Toys / Tricks / Traps

In his new collection, Homeric, Christopher Reid explores the concept of the child being the father of the man, using a series of transtemporal encounters between two selves to understand each other. The poems depict the childhood of Henry James and the Britain of the 1950s and 1960s, reflecting on the role of mystery plays in both childhood and art.

Format: Hardback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2023
Publisher: Faber & Faber

In the captivating new collection by Christopher Reid, a schoolboy engages in a thrilling covert operation as he drops a marble through the top of his desk, navigating a complex chute of books, rulers, and debris in the darkness. With remarkable skill, the marble emerges from a hole in the base and is deftly caught in his other hand. The poem, titled "Homeric," offers a glimpse into the overall mood and structure of the collection, where the poet, now in his seventies, embarks on a quest to reconnect with his much younger self. This poetic exploration challenges Wordsworth's famous assertion, "The Child is Father of the Man," by orchestrating a series of transtemporal encounters between two selves who may begin to understand each other.

Reid's background includes a childhood spent in various foreign locations due to his father's employment. However, the majority of the settings in this book are vividly depicted in the Britain of the 1950s and 1960s, offering a nostalgic and perhaps even exotic perspective. As the poems progress from pre-verbal experiences to adolescence, the younger self is captured in scenes that shed light on the formative years that shaped the poet. Another poem delves into the childhood of Henry James, using it as a platform to reflect on the significant role of mystery plays in both childhood and art. The book as a whole embraces this proposition through its inquisitive gaze and ingenious craftsmanship.

Weight: 240g
Dimension: 224 x 146 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571376605
Edition number: Main