Eclipse by Simon Armitage, 13 Nov 2001
I was lucky enough to have played the role of Midnight when Eclipse was one of the plays to be performed by companies in the 1996 BT National Connections competition. Back then the script was only delivered to us in fragments. Rereading it in this form it has lost none of it's charm. The role of poetry and definite rhythm is something very rare to appear in theatre of the last 20 years, and in Eclipse it works incredibly well. Although originally aimed at young teenagers as a cast the play itself could also be performed by young adults without losing any of its charm and wonder. A play with many layers, and resonances, which had our audiences coming out with many theories as to Lucy Lime's disappearance, whether it was magic or murder, and fully engaging their imaginations. A great play which is definitely worth a look into.

Eclipse by Simon Armitage, 13 Nov 2001
I was lucky enough to have played the role of Midnight when Eclipse was one of the plays to be performed by companies in the 1996 BT National Connections competition. Back then the script was only delivered to us in fragments. Rereading it in this form it has lost none of it's charm. The role of poetry and definite rhythm is something very rare to appear in theatre of the last 20 years, and in Eclipse it works incredibly well. Although originally aimed at young teenagers as a cast the play itself could also be performed by young adults without losing any of its charm and wonder. A play with many layers, and resonances, which had our audiences coming out with many theories as to Lucy Lime's disappearance, whether it was magic or murder, and fully engaging their imaginations. A great play which is definitely worth a look into.

Poignant and funny, 30 Nov 2005
I am a fan of poetry by Simon Armitage, and also his previous novels, All Points North, and The Green Man. 'The White Stuff' is equally enjoyable. It is a moving, enjoyable read, at times a little uncomfortable, yet funny, and the relationship drawn between Abbie and Felix is realistic and loving. I enjoyed and understood Abbie's need to try and understand her past and find out who she really is. The final twist is a nice resolution.

Simon: what's gone wrong?, 08 May 2004
I really rate Simon Armitage. Have followed him avidly since his first appearances on the Mark Radcliffe show in the early 1990s. Loved the poems, the readings, the dodgy trips to Iceland, even his first novel.

But this one really stinks. It's a story by numbers, and it doesn't make sense. The themes are one dimensional: limited to blokish solidarity and how we're all so complicated. There are too many characters: most of whom don't make sense and some of whom are really frustrating (girl called Miss Moffat - has a fear of spiders - geddit??). The ending is soggy and lazy.

Eclipse by Simon Armitage, 13 Nov 2001
I was lucky enough to have played the role of Midnight when Eclipse was one of the plays to be performed by companies in the 1996 BT National Connections competition. Back then the script was only delivered to us in fragments. Rereading it in this form it has lost none of it's charm. The role of poetry and definite rhythm is something very rare to appear in theatre of the last 20 years, and in Eclipse it works incredibly well. Although originally aimed at young teenagers as a cast the play itself could also be performed by young adults without losing any of its charm and wonder. A play with many layers, and resonances, which had our audiences coming out with many theories as to Lucy Lime's disappearance, whether it was magic or murder, and fully engaging their imaginations. A great play which is definitely worth a look into.

Poignant and funny, 30 Nov 2005
I am a fan of poetry by Simon Armitage, and also his previous novels, All Points North, and The Green Man. 'The White Stuff' is equally enjoyable. It is a moving, enjoyable read, at times a little uncomfortable, yet funny, and the relationship drawn between Abbie and Felix is realistic and loving. I enjoyed and understood Abbie's need to try and understand her past and find out who she really is. The final twist is a nice resolution.

Simon: what's gone wrong?, 08 May 2004
I really rate Simon Armitage. Have followed him avidly since his first appearances on the Mark Radcliffe show in the early 1990s. Loved the poems, the readings, the dodgy trips to Iceland, even his first novel.

But this one really stinks. It's a story by numbers, and it doesn't make sense. The themes are one dimensional: limited to blokish solidarity and how we're all so complicated. There are too many characters: most of whom don't make sense and some of whom are really frustrating (girl called Miss Moffat - has a fear of spiders - geddit??). The ending is soggy and lazy.

Hit the North!, 15 Oct 2008
Read this book some time ago now and it has a very important message that viewing yourself as Northerner is a positive statement.

