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Breadcrumbs
"These are important poems. They carry us through despair and hope, through myths and imaginings, through violence and insight to deliver us to a place where we are not only enriched but wiser. Harvey's poems are astute, well-crafted and delivered with a calm certainty that is hard-won by any poet. Witty, surreal and above all redemptive, this book uncovers truth after truth and, like stars, sets them shining." - Alyson Hallett
"I think very highly of Deborah Harvey's work. Her honesty draws you in because Harvey knows that honesty is itself an art form. It needs to be strongly crafted; it is a crafted matter; and she makes a persuasive poetry from the matter of experience." - David Morley
Cover art by Dru Marland.
"I think very highly of Deborah Harvey's work. Her honesty draws you in because Harvey knows that honesty is itself an art form. It needs to be strongly crafted; it is a crafted matter; and she makes a persuasive poetry from the matter of experience." - David Morley
Cover art by Dru Marland.
78 pages, Paperback
Published May 6, 2016
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 19, 2016
Having enjoyed reading her earlier book of poems, Map Reading For Beginners, and her novel, Dart, I thought it would be good to read Deborah Harvey's new poetry book, Breadcrumbs, and I was not disappointed. Sad, but never depressing, most of the poems in the collection seem to be reflections on a broken relationship, long over. The clearing away of things that remind her of pain in her past is a theme that runs through many of her finely crafted lines, as in the first verse of Opening the Box, for example:
"The attic's cleared. There's just the drip
of the water tank, a buzzing strip light,
the dog's bark echoing from the garden
and this cardboard box I hesitate to open"
Refreshingly, I find them to be very English poems by a very English poet. References to Greek myths, English folk lore, life in the town and the countryside, add interest to her lines. I have often read that it is important that a book should have a good cover, for the cover is the first thing its potential reader sees. Strangely, however, in book reviews I have read, not one reviewer has said that they were drawn to the book by its cover. Indeed, the cover is never mentioned. The cover of Breadcrumbs by Deborah Harvey is very good, well worth mentioning. The cover illustration by Dru Marland is of a tree that looks like a bare woman, or a woman emerging, waking, as a tree. Like the poems in the book, it is full of the energy of life, the will to live. Anyone who enjoys reading poetry that is thoughtful and finely written would enjoy reading this book.
"The attic's cleared. There's just the drip
of the water tank, a buzzing strip light,
the dog's bark echoing from the garden
and this cardboard box I hesitate to open"
Refreshingly, I find them to be very English poems by a very English poet. References to Greek myths, English folk lore, life in the town and the countryside, add interest to her lines. I have often read that it is important that a book should have a good cover, for the cover is the first thing its potential reader sees. Strangely, however, in book reviews I have read, not one reviewer has said that they were drawn to the book by its cover. Indeed, the cover is never mentioned. The cover of Breadcrumbs by Deborah Harvey is very good, well worth mentioning. The cover illustration by Dru Marland is of a tree that looks like a bare woman, or a woman emerging, waking, as a tree. Like the poems in the book, it is full of the energy of life, the will to live. Anyone who enjoys reading poetry that is thoughtful and finely written would enjoy reading this book.
October 9, 2016
This down-to-earth poetry volume takes us on a journey of 'peopleness' and is a book for any and every reader. If you don't usually read poetry, here's a good place to start.
The words read like music: connecting up all the dots of parental love, relational resilience and hope. It flows with all the continuity of the said emotions.
IMHO, there is no substitute for a well read writer and we have that in good measure here. Pressed between the pages of experience is a blend of humanity that is searching, experimental and has fearsome integrity. I personally found it groundbreaking in its impact: raw paintings-with-words. Truly, I can highly recommend it, if for nothing else.. the final word on the back page alone. Nope, I'm not telling you what that is, you'll have to buy the book. But you won't be disappointed.
Impressive.
The words read like music: connecting up all the dots of parental love, relational resilience and hope. It flows with all the continuity of the said emotions.
IMHO, there is no substitute for a well read writer and we have that in good measure here. Pressed between the pages of experience is a blend of humanity that is searching, experimental and has fearsome integrity. I personally found it groundbreaking in its impact: raw paintings-with-words. Truly, I can highly recommend it, if for nothing else.. the final word on the back page alone. Nope, I'm not telling you what that is, you'll have to buy the book. But you won't be disappointed.
Impressive.
January 12, 2020
A fabulous collection of poetry, Breadcrumbs.
Skillfully written, this volume has some huge lines and very vivid imagery.
The speaker in the poems take us on a journey, often through the words we least convey to one another in the moment. I find Deborah Harvey's work to be fierce, heartfelt and bold in expression.
The cover-art by Dru Marland speaks for itself in its beauty, elegance and is handled with a light touch. In this, the digital age, what's more refreshing than well-considered words and mouth-watering artwork?
For these reasons, and others, I can highly recommend this volume to anyone/everyone. If you don't read it, you've massively missed out. Breadcrumbs is a book to walk around with: to savour for its decisive sounds and visionary, other-worldly poetry.
Skillfully written, this volume has some huge lines and very vivid imagery.
The speaker in the poems take us on a journey, often through the words we least convey to one another in the moment. I find Deborah Harvey's work to be fierce, heartfelt and bold in expression.
The cover-art by Dru Marland speaks for itself in its beauty, elegance and is handled with a light touch. In this, the digital age, what's more refreshing than well-considered words and mouth-watering artwork?
For these reasons, and others, I can highly recommend this volume to anyone/everyone. If you don't read it, you've massively missed out. Breadcrumbs is a book to walk around with: to savour for its decisive sounds and visionary, other-worldly poetry.
September 8, 2016
This collection is every bit as well-crafted as Deborah Harvey' other two poetry books, but because it hones in on the destructive aspects of relationships and the need to live on after the suffering they can leave in their wake, it has taken me longer than usual to come up with a written response.
The book is divided into three sections, dedicated to three myths of trees who were also women, or women who were also trees, or maybe women in an unwanted relationship to a tree.
Harvey's previous books have been filled with insight into the way places, usually wild or historical scenes in Devon, Bristol, Wales and Somerset, interact with the character of the people who inhabit them. These new poems also bring awareness of nature, sometimes more far-flung, sometimes more abstract. often more hostile and implacable.
I recommend this book highly. Make time for reading and re-reading, and you will not be disappointed.
The book is divided into three sections, dedicated to three myths of trees who were also women, or women who were also trees, or maybe women in an unwanted relationship to a tree.
Harvey's previous books have been filled with insight into the way places, usually wild or historical scenes in Devon, Bristol, Wales and Somerset, interact with the character of the people who inhabit them. These new poems also bring awareness of nature, sometimes more far-flung, sometimes more abstract. often more hostile and implacable.
I recommend this book highly. Make time for reading and re-reading, and you will not be disappointed.
June 3, 2016
An utterly spellbinding collection. There's a raw honesty to it which really takes your breath away. We read of the anatomy of an abusive relationship, and even though it's quite a dark ride there are light flashes of humour here and there which add depth and perspective. Fantastic.
December 8, 2017
To find a collection of beautiful, heartfelt poems that inspire and allow you to search your own emotions whilst reading, is a rare find. Each poem is a delight to read, extremely well delivered and leaves a strong imprint of imagery long after completion. These poems tug at the heart strings, are thought provoking, sad, happy and a whole lot of other feelings too, but most importantly they are written with a purpose. I truly loved them all.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews