The Harbour Beyond the Movie: Salt Modern Poets

Luke Kennard is the author of four volumes of poetry and two pamphlets. He lectures in creative writing at the University of Birmingham.

Kennard's imaginative range is constantly awe-inspiring, coupling as it does seeming absurdities with healthy doses of down-to-earthiness to concoct, well, I don't care to try to name what it concocts, because to name it would spoil my day. -- Martin Stannard Litter Magazine He is a talent to watch out for. He's got it. Let's hope he doesn't lose it, either to the world of performance cliche or the mainstream's emasculating embrace. -- Tim Allen Terrible Work Original and startlingly imaginative lyrical pyrotechnics … -- Nathan Thompson Terrible Work Recent Salt books include an outstanding first collection of poems and prose by Luke Kennard, The Harbour Beyond the Movie. His language is exciting and it feels to me that he's a truly 21st-century writer, taking inspiration from all over the place, unafraid of barriers and conventions. -- Ian McMillan The Times Luke is around ten years younger than any finalist in the award's 16-year history with most not reaching this level until their 30s or 40s. The Forward Prize for best collection is worth GBP10,000 and has been won in the past by poets including Seamus Heaney and Carol Ann Duffy. Luke is one of six on the short-list this year alongside Eavan Boland, Sean O'Brien, Jack Mapange, John Burnside and Adam Thorpe. The results will be announced on October 3, the day before National Poetry Day, at a ceremony in London. Chard and Ilminster News … merit and reward hardly ever coincide in this wicked world, and it's always thrilling to see a major talent emerging. -- Philip Hensher The Independent When was the last time you laughed out loud at a poem? If you can't remember (and chances are you can't), treat yourself to The Harbour Beyond the Movie. Luke Kennard considers pressing contemporary issues -- from comparative economics to journalistic accountability -- via a wittily didactic brand of surrealism which renders the politics palatable … Kennard's collection proves that humour is a neglected but effective tool in the poet's arsenal. -- Sarah Crown The Guardian