As a Lancastrian I would testify that this isn't simply a Yorkshireman's view of the world - it presents the implacable, grizzled, matter-of-factness of a died-in the wool Northerner from either side of the Pennines and probably up a far as Geordieland.

And it's the affirmation of Northerness which is one of the reasons why this book, and Armitage's work is so special and important. Whilst the tanned hordes South of Watford take Northern humour for granted - vis. Peter Kay's enormous success - they fail to see that his charm and wit is an integral part of Northern life - Mr Kay has just managed to distil it better than most. In the North it is important to be funny, as often as possible, and to be friendly in a way which is anathema to those in the deep south.

The sad fact is that so many Southerners will read this and miss the point entirely...or may be it's not so sad because the last thing we would want is for hordes of humour-free, snobbish opportunist to flock North in search of some spiritual Nirvana.

Rock on Simon!

Neil



Needs to be read with an open mind - reviewers think on!, 20 Feb 2008
I have to confess to being slightly alarmed and very disappointed by some of the Amazon reviews of this book. There is no doubt that Armitage has a great way with both poetry and prose - I have taught his poems at GCSE for several years and have heard him give readings which never fail to amuse and make me chuckle wryly at the vagaries of life. The reason I am concerned is the way that people have depicted life in The North of England - I grew up in Sussex and only moved to Sheffield in 1996 - after over a decade here I can honestly say that I would never move back down South. I encountered far more 'parochialism' as a 'Southerner' and a Grammar school education in Tunbridge Wells left me in no doubt as to the inherent ignorance and small-mindedness of many in the 'Home Counties'.
Armitage depicts the kind of daftness, naivety and sheer buffoonery that is encountered from John O' Groats to Land's End - but he does it through the eyes of an intelligent individual who is utterly at ease with himself and his upbringing. One of the best parts is Simon's recounting of an amateur dramatics staging of 'Camelot' and the all-male cast's sheer enjoyment and unfettered enthusiasm from start to finish. It does help that I know many of the places mentioned - I have family in Marsden too - but even without this I can recommend 'All points North' as a great read and perhaps even an eye-opener for anyone who claims knowledge of life beyond Birmingham.


A delight - very original, 20 Feb 2005
This book is a collection of prose, poems and snatches of news reports capturing the essence of all things northern, more specifically all things Yorkshire.

This is quite a rare kind of book because it includes so many different styles of writing. Also unlike say, Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island or Theroux's 'The Kingdom by the Sea'it is written by a native and allows the reader to make their own interpretation of the text. He does not appear arrogant or aloof, but becomes part of the landscape he describes.

Armitage is a wonderful writer. He writes about a variety of issues from Saturday Night out in Leeds (this chapter is quite superb)to discarded tractor tyres in the moors. He can make even the dull things in life have a kind resonance.

Some things I will always remember with a smile. His sports report when he likens 80's football shorts to 'skin-tight satin knickers'. When he was told there is no need to go outside and watch the total eclipse because 'it is on Channel 66'. Or the man who spent 26 days up a tree to set a new world record when he realised the record was 26 years- 'I did feel a bit of a prat when I heard'.

He can be funny/serious and strikes the right balance. He deals with a lot of issues here, including the homeless and Politics.

There are also pieces on the art of writing as Armitage alludes to his influences. These pieces are really inspiring and anything that encourages poets in this day and age is a good thing.

Armitage comes across as a sound bloke with a wonderful everyman talent. The North? Well, it will always remain a mystery to me.

A bit southern for me, 26 Dec 2003
As a hardened northerner from County Durham, to hear West Yorkshire described as anything other than south was a great surprise to me. Joking apart, the book is absolutely wonderful in places. Not only does it embody a true northern community spirit wonderfully, and recount village stories in a lively and amusing way; but some of the social observation is put in language that almost made me cry it was so beautiful. Often it is little comments such as the section regarding the cricket County Championship and TV coverage of football that is the best. However, by the end of the book it becomes too much a trail following Armitage's life and not enough of the observation on a community it was at the start. This does not stop it having some incredibly funny moments, though - particularly good is his encounter with the shop assistant when trying to photocopy his own work. Overall, a very good book, well worth buying - even goes someway to explaining why Yorkshiremen are so contrary.

