I’m pleased to welcome Geoff to my blog today with his latest book: The Sincerest Form of Poetry which released on 24th September. I really enjoyed reading!
My review:
This is a cleverly done first collection of poetry which uses well-known poems as an inspiration point and then gives them the Geoff Le Pard Treatment! It begins with a short introduction about his ‘urge to write poetry,’ inspired by his father, Desmond Le Pard, who was also a poet.
The Sincerest Form of Poetry pays tribute to and jokingly rewrites the words of a wonderful array of poets and even the Bard, Shakespeare himself! If you have ever met Geoff, (either virtually or in person,) you’ll know that he can get away with this! He is entertaining, amusing and has a wonderful way with words, .
In The Sincerest Form of Poetry nothing is off limits, toilet humour included. The first poem The Relief of Waterloo (After The Listeners, Walter de la Mare,) praises the public toilet and an urgent need to use it! We’ve all been there and can relate to that!
Here are just some of my favourite poems in the collection:
Dog at Leisure (Leisure, William Henry Davies.)
How Do I Love You? (Sonnets From Elizabeth Barrett Browning.)
Contradicting The Curmudgeon (This be the verse, Philip Larkin)
Mrs Patterson (Allan Ahlberg: Please Mrs. Butler)
The Inner Musings of Clouds (Daffodils, William Wordsworth)
Plus these wonderful sonnets, some of which are on more serious, or heartfelt topics:
Hand me Down, Global Warming, and Trick or Treat.
And so many others… rather than list them all, save me a huge job and get yourself a copy!
My rating: 5 stars.
To date, Geoff has released a dozen books. He has been busy! No wonder he is drawing red spectacles and raised eyebrows and dots under noses! Put that red pen away Geoff!
Geoff Le Pard started writing to entertain in 2006. He hasn’t left his keyboard since. When he’s not churning out novels he writes some maudlin self-indulgent poetry, short fiction and blogs at geofflepard.com. He walks the dog for mutual inspiration and most of his best ideas come out of these strolls. He also cooks with passion if not precision.
My Father and Other Liars is a thriller set in the near future and takes its heroes, Maurice and Lori-Ann on a helter-skelter chase across continents.
Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle is a coming of age story. Set in 1976 the hero Harry Spittle is home from university for the holidays. He has three goals: to keep away from his family, earn money and hopefully have sex. Inevitably his summer turns out to be very different to that anticipated.
In this, the second book in the Harry Spittle Sagas, it’s 1981 and Harry is training to be a solicitor. His private life is a bit of a mess and he’s far from convinced the law is for him. Then an old acquaintance from his hotel days appears demanding Harry write his will. When he dies somewhat mysteriously a few days later and leaves Harry in charge of sorting out his affairs, Harry soon realises this will be no ordinary piece of work. After all, his now deceased client inherited a criminal empire and several people are very interested in what is to become of it.
The third instalment of the Harry Spittle Sagas moves on the 1987. Harry is now a senior lawyer with a well-regarded City of London firm, aspiring to a partnership. However, one evening Harry finds the head of the Private Client department dead over his desk, in a very compromising situation. The senior partner offers to sort things out, to avoid Harry embarrassment but soon matters take a sinister turn and Harry is fighting for his career, his freedom and eventually his life as he wrestles with dilemma on dilemma. Will Harry save the day? Will he save himself?
Life in a Grain of Sand is a 30 story anthology covering many genres: fantasy, romance, humour, thriller, espionage, conspiracy theories, MG and indeed something for everyone. All the stories were written during Nano 2015
Salisbury Square is a dark thriller set in present day London where a homeless woman and a Polish man, escaping the police at home, form an unlikely alliance to save themselves.
This is available here
Buster & Moo is about about two couples and the dog whose ownership passes from one to the other. When the couples meet, via the dog, the previously hidden cracks in their relationships surface and events begin to spiral out of control. If the relationships are to survive there is room for only one hero but who will that be?
Life in a Flash is a set of super short fiction, flash and micro fiction that should keep you engaged and amused for ages
Apprenticed To My Mother describes the period after my father died when I thought I was to play the role of dutiful son, while Mum wanted a new, improved version of her husband – a sort of Desmond 2.0. We both had a lot to learn in those five years, with a lot of laughs and a few tears as we went.
Life in a Conversation is an anthology of short and super short fiction that explores connections through humour, speech and everything besides. If you enjoy the funny, the weird and the heart-rending then you’ll be sure to find something here.
When Martin suggests to Pete and Chris that they spend a week walking, the Cotswolds Way, ostensibly it’s to help Chris overcome the loss of his wife, Diane. Each of them, though, has their own agenda and, as the week progresses, cracks in their friendship widen with unseen and horrifying consequences.
Famous poets reimagined, sonnets of all kinds, this poerty selection has something for all tastes, from the funny, to the poignant to the thought-provoking and always written with love and passion.
Geoff Le Pard’s Amazon Author Page
Wishing Geoff every success with his first poetry book. Poetry combined with laughter has to be a winning pairing that is bound to succeed.
Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
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It’s a really fun book of poems 💜
Yes it is Ritu. Really enjoyed. 🙂
Me too!
Yes, it really is. So fun. <3
Terrific review Marje and Geoff’s collection sounds both creative and entertaining..xx
Yes it is. I read it for the second time yesterday whilst out for lunch at a cafe. An enjoyable collection that will make you laugh. Sally.
Thanks again for the recommendation Marje…hugsx
Thanks Sally
A wonderful review, Marje. This is a great book of poems.
A wonderful review, Marje. I’ve seen Geoff’s book making the rounds with some wonderful reviews. Thanks for sharing and congrats to Geoff!
Thanks Diana, people have been v generous wit their time and space
Aww it’s been my pleasure Diana. Love sharing good news in our writing community. 🙂
A great review of Geoff’s book. He has a great way with words and I love his wit.
Yes he does Darlene. I always enjoy a good giggle!