"Remarkable Occurrences is Lodge at his best ? finely observed
moments, images to die for, and an assured tone throughout. There is nothing
parochial or self-centred in this colourful and cosmopolitan collection by a
poet who knows and loves his craft. The title sequence celebrates Cook?s voyage
into the unknown, rescuing characters and incidents from historic and cultural
obscurity, but the real exploration here is of ourselves in a diversity of
places and of English as a European language. A work for our times." Will Kemp
"A tour
de force in two parts, the first part recording the poet's own travels with his
customary sharp insights. The distilling of Cook's Remarkable
Occurrences is a sustained departure from Lodge's usual style. Part
threnody, part celebration, it is a remarkable achievement." Hannah
Stone