PERIODICALS

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33201, 14 April 1973, Page 10

PERIODICALS

Islands 3. Edited and published by Robin Dudding. 112 pp. 15 plates.

Several articles on Baxter dominate the new “Islands” — Bill Pearson and Peter Olds give brief reminiscences, both very good in their way, but C. K. Stead’s long article on the later poetry is a disappointment. On the other hand, no praise would be too high for Vincent O’Sullivan’s discussion of the earlier poetry: this is a major critical work which deserves wide attention. Also in the issue are translations of poetry by Huchel and Darwish, with accompanying articles by Brasch and Wedde respectively; both of them are very good, though some readers may find the two of them too much for one issue. Some of the other poetry is less impressive, but there are two very interesting pieces of art criticism (Hutchings on Sutton, Collins on Hotere and Szirmay), a sensible article by Lawrence Jones on protest methods, and the usual good survey of theatre and books.

Cave 3. Edited by Trevor Reeves. Caveman Press. 80 pp. Illustrated. Rather belligerent editorial notes on other publications have marred the last two issues of "Cave,” and it is interesting to see that once again Reeves attacks “Islands” for wasting “expensive pages.” This is in fact a hazardous topic to raise, because this issue of “Cave” once again fluctuates wildlv in quality, and has priced itself on to a level with “Landfall” and “Islands” without bearing comparison in content. There are, though, some Cleavin etchings, good poems by Manhire. Summers, and others, good Neruda translations, unimpressive poems by wellknowns, and some very poor reviews; an exception would be Cunningham’s review, though his own poems are less exciting.