Review
"Word comes to us from abroad of an event worth celebrating: the bilingual publication of Michael Davitt's "The Oomph of Quicksilver... While Davitt's work is essentially informed by the oral traditions of Irish folk song and story, he is also heavily influenced by others outside Ireland, such a e.e. Cummings, Bob Dylan and the Beats. The facts that Michael Davitt is such a seminal Ginsberg-like figure in the world of Irish-language literature and that the "Oomph of Quicksilver" selected poems spanning almost thirty years, is his first to appear in English translation are our cause for celebration.... With translations by some of the most highly respected Irish poets writing mainly in English, the "Oomph" is a clear field for those of us here in the US To witness such uncommon talent." -- The Bloomsbury Review
Product Description
A dual language collection of poetry by one of the most vibrant and innovative Irish language poets.
Michael Davitt is a very well known Irish writer and broadcaster. He founded the poetry broadsheet and journal "Innti", and was a central figure in a new movement in Gaelic poetry in the 1970’s. He became a friend of Seán Ó Ríordáin, to who’s metaphysical wit he gave a sharp vernacular edge. Davitt was also influenced by the linguistic virtuosity of the American e.e. cummings, the Beat poets and American popular culture. His poems have a wide-awake conscience that holds a mirror to contemporary Irish society, while his poems about and for people he admires capture their force and vitality.
This is the first time Davitt's poems have appeared together in a single volume, and the translations were carefully worked by a number of leading Irish poets including Brendan Kennelly, Paul Muldoon, and John Montague.
Students of Irish poetry and poetry lovers alike will enjoy this selection.
Michael Davitt is a very well known Irish writer and broadcaster. He founded the poetry broadsheet and journal "Innti", and was a central figure in a new movement in Gaelic poetry in the 1970’s. He became a friend of Seán Ó Ríordáin, to who’s metaphysical wit he gave a sharp vernacular edge. Davitt was also influenced by the linguistic virtuosity of the American e.e. cummings, the Beat poets and American popular culture. His poems have a wide-awake conscience that holds a mirror to contemporary Irish society, while his poems about and for people he admires capture their force and vitality.
This is the first time Davitt's poems have appeared together in a single volume, and the translations were carefully worked by a number of leading Irish poets including Brendan Kennelly, Paul Muldoon, and John Montague.
Students of Irish poetry and poetry lovers alike will enjoy this selection.
