The West represents twenty years of work by internationally renowned poet John Mateer. This is the first time his Australian poems have been published together in one volume and is a timely and rewarding retrospective. Taking its bearings from the Indian Ocean, Mateer's poetry crisscrosses the continent taking the reader on a journey into the psyche, culture and landscape of this country.
Mateer's poetry was described as 'powerfully intense' by The Japan Times. Antipodes said it was 'risky and experimental' while the Australian Book Review noted his 'force and directness'. The Weekend Australian said Mateer was a poet 'brilliantly and very differently writing himself into this country'.
