The Breakwater Book of Contemporary Newfoundland Poetry

by James Langer (Editor), Ken Babstock (Contributor), Michael Crummey (Contributor)

Gathering the strongest poetry published by Newfoundlanders since the death of E.J. Pratt in 1964, The Breakwater Book of Contemporary Newfoundland Poetry features selections from twelve of the province’s most impressive poets, including Al Pittman, Tom Dawe, Mary Dalton, John Steffler, Patrick Warner, and Ken Babstock. This groundbreaking anthology, with over forty years of poetry on display, celebrates the rousing and the rebirth of contemporary Newfoundland verse.

Genres: Poetry

216 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2013

Reviews

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most anthologies, there's stuff I liked, some I didn't. I would say purely by content I'd give this collection a 4/5. I'm giving it a 3/5 because it really needed some kind of foreword about the poets and the works the editors collected, something to place the reader.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Callanan and James Langer combed the rock for its premier poets to build this collection and the rock was not lacking. Showcasing the works of Al Pittman, Tom Dawe, John Steffler, Mary Dalton, Carmelita McGrath, Richard Greene, Michael Crummey, Agnes Walsh, Ken Babstock, Sue Sinclair, and Patrick Warner, each poet has a section all their own. The smallest section has only six poems in it, but most of the others are 10 or more. Some of my particular favourites were Tom Dawe's Outport Christmas and Abandoned Outport for the beautiful landscapes he wove with his words, Mary Dalton's many poems with authentic Newfoundlander slang, and the part in John Steffler's poem That Night We Were Ravenous where he describes a moose as “a team of beavers trying to operate stilts” which amused me so much I immediately texted it to four people. Less amusing were the poems dealing with violence or hinting at abusive relationships. But in the whole book there were maybe five works addressing those topics, and none were excessively graphic. Overall, this book was a wonderful experience and made me long to visit Newfoundland.

[Gabriel Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

poetry review
Al Pitmin 4/5
Tom Dawe 4/5
John Stefler 2/5
Mary Dalton 3/5
Carmelita McGrath 4/5
Richard Greene 4/5
Michael Crummey 3/5
Angnes Walsh 4/5
Ken Babstock 3/5
Sue Sinclair 3/5
Patrick Warner 4/5

[Carol A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read, excellent poets. One of the few anthologies I have read and loved all of the poems it contained. It stays on my shelf!