More Scarecrow Than Pirate

More Scarecrow than Pirate, a collection of poems by Karen Gemma Brewer, demonstrates Karens versatility, sensitivity and humour. Her love of words is infectious. She plays with them like toys, often with hilarious consequences. Her comic gift isn't limited to puns. Sometimes she juxtaposes words which make you sit up almost in a jolt, marvelling at the originality. Under the absurdity and hyperbole, she explores some serious themes, often in a visceral way that takes the reader by surprise.

In the past Karen has cited Spike Milligan and Max Boyce as influences. In her shorter poems she sometimes reaches Emily Dickinson-type depths of concise ambiguity. Her nature writing, a harshness underpinned with a surprising tenderness, is sometimes reminiscent of RS Thomas, though all distilled of course through Karen's unique voice.