Franks' first full collection of poems is a rich mixture of wit and lyricism.
His style ranges from exquisite miniatures to ambitious narratives which breathe new life into the English ballad form.
Here too are parodies of and tributes to such masters as John Donne, Matthew Arnold, John Clare and Philip Larkin.
These poems display a mastery of style and an unfailing ear for the harmonies and discords of human affairs.
"Poetry of great musicality."
Jo Shapcott, president of the Poetry Society.
"A modern day Sydney Carter"
John Rety, co-founder of Torriano Poetry.
"...worthy of Shelley. Franks is the genuine thing."
Professor Ross Woodman, author of The Apocalyptic Vision in the Poetry of Shelley
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Alan Franks
Alan Franks is an
award-winning author, playwright and musician. His plays include The
Mother Tongue and his fiction includes Boychester's Bugle, published by
Heinemann and New English Library. Going Over, now published in a
collection of his short fiction by Muswell Press, won the 2003 novella
competition run by New Writer Magazine. As a songwriter he has made four
albums with the singer Patty Vetta; one of the tracks, The Wishfulness
Waltz, was recorded by the veteran English band Fairport Convention. His
poetry has won several prizes, including the inaugural Wigtown
Competition, Scotland's largest. Unmade Roads, also published by Muswell
Press, includes his winning entries in the Plough and Petra Kenney
competitions. He has been described, by the late John Rety, co-founder
of Torriano Poetry, as "a modern day Sydney Carter." He has written for
The Times for more than thirty years, covering a wide variety of topics
in the arts and social affairs, and interviewing artists as diverse as
Paul McCartney, Arthur Miller and Judi Dench. He has twice been
nominated for a British Press Award.
This page features Alan reading 'The Lift' from Unmade Roads. 'The Lift' was the inaugural winner of the Wigtown Poetry Prize.
