Book Recommendation: Partly Sane, Prose Merry and Rhyme
- WireNews
- Mar 28
- 2 min read
David Hogarth’s Partly Sane, Prose Merry and Rhyme is not just a collection of writings—it’s a statement. The author strips back the niceties of conventional poetry and takes aim at the chaotic undercurrents of contemporary life. The tone ranges from humorous to haunting, from defiant to melancholic. What emerges is a deeply personal and perceptive examination of how we live, how we pretend to live, and how media shapes the narrative in between.
Hogarth’s work stands apart for its refusal to conform—not to poetic structure, nor to social expectations. At just 96 pages, this compact book punches above its weight in emotional impact and thought-provoking content. While it may not appeal to lovers of traditional verse, readers looking for raw, satirical, and honest reflections will find a powerful voice in Hogarth’s work.
Summary
Partly Sane, Prose Merry and Rhyme is a sharp, unconventional collection of poetry and prose by David Hogarth, known for his previous work Rise and Shine, Little Man. This new volume offers an unfiltered and candid window into the contradictions and absurdities of modern life. Eschewing traditional poetic forms and literary genres, Hogarth presents what he calls “poetical peepholes” — compact, often jarring reflections on a society saturated by media, confused by values, and fuelled by dysfunction.
Rather than pursuing romantic or pastoral themes, Hogarth tackles the raw, the real, and the ridiculous with unapologetic honesty. His style is distinctive and at times abrasive, intentionally sidestepping political correctness in favour of emotional truth and social critique.
With a blend of humour, frustration, and subtle desperation, his verses and short musings resonate with anyone disillusioned by today’s cultural and media landscape.
Recommendation
Partly Sane is recommended for readers with a taste for realism cloaked in poetic licence, those who appreciate literary rebellion, and anyone curious about a poet’s personal reckoning with the modern world.
Book Summary
Title: Partly Sane, Prose Merry and Rhyme
Author: David Hogarth
Publisher: Hawkwood Books
Publication Date: 31 January 2025
ISBN-13: 978-1739323998
Format: Paperback, 96 pages
Language: English
Dimensions: 13 x 20 x 2 cm
