Inside the onion

A wizard with words, Nemerov presents this collection of poems in his typical, sardonic style. However, the humour is used to slide more important themes under the radar, making this both a funny and reflective read. Poems such as 'Fish Swimming Amid Falling Flowers,' and 'Graven Images' see his haunting observations on nature, while others, such as 'Acts of God,' and 'Striders' deal with more epic ideas. A superb introduction to one of the greatest American poets of the 20th Century. Howard Nemerov (1920 – 1991) was an American novelist and poet, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1978. His novels are characterised by the use of self-deprecating wit and an ongoing sense of irony. While his books tended to satirise 20th Century American life, his poems often focussed on the beauty and innocence of nature. In addition, Nemerov also worked as a scriptwriter, most notably on the film, 'Tall Story,' starring Anthony Perkins and Jane Fonda.