Memoirs of a Master Novelist

 My friends would tell you I'm a difficult figure to move, but I felt myself touched by the words of the dear friends and relations of Graham Joyce. The hour spent at the tribute event was an hour well spent. 

His wife spoke of his early career, moving both to Greece and into the literary world. I heard about the inspiring impact he had on many, including a student to whom he sent a poem of advice. A journalist close to him summarised some key moments in his literary career.

We also heard a recording of Graham Joyce himself reading from Some Kind of Fairytale and the event concluded with  oddly poignant parting words from the man himself, as read by DMU's own Niki Valentine.

 It was a fittingly creative requiem for a writer who managed to affect so many.


Matthew Budge

A glimpse of the future

 Reading creative work is difficult so I have great respect for the three DMU postgraduates who took part in the showcase at Cultural Exchanges. 

 

Emma Conway's thoughtful readings evoked a fantastical SciFi world of 3-D printing where humanity is eventually overrun. Laurie Cusack gave an impassioned and flavoursome recitation of various scenes of distinctly Irish origin; the refrain of “Burn the Bastards” really stuck with me. Finally Pam Thompson gave us a glimpse of her ekphrastic poetry (including a gripping pantoum) which revolved around a holographic timepiece and a ship in a giant bottle.

This eclectic group of writers was a great reflection of the literary world. 


Matthew Budge