The Keelie Hawk

by Kathleen Jamie
The Keelie Hawk cover
Good Books rating 4.75
Poetry
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Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 2271
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9781529095609
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2024-09-26
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Keelie Hawk is a groundbreaking poetry collection by Kathleen Jamie, the former National Poet of Scotland. For the first time, Jamie has composed her work in Scots, accompanied by English translations, making it a significant event in Scottish literature. This collection not only reclaims the rich linguistic tradition of Scots but also contributes to its evolution, as Jamie notes in her insightful afterword. The poems resonate deeply, offering a unique lens through which to view the world and our relationship with other species. Praise for Jamie's work includes accolades from notable figures like Kit Fan of The Guardian, who highlights her ability to offer a new way of seeing and understanding ourselves and other species. The collection is a testament to Jamie's lyrical talent and her commitment to preserving and advancing the Scots language.

Reviews
Richard Carter's Blog · Richard Carter · 2025-03-20
enthusiastic 5.00

The collection is highly recommended, especially for those who speak Scots, but also for anyone appreciating lyrical poetry.

Richard Carter is highly enthusiastic about 'The Keelie Hawk', recommending it wholeheartedly. He believes that while the collection is particularly special for Scots speakers, its lyrical quality makes it enjoyable for anyone. Carter praises Jamie's ability to bring her unique voice to the language of her homeland, creating a collection that is both beautiful and meaningful. He highlights the outstanding results of Jamie's efforts in this bilingual work, making it a standout in her body of work.

Quick quotes

    As with all of Kathleen Jamie's books, I highly recommend The Keelie Hawk—especially, but not only, if you happen to speak Scots.

    Buy this book without hesitation if you appreciate lyrical poetry.

    The Keelie Hawk is a stunning bilingual collection in which Jamie translates her own Scots poems into English.

The Scotsman · 2024-10-09
insightful 4.75

The poems shift seamlessly from descriptions to deeper emotions and memories, showcasing Jamie's skillful craftsmanship.

The reviewer notes that 'The Keelie Hawk' is a collection that effortlessly transitions from vivid descriptions to profound emotional and intellectual explorations. They appreciate Jamie's ability to weave together ideas, memories, and feelings in a way that feels both natural and impactful. The reviewer also highlights how Jamie's use of Scots adds a unique layer to the poetry, making it a fresh and exciting read. They believe that this collection is a testament to Jamie's versatility and her ability to unlock new creative possibilities through language.

Quick quotes

    The poems often begin as descriptions, but Jamie is adept at shifting gears and moving into ideas, memories, feelings, and somehow these shifts feel seamless.

    In embracing Scots, she has unlocked a fresh toolbox of expression.

    The collection is a testament to Jamie's versatility and her ability to unlock new creative possibilities through language.

Goodreads · 2024-09-26
powerful 4.50

The poems are short but powerful, each one delivering a strong impact. The collection is praised for its depth and emotional resonance.

This reviewer finds that the poems in 'The Keelie Hawk' are remarkably concise yet packed with emotional weight. Despite their brevity, each poem leaves a lasting impression, showcasing Kathleen Jamie's ability to convey complex emotions and ideas in just a few lines. They appreciate the raw and authentic voice that comes through in the poetry, making it a memorable read. The reviewer also notes that the collection is a testament to Jamie's skill in capturing the essence of her homeland through her words.

Quick quotes

    The poems are mostly quite short (none strays over more than three, sparsely covered, pages) but pack a punch.

    Each poem leaves a lasting impression, showcasing Kathleen Jamie's ability to convey complex emotions and ideas in just a few lines.

    The collection is a testament to Jamie's skill in capturing the essence of her homeland through her words.

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