Birds of Clay

This striking first book of poems moves from the Balkans to New Zealand, and from Serbian proverbs to literary experiments. Poet Aleksandra Lane’s intelligence is everywhere, but it is never obvious or intrusive. Instead she uses it to explore a variety of different poetic forms and to encompass big themes like war, famine and intimacy, all the while approaching each with a fresh and energetic perspective. Even though this is her first book in English, her maturity as a published poet is clear to see, making this a very skillful and sometimes startling collection.