A Fold in the River

by Philip Gross, Valerie Coffin Price (Illustrations)

Coming to South Wales, T. S. Eliot Prize–winning poet Philip Gross lived on the banks of the River Taff near Quakers Yard. Here, his poems and journals from that encounter meet the visual responses of artist Valerie Coffin Price, grounded through walking in an immediate engagement with place. Together they unfold past and present landscapes in a subtle creative conversation with each other's art and ways of seeing, as well as with the river itself. The result is A Fold in the River, a stunning collection of poetry and original artwork.

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2015

Reviews

[Terri Hoskings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed the whole experience of this book, and it does offer two things for the price of one. The evocative poetry of Philip Gross, parallel with the visual landscape of Valerie Coffin Price create an affecting symmetry. Both maintain their unique mode of expression in a kind of imaginative dance through the landscape. It's almost like looking through someone's photo album, it's layered with meaning after meaning. I won't write spoilers, you'll have to read it yourself.
I will say, the topic of Aberfan was handled with both sensitivity and consideration, and that'll leave an impression on me for some time to come.

Some words just stick with you: this is that kind of book.

The ink drawings feel impromptu and one imagines Valerie Coffin Price with a sketchbook at the banks of the Taff; equally, and I speak as a local to the River Taff, [and Taff Trail] it's almost possible to picture the poet standing on a bridge, or meandering along some undulating riverbank. These accounts feel accurate to me as someone who sees the Taff daily.
A Fold in the River is not simply a book to read and let go: it's a poetry volume to savour; to carry around; and to revisit. For me personally, I want to read more, so have just ordered 'The Water Table', T.S. Eliot Prize-winner of 2009. But for the purposes of this review... 'A Fold in the River' comes highly recommended.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly beautiful book. I bought this book at the 2015 Hay Festival after attending an event where both the author and illustrator presented. I was absolutely fascinated by their talk and the appeal was only heightened by attending an exhibition featuring some of the artworks. Two and half years later, I finally got around to reading the book and it was even better than I had anticipated. It is very cleverly written and it often feels like you’re travelling down a river. Some sections you float down effortlessly and quickly, letting life pass you by. Others are slow, requiring greater concentration and forcing more intense contemplation. At times there are even some bone-shaking jolts and jarring stops, but all aspects of the journey are enjoyable in their own way. And the artworks complement the text perfectly. I highly recommend this book.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a sense of partnership between the poet and the artist and indeed the work that they have produced together across the two mediums. The clean lines of the poetry blend seamlessly into the blurred ink of the artwork. Hazy images of the countryside around the river interspliced with rivulets of text.

The collection takes a unique approach and is in many ways like nothing else I have ever read. Certainly – I don’t believe I’ve ever seen ‘gurning’ (a word often used in our very northern family) in a work of literature before. It’s these specific and illuminating language choices that make the collection such a joy to read aloud. It may look like a coffee table art book – it’s awareness of the importance of negative and positive space is certainly to its creators’ credit – but is much more than just a striking a visual piece. Its a delight for the ears as well.

I suppose some books just feel really satisfying to read. A Fold in the River is one of those collections for me and I suspect I could carry on with an endless list of why. But I will leave that pleasure of discovery to you. I have already returned to it many times since my first read through sat by our nature pond in the May sunshine and I expect I will return to it again and again in the future.