Katie Donovan Boeken

Highlighting the contributions of women throughout Irish history, this collection features writings by and about notable figures from Queen Maeve of Connaught to President Mary Robinson. It offers insights into how these women have been perceived and interpreted by their peers, showcasing their diverse roles and impact on Irish society. The volume serves as a significant tribute to the voices and experiences of Irish women, providing a rich tapestry of narratives that reflect their strength and influence.

Exploring themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, this poetry collection is divided into four parts, each reflecting a season. The imagery captures daily experiences and emotions, offering readers a sense of understanding and connection. With lines that resonate deeply, such as "Silver linings are pinned to the ground," the poems invite readers to navigate their own feelings and experiences. This lyrical journey encourages reflection and highlights the shared human experience, reminding us that we are never truly alone.

Katie Donovan is a leading Irish poet. Rootling draws on three previous Bloodaxe collections, Watermelon Man (1993), Entering the Mare (1997) and Day of the Dead (2002), together with a whole collection of new work.

This powerful new collection combines Katie Donovan's unflinching insight into our human foibles with her exceptional descriptive gift. The years of her husband's throat cancer are charted in poems by turns tender, harsh and darkly humorous.

By turns lyrical and sardonic, this new collection from Katie Donovan is characteristically watery – candid and uncompromising in its refusal to inhabit the safer reaches of the shore. Themes of loss, widowhood and ageing co-exist with observations of her wild garden and its inhabitants, including a mangy fox she helps to survive.