This is Spence’s first book of poetry since Glasgow Zen. He evokes the essence of the seasons with this cycle of haiku.
“The 150 pieces in this exquisite collection take the reader through the unfolding beauty of the passing seasons, their fleeting delights presented in a pleasing pocket-size format.”
scotland On Sunday
See more reviews
“How much pure energy can be packed into a book that fits into a hand, a book so small it will slip easily into a back pocket? Seasons of theHeart, Alan Spence’s first poetry collection since Glasgow Zen, testifies in 150 haiku to the sheer potential of the small. It is a reminder of the power of simplicity … Seasons of the Heart becomes a meditative and sustained delivery of both energy and purity. Spence is a calm and necessary visionary … This is Spence in essence, all openness of instinct and imagination.”
Ali Smith
the Herald
“One of Scotland’s most accomplished literary talents.”
the Times
“Seasons of the Heart is remarkably close in spirit, and execution, to the best of the works of the great four of haiku, Basho, Buson, Issa and Shiki … it is a work which is bound to give much pleasure, and one which will last.”
Lucien Stryk
Alan Spence is an award winning poet, playwright, novelist and short story
writer. His awards include the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Award,
the Macallan Short Story Prize and the McVitie Prize for Scottish
Writer of the Year. He is Professor in Creative Writing at the
University of Aberdeen, where he is also Artistic Director of the
annual WORD Festival.