by Seán Lysaght
I need to clarify that "Carnival Masks" is actually a poetry collection, not fiction as initially categorized. This is Seán Lysaght's first new poetry collection since "The Mouth of a River" appeared in 2007. The poems begin in the familiar territory of North Mayo, tracking seasonal changes through careful observation. Lysaght captures skylarks calling in January, March and April winds, swallows returning, and late August storms striking the mountains. The collection includes sonnets that engage with Spenser's work and translations of poems by Goethe and Rilke. The book's center features Venetian epigrams that lead into Mediterranean settings. Lysaght explores the French Riviera's sensual atmosphere, Tuscan countryside and coastlines, and autumn olive groves. These European landscapes expand the collection's scope beyond Ireland's western edge to embrace the wider Mediterranean world.
Genres: nature, literary-fiction, poetry, european-literature
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, lyrical
Tropes: nature-writing
Setting: North Mayo, Venetian, French Riviera, Tuscany
Period: January, March, April, August
Paperback · Gallery Books