John Gallas Books

Eleventh Carcanet collection from New Zealand poet John Gallas, following 2017's The Little Sublime Comedy.

A funny and clever contemporary retelling of Dante which examines the concept of sin and humanity in the 21st century.

"Doctor Caim has been summoned. A village ravaged by the black death is sorely in need of his expertise. Rich and poor alike, all seek his services. As Doctor Caim concocts his cures, gathering roses and carnations, lemon balm and mint, he muses on the world around hime and the many people he treats." -- page [4] of cover

Opens in Mongolia with a poem called Yoghurt. In Ulan Bator Hoo Gerjan is seeking legal advice. This is the first of 12 narratives in this book interspersed with lyric moments such as the one involving Samuel Beckett's telephone, and a metaphysical narrative bringing a message from the Vatican.