Woods' talent as a poet and his ability to engage with his readers on a deep level. The collection showcases his mastery of form and language, as well as his ability to convey complex ideas and emotions in a concise and powerful way.

Overall, Gregory Woods is a significant figure in gay literature, and his work deserves to be celebrated. His longlisted status for the Polari Book Prize 2022 is a recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply interested in exploring the experiences of marginalized communities, "Records of an Incitement to Silence" is a must-read.

Weight: 156g
Dimension: 333 x 216 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800171282