It Almost Makes Me...But Not Quite, 30 Jun 2002
Okay, I'll be honest: I HATE the North of England with quite a passion. I lived the first two years of my life in Liverpool and the last fifteen in W Yorkshire. So my whole life i have been up here, passionately hating it. I look forward to going to University in a few months in Cambridge with a fervour. I hate almost everything about where I live. Seriously.

And yet, a couple of years ago, when I first read Simon Armitage's poetry, and even though so much of it is based around...not parochialism (because S.Armitage HAS travelled about, it's just that, bafflingly, he's settled back up here again)...but a (to me) strange love of The North, and that love is something completely alien to me, I couldn't help but get sucked into the language, the subjects and the new way in which Simon Armitage communicates his love of where he lives.

Perhaps it was the silly thrill of reading placenames, even shop names (like Bronx Clothing in Huddersfield, which I walk past every college day), and thinking...I know there. I've looked at that too. I've looked at somewhere that Simon Armitage has looked at. But when he looked he saw something poetic and beautiful, but when I looked I saw something ugly and hardfaced.

Or perhaps it was the dizziness of that I SEE, every day of my life, where the poetry comes from, but I disagree so much with the essence of it. but the stunningly skilful way in which it's written makes me want to read anyway, to disagree.

It's also, maybe (and for me, worryingly!) that I know S.Armitage is completely sincere with all his feelings for this place in which he and I both live. I've met him, several times. He's a lovely man. He IS everything Northern, but minus the ugly, hardfaced, parochialism that is so trademark up here. If everyone from Yorkshire were like Simon Armitage - blunt, amusing, intelligent, creative, friendly - then I'm sure I'd be as enthusiastic about living up here as he is. I've seen him reading his poems and prose. I've seen him read out lines about his love for this place, while we were actually IN this place. The wonderful thing about him is that he means every word of it.

So perhaps that's what makes this book so special to me: I think every positive thing written is the opposite from the truth, but that's probably part of the attraction. But Simon Armitage could write about a WHEELIE BIN and make it sound transcendental. This book is a must: whether you share Simon's thoughs of The North, whether you share mine, or whether you're lucky enough to be well away from here!

Eclipse by Simon Armitage, 13 Nov 2001
I was lucky enough to have played the role of Midnight when Eclipse was one of the plays to be performed by companies in the 1996 BT National Connections competition. Back then the script was only delivered to us in fragments. Rereading it in this form it has lost none of it's charm. The role of poetry and definite rhythm is something very rare to appear in theatre of the last 20 years, and in Eclipse it works incredibly well. Although originally aimed at young teenagers as a cast the play itself could also be performed by young adults without losing any of its charm and wonder. A play with many layers, and resonances, which had our audiences coming out with many theories as to Lucy Lime's disappearance, whether it was magic or murder, and fully engaging their imaginations. A great play which is definitely worth a look into.

Poignant and funny, 30 Nov 2005
I am a fan of poetry by Simon Armitage, and also his previous novels, All Points North, and The Green Man. 'The White Stuff' is equally enjoyable. It is a moving, enjoyable read, at times a little uncomfortable, yet funny, and the relationship drawn between Abbie and Felix is realistic and loving. I enjoyed and understood Abbie's need to try and understand her past and find out who she really is. The final twist is a nice resolution.

Simon: what's gone wrong?, 08 May 2004
I really rate Simon Armitage. Have followed him avidly since his first appearances on the Mark Radcliffe show in the early 1990s. Loved the poems, the readings, the dodgy trips to Iceland, even his first novel.

But this one really stinks. It's a story by numbers, and it doesn't make sense. The themes are one dimensional: limited to blokish solidarity and how we're all so complicated. There are too many characters: most of whom don't make sense and some of whom are really frustrating (girl called Miss Moffat - has a fear of spiders - geddit??). The ending is soggy and lazy.

Hit the North!, 15 Oct 2008
Read this book some time ago now and it has a very important message that viewing yourself as Northerner is a positive statement.

As a Lancastrian I would testify that this isn't simply a Yorkshireman's view of the world - it presents the implacable, grizzled, matter-of-factness of a died-in the wool Northerner from either side of the Pennines and probably up a far as Geordieland.

