Subterranean Radio Songs (Emerging Authors) [Paperback]

Joel Deane (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 2005 | Series: Emerging Authors

Subterranean Radio Songs is a collection of poetry that forms a narrative of the author s travels from Australia to the Americas and the Himalayas, with frequent detours into our mind and soul. The collection melds travel with urban life and the trials that we face, brought to life by Joel Deane s vivid language and evocative description. This collection will appeal to all poetry readers, particularly those interested in travel and the human condition. Essential for all libraries, with holdings in contemporary poetry. Recommended for Young Adult readers as well as adults.

Editorial Reviews

Review

There are many fine poems in Subterranean Radio Songs, but they work best together as a collection, allowing us insight into the thoughts and feelings of a grief-stricken man seeking healing and understanding by jumping feet-first out into the world. --Liz Hall-Downs, Thylazine

This is raw, unrefined narrative poetry, demotic, energetic and ultimately optimistic. It has a strong rhythm, some fine imagery, ironic objectivity; above all, it is first-hand and unpretentious. It s poetry in primary colours. --Janet Upcher

Deane s book is an autobiography in two parts, with the first section ( South ) taking us breezily through his childhood, to his first marriage and tragic loss of a child, then a traumatic break-up. South concludes with the brilliantly energetic Under Westgate . In this virtuosic poem in motion , the hard, jerky, foot-down rhythms and kinaesthetic imagery convey a visceral experience of driving under the site of the famous bridge disaster, while everything spins emotionally out of control. The second half of Subterranean Radio Songs, titled North , sees Deane off to Las Vegas and numerous casinos (no wonder he works for Bracks), the precariously zipping down the disorienting left-hand drive lanes of spaghetti-junction US. In these escapades, Deane is on the road in the wake of the Beats, sipping tequila and speed highballs, hanging out with prostitutes and digging the sleazy romance of it all. --John Jenkins, The Australian Book Review

About the Author

IP Picks Award 2004 winner for his debut novel, Another, Joel Deane has had numerous works published, particularly between 1990 and 1995. He fell silent as a writer until 2004, and this collection is the story of those silent years. He currently works as a speechwriter for the Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks. Joel lives in Melbourne with his wife and two children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: Interactive Publications; 1st edition (January 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1876819316
• ISBN-13: 978-1876819316
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,379,756 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)