Memories of a Swedish Grandmother

(Paperback, International)

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Description

In her debut colllection, Sarah Windebank explores her Swedish roots, and especially the influence of Mormor, her grandmother, who brought her up until she was sixteen. Growing up in a household where her mother and grandmother always spoke to each other in a foreign language, but never taught her, she picked up `glittering fragments, rather like a magpie'. With nods to Sylvia Plath and Elizabeth Bishop, this is an immersive collection of poetry full of accent and domestic detail, at once foreign and familiar. SPOTLIGHT is an Arts Council England-supported collaboration between Myriad, Creative Future and New Writing South to discover, guide and support marginalised and under-represented writers. In the same series: Cora Vincent by Georgina Aboud; Stroking Cerberus by Jacqueline Haskell; Summon by Elizabeth Ridout; Crumbs by Ana Tewson-Bozic and The Haunting of Strawberry Water by Tara Gould.

Reviews

'This dazzling series shows that if the barriers can be vaulted there is true beauty to be had from the lesser-walked streets of literature. These works are both nourishing and inspiring, and a gift to any reader.' Kerry Hudson. 'Sarah Windeback writes evocative and moving poems that show a fine understanding of the effects of a broad range of forms. Whether remembering family or describing lovers, the surface of her phrasing brims with engaging physicality and an array of textures. At the same time, her rhythms conjure up a compelling intimacy that lingers after the reader has left the page.' John McCullough. 'Spans generations and a multitude of feelings, places and even languages.' Viva Brighton.

Author Bio

Sarah Windebank has an English father and a Swedish mother. She has degrees from University College London and the University of Sussex and has taught English Literature and Language in China and the UK. She lives in Brighton.