And it's the affirmation of Northerness which is one of the reasons why this book, and Armitage's work is so special and important. Whilst the tanned hordes South of Watford take Northern humour for granted - vis. Peter Kay's enormous success - they fail to see that his charm and wit is an integral part of Northern life - Mr Kay has just managed to distil it better than most. In the North it is important to be funny, as often as possible, and to be friendly in a way which is anathema to those in the deep south.

The sad fact is that so many Southerners will read this and miss the point entirely...or may be it's not so sad because the last thing we would want is for hordes of humour-free, snobbish opportunist to flock North in search of some spiritual Nirvana.

Rock on Simon!

Neil



Needs to be read with an open mind - reviewers think on!, 20 Feb 2008
I have to confess to being slightly alarmed and very disappointed by some of the Amazon reviews of this book. There is no doubt that Armitage has a great way with both poetry and prose - I have taught his poems at GCSE for several years and have heard him give readings which never fail to amuse and make me chuckle wryly at the vagaries of life. The reason I am concerned is the way that people have depicted life in The North of England - I grew up in Sussex and only moved to Sheffield in 1996 - after over a decade here I can honestly say that I would never move back down South. I encountered far more 'parochialism' as a 'Southerner' and a Grammar school education in Tunbridge Wells left me in no doubt as to the inherent ignorance and small-mindedness of many in the 'Home Counties'.
Armitage depicts the kind of daftness, naivety and sheer buffoonery that is encountered from John O' Groats to Land's End - but he does it through the eyes of an intelligent individual who is utterly at ease with himself and his upbringing. One of the best parts is Simon's recounting of an amateur dramatics staging of 'Camelot' and the all-male cast's sheer enjoyment and unfettered enthusiasm from start to finish. It does help that I know many of the places mentioned - I have family in Marsden too - but even without this I can recommend 'All points North' as a great read and perhaps even an eye-opener for anyone who claims knowledge of life beyond Birmingham.


A delight - very original, 20 Feb 2005
This book is a collection of prose, poems and snatches of news reports capturing the essence of all things northern, more specifically all things Yorkshire.

This is quite a rare kind of book because it includes so many different styles of writing. Also unlike say, Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island or Theroux's 'The Kingdom by the Sea'it is written by a native and allows the reader to make their own interpretation of the text. He does not appear arrogant or aloof, but becomes part of the landscape he describes.

Armitage is a wonderful writer. He writes about a variety of issues from Saturday Night out in Leeds (this chapter is quite superb)to discarded tractor tyres in the moors. He can make even the dull things in life have a kind resonance.

Some things I will always remember with a smile. His sports report when he likens 80's football shorts to 'skin-tight satin knickers'. When he was told there is no need to go outside and watch the total eclipse because 'it is on Channel 66'. Or the man who spent 26 days up a tree to set a new world record when he realised the record was 26 years- 'I did feel a bit of a prat when I heard'.

He can be funny/serious and strikes the right balance. He deals with a lot of issues here, including the homeless and Politics.

There are also pieces on the art of writing as Armitage alludes to his influences. These pieces are really inspiring and anything that encourages poets in this day and age is a good thing.

Armitage comes across as a sound bloke with a wonderful everyman talent. The North? Well, it will always remain a mystery to me.

A bit southern for me, 26 Dec 2003
As a hardened northerner from County Durham, to hear West Yorkshire described as anything other than south was a great surprise to me. Joking apart, the book is absolutely wonderful in places. Not only does it embody a true northern community spirit wonderfully, and recount village stories in a lively and amusing way; but some of the social observation is put in language that almost made me cry it was so beautiful. Often it is little comments such as the section regarding the cricket County Championship and TV coverage of football that is the best. However, by the end of the book it becomes too much a trail following Armitage's life and not enough of the observation on a community it was at the start. This does not stop it having some incredibly funny moments, though - particularly good is his encounter with the shop assistant when trying to photocopy his own work. Overall, a very good book, well worth buying - even goes someway to explaining why Yorkshiremen are so contrary.

It Almost Makes Me...But Not Quite, 30 Jun 2002
Okay, I'll be honest: I HATE the North of England with quite a passion. I lived the first two years of my life in Liverpool and the last fifteen in W Yorkshire. So my whole life i have been up here, passionately hating it. I look forward to going to University in a few months in Cambridge with a fervour. I hate almost everything about where I live. Seriously.

