| Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt (Arena Books) |  | Author: John Cooper Clarke
Publisher: Arena Arrow
Category: Book
Buy Used: £105.75
Used (2) from £105.75
Avg. Customer Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 242553
Media: Paperback
Pages: 112
ISBN: 0099312409
EAN: 9780099312406
ASIN: 0099312409
Publication Date: April 28, 1983
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
superlative July 25, 2006
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I had to fight it out with six other bidders on ebay to get hold of this book; a mere book of so-called punk-poetry indeed. But what a book. The first (excellent) review says it all really, but I would just like to add that the art work by Steve Maguire should be praised too. It's spot on.
JCC's poems - all written in the 70's and early 80's really stand the test of time. They work for me, and I only read them for the first time last year, first on his website, and then this book. However, I'm not aware he has had any new poetry written/published since then, and more's the pity.
With performance poetry (allegedly) being in the ascendent, this book really is, dare I say, essential reading to anyone who is interested in this art form, either as a writer/performer, or a fan of the medium. It baffles me as to why this book hasn't been reprinted; in fact I think it's downright criminal. It would sell by the shed load, and deservedly so. So come on publishers, get your finger out, or are you just going to throw a million more quid at the deeply ordinary Murray Lachlan Young?
May I also recommend JCC music poetry cd's such as "Snap, Crackle and Bop" too: the added dimension of musical accompaniment really brings out the spirit of his poetry, although some tracks are more succesful than others. Worth checking out though.
I understand that JCC is still performing live. Wouldn't it would be lovely if a DVD/CD performance of his was available too?
Maybe that's too much wishful thinking..
Defies Description! January 22, 2005
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
Wow! John Cooper Clarke defies pigeonholing and is unlike any poet you will ever read. A punk before punk, an alternative comedian before alternative comedy and cool poetry before the word cool existed. His urbane style is fast paced, mainly due to its very restrictive metre and rhyme scheme, but his choice of subject matter, skill for parody and passion for language set him apart from other "funny" poets such as Roger McGough. He is ultimately modern, but his style most resembles the Augustine man of letters, Alexander Pope. However, he goes beyond Pope by offering what is at once a brilliant evocation of the rhythm and humour of real life and also a wonderful glimpse into the life of this die-hard punk. I have seen John Cooper Clarke live and you cannot enjoy his poetry unless you see him thus, but if you don't have the opportunity: imagine a gangly punk in leggings standing there, sounding slightly drunk and fast-pacing his way through his hilarious poetry, as well as other moments of comedy. If you really love this book, then please contact the publishers and try to get it back in print (where it belongs).
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