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| Mimi Khalvati reads from her latest collection, Child |
Last Thursday saw a Carcanet double bill at Manchester's vibrant new events hub, the International Anthony Burgess Foundation. First, the launch of two exciting collections: Child: New and Selected Poems, by well-loved poet and teacher Mimi Khalvati; and Arguing with Malarchy, the sophomore effort from the talented Carola Luther.
A half-hour break and then, in the same room, a celebration of Linda Chase, and the launch of her book, Not Many Love Poems. This will sadly be the final collection by the legendary Manchester poet and founder of Poets and Players, who died earlier this year.
It was set to be a memorable night.
Child and Arguing with Malarchy
A half-hour break and then, in the same room, a celebration of Linda Chase, and the launch of her book, Not Many Love Poems. This will sadly be the final collection by the legendary Manchester poet and founder of Poets and Players, who died earlier this year.
It was set to be a memorable night.
Child and Arguing with Malarchy
We join our intrepid Carcanet Team surrounded, as always, by books, and comfortably ensconced in a taxi en route to the hotel where Mimi Khalvati, a Londoner, was staying the night (Carola was to meet us at the venue). Having bundled Mimi into the taxi, we zipped from there to the Burgess Foundation, with an armoury of shiny new books of poetry to sell.
After a quick-but-efficient spell in the IABF café (left), the event was underway as the guests began to arrive. The audience was pleasingly large (a sign that our Twitter feed is in working order), and Ricardo (our trusty microphone) was swiftly set up and our camera safely installed.
Michael Schmidt, Carcanet's Managing and Editorial Director, stepped up to introduce Mimi, the first reader. He explained that he and Mimi have enjoyed a friendship of over twenty years - roughly as long as her writing career itself.
Michael Schmidt, Carcanet's Managing and Editorial Director, stepped up to introduce Mimi, the first reader. He explained that he and Mimi have enjoyed a friendship of over twenty years - roughly as long as her writing career itself.
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| Carola Luther reads from Arguing with Malarchy |
Next up was Carola Luther, a South African poet who lives in the Yorkshire Pennines. Taking to the lectern, Carola immediately expressed how long she had followed and admired Mimi's work. Though not as long-established as Mimi, Carola (above) is as exciting a talent, and her book, Arguing with Malarchy, is just as precious a find - certainly if Mimi's praise is anything to go by. Carola's new collection is a cacophany of voices, as she explores a Protean variety of themes, forms, settings and starting points. We all enjoyed her reading, and the audience certainly seemed appreciative.
Not Many Love Poems
Was it a double bill? Or was it a triple bill? Or more? In fact the second event of the night saw a whole host of friends pay tribute to Linda Chase; both Mimi and Carola had spoken of her, during their own readings, as a dear friend and colleague. Linda grew up in New York but made a home and a name for herself here, teaching Tai Chi, setting up the Manchester branch of The Poetry School, and transforming her home in Didsbury into a cultural hub.
On Thursday, not only poets, but friends, family, and musicians (Mariachi) came to read Linda's poetry, and bear witness to the profound influence which Linda had had over their lives. The tribute culminated in a Tai Chi demonstration, accompanied by a moving recording of Linda herself reading from Not Many Love Poems.
Praised by Michael Schmidt as her best book of poems, Not Many Love Poems (pictured, right) is the final collection by Linda Chase. It is not only a touching, skilfully-expressed account of Linda's experiences with illness and the approach of death. It engages with her whole life: passionate, exciting, and richly lived.
After the tribute, we sold out of Not Many Love Poems; further copies are available on the Carcanet website.
It was a party which we hope Linda would have enjoyed.
Not Many Love Poems
On Thursday, not only poets, but friends, family, and musicians (Mariachi) came to read Linda's poetry, and bear witness to the profound influence which Linda had had over their lives. The tribute culminated in a Tai Chi demonstration, accompanied by a moving recording of Linda herself reading from Not Many Love Poems.Praised by Michael Schmidt as her best book of poems, Not Many Love Poems (pictured, right) is the final collection by Linda Chase. It is not only a touching, skilfully-expressed account of Linda's experiences with illness and the approach of death. It engages with her whole life: passionate, exciting, and richly lived.
After the tribute, we sold out of Not Many Love Poems; further copies are available on the Carcanet website.
It was a party which we hope Linda would have enjoyed.
Okey Nzelu, Carcanet Press
Photos © Alice Kate Mullen and Okey Nzelu
Photos © Alice Kate Mullen and Okey Nzelu