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Synopsis
A book-length poem in bilingual form, with text and drawings by Stephen Watts and translation into Italian by Cristina Viti. Inspired by the migration of the author’s grandfather from the Italian Alps to London, the poem opens into a deep and lyrical meditation on language, memory and place. "A profoundly moving meditation on loss, history, roots and much else. The layerings and the cameos of visits and characters are ice-axed, chiselled in the mind rather than simply sketched." Simon Jenner "This 'meditation'... is a most moving, energetic and substantial piece." David Constantine
Stephen Watts' poetry manages to be both concrete and emotional, lyrical and political. This synthesis makes reading Mountain language a complex pleasure, one to be repeated again and again. There is nothing disposable about this seriously conceived work.The emotion and experience are shared, almost collective, rather than inward looking or self indulgent. Mountain landscape, ways of life long gone, which were themselves a mixed blessing, the sense of the human in nature, migration, loss and return - this is synthetic poetry of the highest order. My Italian is just good enough to know that I can send copies of this book to friends in Italy, and they will be able to fully share the pleasure thanks to Cristina Viti's caring translation.
Penny Cole
Have you read Mountain Language / Lingua di Montagna by Cristina Viti, Stephen Watts? - Add your own review
