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Barbara Giles

Barbara Giles (1912–2006) was a poet and writer of fiction.

Barbara Giles reviews three books of poetry

September 1982, no. 44 01 September 1982
I’m a speedy reader, a rapid degutter of poems, yet it took me days to read John Tranter’s Selected Poems. This poetry is so packed with meaning, with metaphor, so inventive, intelligent, and funny it’s impossible to hurry. It left me, though I’d read most of it before, wishing for a Complete Poems to fill the gaps. ... (read more)

Barbara Giles reviews 'The Orange Tree: South Australian poetry to the present day' edited by K.F. Pearson and Christine Churches

February–March 1986, no. 78 01 February 1986
Anthologists face more than one dilemma of choice, beside that of personal preference. Is it better to show more of fewer poets, and give a true picture of their qualities and scope, to range widely across the landscape of the art, or reach a compromise between these methods? There are excellent anthologies in each genre. ... (read more)

Barbara Giles reviews 'The Most Beautiful World' by Rodney Hall, 'Tide Country' by Vivian Smith, 'Heaven of Rags' by Gary Catalano, and 'Song of the Humpbacked Whales' by Jill Hellyer

December 1982–January 1983, no. 47 01 December 1982
The Most Beautiful World is somewhat of a conundrum at first look. I spent a long time trying to penetrate the surface of this latest book of poetry by Rodney Hall. I had just been reading his exciting, original, and well-sustained novel Just Relations, I guess I was looking for the same excitement here. It didn’t arrive on schedule. The book is made up of office ‘suites’ – which they are ... (read more)