Description

Book Synopsis


Trade Review
"In Polari, John Barton has plugged language into all sorts of power sources, exploring the intricacies of structure and design through the politics of identity. Whether he's writing about sex or marmalade-making, he stares down desire, delving into needs 'laid bare for each seductive watcher and the one he watches.' These are opulent, daring poems." -- Barry Dempster
"In Polari, Barton weaves an impressive soundscape, clothing old bones — like the villanelle, sonnet, glosa, and many others — with fresh clobber. With all the refined heft of a queer life lived long in language, this book pumps with the vitality of sex, thought, and rhyme. Sometimes traditional, sometimes blue, sometimes zhooshy and new, this is poetry plated for pleasure." -- Shane Rhodes
"John Barton's poetry swings with lyric intelligence and worldly brilliance, like a contemporary Auden. Polari is absolutely beguiling." -- D.A. Powell

Polari

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    £14.39

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    RRP £15.99 – you save £1.60 (10%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Tue 4 Aug 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by John Barton

    5 in stock

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

      View other formats and editions of Polari by John Barton

      Publisher: Goose Lane Editions
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 22/04/2014
      ISBN13: 9780864923868, 978-0864923868
      ISBN10: 864923864
      Also in:
      Poetry

      Description

      Book Synopsis


      Trade Review
      "In Polari, John Barton has plugged language into all sorts of power sources, exploring the intricacies of structure and design through the politics of identity. Whether he's writing about sex or marmalade-making, he stares down desire, delving into needs 'laid bare for each seductive watcher and the one he watches.' These are opulent, daring poems." -- Barry Dempster
      "In Polari, Barton weaves an impressive soundscape, clothing old bones — like the villanelle, sonnet, glosa, and many others — with fresh clobber. With all the refined heft of a queer life lived long in language, this book pumps with the vitality of sex, thought, and rhyme. Sometimes traditional, sometimes blue, sometimes zhooshy and new, this is poetry plated for pleasure." -- Shane Rhodes
      "John Barton's poetry swings with lyric intelligence and worldly brilliance, like a contemporary Auden. Polari is absolutely beguiling." -- D.A. Powell

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