The Special

by David Stavanger

Winner of the 2013 Thomas Shapcott Award. Both fun and playful, Stavanger's poems display wit and beguiling originality. They shift from the oddball to the vulnerable and from the zany to the deeply meditative . . Stavanger's collection embodies a spirit of the post-post-modern in both intellect and spark, while playing off cool disjunctions against electrifying erudition. There is a strong trace of the performative and dramatic in these poems a" Stavanger's flair for performance poetry gives this award-winning collection a distinct and likeable flavour.

• ISBN13: 9780702253195
• Publish Date: 15 July 2014 (first published 1 January 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: AU
• Imprint: University of Queensland Press
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 96
• Language: English

Reviews

[Kelly]

3½ Stars.
The Special isn't my usual read, but a series a witty, intelligent and poignant stages of life told in the form of a series of poems. David Stavanger shares his first hand account of mental illness, first love, forever love, heartbreak and the dark and light in between. Rather than a traditional review, I'd love to share a few of my favourite lines, as poetry is a very personal journey and translated differently by each reader.

You were taller when we met, I was smaller when you left.
After the break. Page 21.

But not all of the entries are based on grief or sadness, some are quite humorous too.

Regarding your phone bill, it is overdue.
There seem to be a lot of collect calls to, to Errol Flynn.
He can't help you with the girls, he hasn't made a film in years.
Captain Blood. Page 26.

In the dark, there's enough space to forget.
In the dark, forgetting is never enough.
Light. Page 39.

By far my favourite is titled The Bear. It's speaks of a simple child's toy who isn't living, but can be breathed life into. It's just lovely. David Stavanger is an incredible artist, as poetry is something far more than being an author, it's a mastery of words that are used to instill light in others, to share feelings and give the reader a sense of reflection and power to interpret the work to comfort, ignite and empower. A beautiful read.