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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'As the title of his first collection indicates – The Gods Ash Their Cigarettes (1978) – right from the beginning of his career Kelen’s poems have stood out for their quirky titles and wry humour. Other notable features of his work are his strong and continuing interest in popular culture and his use of a contemporary colloquial voice.
'Like most of his generation, Stephen Kelen has been a great traveller so it is not surprising that he has written many poems dealing with life in countries outside Australia. While there are poems here dealing with many parts of the world, there is a particular focus on the USA and on Vietnam. In his travel poems Kelen is less interested in the natural world than in the man-made one and those who inhabit it: their lifestyles, beliefs, histories, and how these have both changed over time or resisted change. And, as always, he surprises us with his highly individual take on the familiar as well as the exotic.' (Publication summary)
Notes
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Booked launched in Canberra at Paperchain bookstore, Friday 24 February 2012.
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Dedication: for my family.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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What I’m Reading
2014
single work
column
— Appears in: Meanjin Online 2014; -
Chris Mooney-Singh Reviews S.K. Kelen
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: Cordite Poetry Review , December no. 44.0 2013;
— Review of Island Earth : New and Selected Poems 2012 selected work poetry -
Vernacular Exploration of a Place We Call Home
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 11-12 August 2012; (p. 23)
— Review of Island Earth : New and Selected Poems 2012 selected work poetry -
Trouble at Mill
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , May no. 341 2012; (p. 66)
— Review of Island Earth : New and Selected Poems 2012 selected work poetry -
Witty, Wide and Impressive
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 12 May 2012; (p. 26)
— Review of Island Earth : New and Selected Poems 2012 selected work poetry
-
Witty, Wide and Impressive
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 12 May 2012; (p. 26)
— Review of Island Earth : New and Selected Poems 2012 selected work poetry -
Trouble at Mill
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , May no. 341 2012; (p. 66)
— Review of Island Earth : New and Selected Poems 2012 selected work poetry -
Vernacular Exploration of a Place We Call Home
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 11-12 August 2012; (p. 23)
— Review of Island Earth : New and Selected Poems 2012 selected work poetry -
Review : Island Earth
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Rabbit , Winter no. 5 2012; (p. 166-172)
— Review of Island Earth : New and Selected Poems 2012 selected work poetry -
Chris Mooney-Singh Reviews S.K. Kelen
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: Cordite Poetry Review , December no. 44.0 2013;
— Review of Island Earth : New and Selected Poems 2012 selected work poetry -
What I’m Reading
2014
single work
column
— Appears in: Meanjin Online 2014;
Awards
- 2013 shortlisted Australian Capital Territory Book of the Year Award