A Pretty Sight - by David O'Meara (Paperback)

About the Book

David O'Meara finds defiance amid decay and oblivion, with guest appearances from Sid Vicious, Socrates, and Sophie Scholl.

Book Synopsis

Finalist for the 2014 Archibald Lampman Award for Outstanding Book of Poetry!

Like the rhapsodists, the storytellers of ancient Greece, A Pretty Sight shapes voices into a stitched song propelled toward the next century. Haunted by "time's frame / that dark shape near the edge of the canvas," David O'Meara sifts culture, art, war, rebellion, and technology, offering defiance amid decay, while singing with the conflicting impulses of reflection and dissent.

David O'Meara has authored three poetry collections and a play. He's been shortlisted for the Gerald Lampert Award, the ReLit Prize, the Trillium Book Award, a National Magazine Award, four Rideau Awards, and he won the Archibald Lampman Award twice. He lives in Ottawa, Ontario.

Review Quotes

"O'Meara is a poet of the personal. Of the person. In and amongst the social documentary and human observation at which he excels, here is a writer prepared to put feelings on the line and to argue his case with the reader. This is proud, felt, and affecting work - I can't think of many other poets so prepared to engage and so equipped to succeed." - Simon Armitage

"Since the 1999 release of his debut collection, Storm still, Ottawa bartender David O'Meara has quietly earned a reputation as one of the best poets in the country. His third book does much to solidify his front-rank standing ... His skill, insight, and discipline make the collection richer with each rereading." - Quill & Quire

About the Author

David O'Meara: David O'Meara lives in Ottawa, Ontario. He is the author of three collections of poetry, and a play, Disaster. His most recent book is Noble Gas, Penny Black (Brick Books, 2008). He is director of the renowned Plan 99 Reading Series and was the Canadian judge for the 2012 Griffin Poetry Prize.