The Sin Eater

'Deborah Randall's poems are astonishing. Sometimes I'm tempted to call her a genius, although I'm sure she'd laugh at such bloated terminology, judging by her work, which is earthed, gutsy, fiery and sensual in its dealings with the basics of life and death. This is her first collection: there is the odd echo of Sylvia Plath, Dylan Thomas or George Mackay Brown, but the tactics and cunning could only be Deborah Randall's and the rhythms are her own. Her poems are often easing in their slantwise approach, and she draws on the myth-kitty as and when it suits her purposes, but she plants surprises and her timing is exact. Hers is a deft and womanly art, as direct and disorientating as a ride on the Big Dipper.' - Sylvia Kantaris Winner of the Bloodaxe Books National Poetry Competition. Poetry Book Society Recommendation.