{"id":2845,"date":"2009-12-23T16:02:51","date_gmt":"2009-12-23T15:02:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uncarved.org\/blog\/?p=2845"},"modified":"2012-03-10T17:22:06","modified_gmt":"2012-03-10T17:22:06","slug":"the-books-of-roger-robinson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uncarved.org\/blog\/2009\/12\/the-books-of-roger-robinson\/","title":{"rendered":"The books of Roger Robinson"},"content":{"rendered":"

Surely everyone has got hold of the King Midas Sound<\/a> album now? So you’ve all been enjoying Roger’s vocals and lyrics to the full for your winter soundtrack.<\/p>\n

Perhaps it’s also time to curl up by the fire with a good book?<\/p>\n

\"roger<\/a><\/p>\n

Adventures in 3D (Lubin and Kleyner, 2002)<\/strong><\/p>\n

A collection of short stories. Some nice themes including someone being scared of splitting up with their girlfriend because she is a sixth dan in karate, making your own crop circles, office politics, blood fetishes, weed dealing. I think it’s really well written – not overtly “extreme” despite some of the subject matter. Some nice wry observations.<\/p>\n

\"roger<\/a><\/p>\n

Suitcase (Waterways, 2004)<\/strong><\/p>\n

His first collection of poetry. You know how I really don’t get on well with poetry, right? Well Roger’s stuff is the exception (along with Tim Wells<\/a>). I guess this might be because he covers topics which resonate with me or because there is a subcultural\/sonic association. Or maybe I am (gasp!) simply getting into poetry.<\/p>\n

It helps a lot to be able to hear Roger’s voice in your head when reading this, I think. (Same as William Burroughs, innit). I like the powerful quietness this book conjurs up.<\/p>\n

Lots of well observed, well crafted poems about girls, growing up, Trinidad, England. There is nothing extraneous here – nothing flowery, just precise evocative words making pictures for you.<\/p>\n

“Uncle Robert’s letter to my Father” is an incredibly powerful tale of a young Caribbean man who happens to fancy other men.<\/p>\n

\"roger<\/a><\/p>\n

Suckle (Waterways, 2009)<\/strong><\/p>\n

His latest collection of poems. Similar themes but maybe more emphasis on music:<\/p>\n

“In 1984 my sister was serious about dancing.
\nShe was the only girl dancer in the Emperor’s
\ndance crew. Probably the only girl breaker
\nTrinidad, but that wasn’t enough for her…”<\/em><\/p>\n

(Electric Boogaloo)<\/p>\n

or how about:<\/p>\n

“Uncle Clyde had acquired a collection
\nof old calypsonians on shellac 45s.
\nEach started with a pr0longed scratch
\nand hiss. As the orchestras kicked in
\nand the singing hit, you could see him
\ndoing the silliest of made up dances.
\nNot for my entertainment; that
\nwas what the music made him do…”<\/em><\/p>\n

(The Urgency of Sound) <\/em><\/p>\n

Order Adventures in 3D, Suitcase <\/em>and Suckle <\/em>direct from Flipped Eye<\/a>.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=J7zS2r4S2M4<\/em><\/p>\n