View Points and Points of View: A 'Phoetry Book' from Cornwall

by Clive Blake, Chris Robbins, Adrian Blake (Illustrator)

This is described as a Phoetry Book, and Phoetry is defined as a fusion of Poetry and Photography. Both Clive Blake, the poet, and Chris Robbins, the photographer, grew up on Cornish family farms. Their love of Cornwall and the natural environment is self-evident in both the poems and the images. Both have also had to cope with disabilities, but this seems to intensify their creativity rather than hinder it. Adrian Blake, the graphic designer, has used his design skills to sympathetically and very effectively pull the whole thing together. This has ensured that the whole book has a very contemporary and pleasing feel to it. The subject matter is wide and varied, and is by no means limited to Cornwall's borders. Emotions are stretched in all directions, but the Cornish dry-wit, humour and general sense of fun is never far away. Clive's poetry has been described as user-friendly and he has been described as a peoples-poet, since his poetry is very easy to read and understand. Despite this he still manages to convey a very powerful and compelling message. This book does not allow normal conventions to restrict it. The book starts with The End, allows some of its text to slope at gravity defying angles and with the poem Happiless, boasts the shortest published poem in the world. Packed with sixty poems accompanied by sixty stunning images, everyone who reads it seems to have their own particular favourites. This is a book which really does have something for everyone. You can purchase this book via www.emuhouse.co.uk or from a growing list of retailers, as detailed on the emuhouse website. Most people are very surprised at the books very competitive pricing. This book has been deliberately priced to make a quality gift, at a very affordable price.

112 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

I am widely known as Cornish Poet Clive Blake and I am both a published poet and a performance poet. My latest book 'Clive's Uni-Verse -A Cornishman's take on life'.

I am very proud of my Celtic and Cornish roots, my Homeland being Cornwall on the South Western most tip of the UK.

I have Video Channels on both Vimeo and YouTube and as well as writing poetry I perform it as a Performance Poet under the banner of 'Clive Live'.

I had my first book published in 2009 entitled 'View Points and Points of View' and my latest book entitled 'Clive's Uni-Verse - A Cornishman's take on life' by Olympia Publishers, being published in January 2022.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, I bought it mainly for the fantastic photography by Chris Robbins and its Cornish connections. I don't consider myself to be a poetry lover as such, but Clive Blake's poetry is so humourous, thought provoking, easily accessible and refreshingly different, that I'm now a fully fledged poetry loving convert! The joint authors actually call their book a 'Phoetry Book', because poems and photos are blended together to create a very powerful and evocative, overall effect. I do indeed leave this book on my coffee table and can't resist picking it up and 'lucky-dipping' through the sixty different poem/photo combinations. I'd recommend it as both an essential read for anyone and as an ideal gift. It will certainly solve my 'annual present dilemma' this Christmas.

[David S · Rating 5 out of 5]

We saw Clive Blake performing some of his poetry at this years Fowey Fringe Festival, Cornwall UK and really enjoyed the poems and his very annimated style of performing them. He said during the performance that his poetry style was like a combination of William Blake, Pam Ayres and Tommy Cooper, I wouldn't disagree with this description. We (me plus nephew and niece) enjoyed the performance so much I bought the book. I wasn't disappointed, the book contains Clive's quirky and highly amusing poetry style with some fantastic photographs. The poems and photography work amazingly well together.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be both entertaining and deep with humour and photos a really good read

[Leslie Benett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a superb little gem,with quirky poems written by Clive Blake brought to life by the evocative photographs of Chris Robbins.A must for any coffee table,don`t miss it...

[Nathanrb · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Poetry, you'll love this. Fantastic.

[Roger Jardine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great juxtoposition of poems and pictures. Well done.

[Julie Rider · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful book! The poetry is just wonderful and it's complimented so well by fabulous photographs. I would certainly recommend it to anyone as it's full of fun, humour, sadness, passion, history and pulls at the old heartstrings in a big way. I have bought several copies for friends and family members and everyone has loved it too. Clive Blake and Chris Robins make a brilliant partnership and the books appeals to young and old alike. With Christmas looming, it would make a superb present. An excellent read and at an incredibly low price. Buy it and see for yourself!!

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most interesting take on the world. Makes for a both enjoyable and thought provoking read. The author has a unique way with words and to match that to some first class photos was an ingenious idea.

[Kathryn Dechairo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way to much rhyming for my taste . . . . a little simplistic in places with some good pieces mixed in.