Maurice Manning is a writer whose work delves into the complexities of modern Irish politics. His approach often blends insightful analysis with the narrative tension found in political thrillers, exploring themes of power, betrayal, and societal change. His writing is characterized by a deep understanding of the political landscape, offering readers a compelling examination of the forces that shape nations. Manning's perspective is informed by his extensive experience in public service, lending an authentic voice to his explorations of governance and influence.
Set against the backdrop of Kentucky's mountain country, this collection features ballad-like narratives that celebrate the unique beauty and rich stories of its inhabitants. Through loose, unrhymed iambic tetrameter, Manning portrays the complexities of his neighbors and family, revealing that no one is truly common. The work blends humor, philosophy, and tragedy, offering a heartfelt tribute to a fading slice of American culture. Its accessibility and sincerity stand in contrast to contemporary verse, solidifying Manning's status as a significant voice in poetry.
From church barn to apple orchard, from snow-covered pasture to secret moonshine cabin, Manning's Snakedoctor reinvigorates the Kentucky pastoral through poems that find light in shadow, good in evil, love in a father's stinging blow. Maurice Manning returns to the Kentucky countryside in his eighth collection, Snakedoctor. Existing between haunting memory and pastoral dreamscape, this quiet collection showcases Manning's storytelling at its finest. Simple, four-beat lines hold epiphanies--"the barn is just an empty church"-- and announce visits from seven-foot strangers named Mr. True. Here, God is reimagined as a "serious banjo player" who calls the world to sing. And sing Manning does. Through rhyme, blues, and haiku, Snakedoctor trains our ears to hear music in the mundane, to find beauty all around us: in the annotated margins of a well-read book, the flight of a father's shadow puppet, the yellow centers of daisies. Punctuated by rain's pitter-patter on a tin wash tub, and the "ring of lonely" in a farmer's voice as he calls his cattle home, Snakedoctor is a collection that will leave you wanting to dog-ear its pages. From childhood to fatherhood, church barn to apple orchard, moonshine to moonbeam, we leave these poems understanding Manning's wish: "I wanted to make a prayer and I did, / in half-sleep after the dream."
The narrative poems vividly portray the life of frontiersman Daniel Boone, intertwining themes of beauty and struggle in early America. Readers experience Boone's journey through war and wilderness, witnessing the nation's birth alongside the rich landscapes and wildlife. The collection delves into personal loss as Boone faces the deaths of his brother and wife, while also exploring the profound friendship he forms with a slave named Derry, highlighting resilience and human connection in a transformative era.
The collection features seventy unpunctuated poems that flow seamlessly, reflecting Maurice Manning's deep appreciation for nature and its wonders. Through his verses, he expresses gratitude for the enigmatic force behind creation, inviting readers to explore the beauty and intricacies of the natural world.
Set in a mythical landscape reminiscent of Kentucky, the narrative unfolds in Fog Town Holler, where the voices and lives of hill people are brought to life. Drawing inspiration from his own roots and memories, the author crafts a vivid portrayal that echoes the traditions and struggles of these characters, akin to the literary worlds of E. A. Robinson and Faulkner. This work serves as a celebration of heritage and community, capturing the essence of a unique cultural identity.
