Sometimes a Great Notion

Long admired for his books of poetry, most recentlyChina BluesandDancing in the Dark, David Donnell's poems continue to surprise and amaze us with their cool jazz of spontaneity and imaginative logic. A sensual and intellectual feast,Sometimes a Great Notionis a deconstruction of the contemporary artist's life; it's also a tough, compassionate look at the future of the future and our philosophy of love. Culinary adventures and geography juxtapose with Japanese culture, erotic interludes are interrupted by notes on Alex Colville, giving us the clearest picture of convergence theory we've had since Marshall McLuhan was a young man. Here, in poems like "Luce" or "Pillows," Donnell pushes the boundaries of minimalism in original and subtle ways and succeeds like peach ice cream on a hot day. Moment after moment, this is a provocative and refreshing book.

<b>David Donnell</b>’s previous books of poetry include <i>Settlements</i>, winner of the Governor General’s Award for Poetry;<i> Water Street Days</i>; <i>China Blues</i>, winner of the City of Toronto Book Award; and<i> Dancing in the Dark</i>. His poetry has been widely anthologized in Canada and the U.S. He teaches and reviews and lives in Toronto.