Description

Book Synopsis
Martial is alive and kicking in Brendan Kennelly's latter-day Dublin versions of the Spanish Roman poet. He is a satirist trying to define generosity, happiness and love, with scurrilous candour and piercing clarity, in brief punchy poems. But no matter how savage his attacks, he is always playful and compassionate. He is a sharp, visionary writer who knows the world about him and is in touch with the world within himself, at once bewildered, attentive and bitingly articulate. Martial Art is a book that packs a punch.

Trade Review
"If Martial had been a boxer, he'd have developed a new kind of knockout punch, smiling at his victim as he walked back to his corner. His themes are many and varied. He writes of money, food, wine, furniture, style, power, sex, corruption, love, hatred.... That's Rome two thousand years ago. That's Dublin today.... Is one translating Martial? Or is Martial, smiling and mischievous as ever, translating the translator?"

Martial Art

    Product form

    A Paperback by Brendan Kennelly

    £7.55

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £7.95 – you save £0.40 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Mon 12 Oct 2026.

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Martial Art by Brendan Kennelly

      Book details

      Publisher Bloodaxe Books Ltd
      Published 24 April 2003
      ISBN-13 9781852246211
      978-1852246211
      ISBN-10 1852246219

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Martial is alive and kicking in Brendan Kennelly's latter-day Dublin versions of the Spanish Roman poet. He is a satirist trying to define generosity, happiness and love, with scurrilous candour and piercing clarity, in brief punchy poems. But no matter how savage his attacks, he is always playful and compassionate. He is a sharp, visionary writer who knows the world about him and is in touch with the world within himself, at once bewildered, attentive and bitingly articulate. Martial Art is a book that packs a punch.

      Trade Review
      "If Martial had been a boxer, he'd have developed a new kind of knockout punch, smiling at his victim as he walked back to his corner. His themes are many and varied. He writes of money, food, wine, furniture, style, power, sex, corruption, love, hatred.... That's Rome two thousand years ago. That's Dublin today.... Is one translating Martial? Or is Martial, smiling and mischievous as ever, translating the translator?"

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account