And yet, a couple of years ago, when I first read Simon Armitage's poetry, and even though so much of it is based around...not parochialism (because S.Armitage HAS travelled about, it's just that, bafflingly, he's settled back up here again)...but a (to me) strange love of The North, and that love is something completely alien to me, I couldn't help but get sucked into the language, the subjects and the new way in which Simon Armitage communicates his love of where he lives.

Perhaps it was the silly thrill of reading placenames, even shop names (like Bronx Clothing in Huddersfield, which I walk past every college day), and thinking...I know there. I've looked at that too. I've looked at somewhere that Simon Armitage has looked at. But when he looked he saw something poetic and beautiful, but when I looked I saw something ugly and hardfaced.

Or perhaps it was the dizziness of that I SEE, every day of my life, where the poetry comes from, but I disagree so much with the essence of it. but the stunningly skilful way in which it's written makes me want to read anyway, to disagree.

It's also, maybe (and for me, worryingly!) that I know S.Armitage is completely sincere with all his feelings for this place in which he and I both live. I've met him, several times. He's a lovely man. He IS everything Northern, but minus the ugly, hardfaced, parochialism that is so trademark up here. If everyone from Yorkshire were like Simon Armitage - blunt, amusing, intelligent, creative, friendly - then I'm sure I'd be as enthusiastic about living up here as he is. I've seen him reading his poems and prose. I've seen him read out lines about his love for this place, while we were actually IN this place. The wonderful thing about him is that he means every word of it.

So perhaps that's what makes this book so special to me: I think every positive thing written is the opposite from the truth, but that's probably part of the attraction. But Simon Armitage could write about a WHEELIE BIN and make it sound transcendental. This book is a must: whether you share Simon's thoughs of The North, whether you share mine, or whether you're lucky enough to be well away from here!

Eclipse by Simon Armitage, 13 Nov 2001
I was lucky enough to have played the role of Midnight when Eclipse was one of the plays to be performed by companies in the 1996 BT National Connections competition. Back then the script was only delivered to us in fragments. Rereading it in this form it has lost none of it's charm. The role of poetry and definite rhythm is something very rare to appear in theatre of the last 20 years, and in Eclipse it works incredibly well. Although originally aimed at young teenagers as a cast the play itself could also be performed by young adults without losing any of its charm and wonder. A play with many layers, and resonances, which had our audiences coming out with many theories as to Lucy Lime's disappearance, whether it was magic or murder, and fully engaging their imaginations. A great play which is definitely worth a look into.

Eclipse by Simon Armitage, 13 Nov 2001
I was lucky enough to have played the role of Midnight when Eclipse was one of the plays to be performed by companies in the 1996 BT National Connections competition. Back then the script was only delivered to us in fragments. Rereading it in this form it has lost none of it's charm. The role of poetry and definite rhythm is something very rare to appear in theatre of the last 20 years, and in Eclipse it works incredibly well. Although originally aimed at young teenagers as a cast the play itself could also be performed by young adults without losing any of its charm and wonder. A play with many layers, and resonances, which had our audiences coming out with many theories as to Lucy Lime's disappearance, whether it was magic or murder, and fully engaging their imaginations. A great play which is definitely worth a look into.

Poignant and funny, 30 Nov 2005
I am a fan of poetry by Simon Armitage, and also his previous novels, All Points North, and The Green Man. 'The White Stuff' is equally enjoyable. It is a moving, enjoyable read, at times a little uncomfortable, yet funny, and the relationship drawn between Abbie and Felix is realistic and loving. I enjoyed and understood Abbie's need to try and understand her past and find out who she really is. The final twist is a nice resolution.

Simon: what's gone wrong?, 08 May 2004
I really rate Simon Armitage. Have followed him avidly since his first appearances on the Mark Radcliffe show in the early 1990s. Loved the poems, the readings, the dodgy trips to Iceland, even his first novel.

But this one really stinks. It's a story by numbers, and it doesn't make sense. The themes are one dimensional: limited to blokish solidarity and how we're all so complicated. There are too many characters: most of whom don't make sense and some of whom are really frustrating (girl called Miss Moffat - has a fear of spiders - geddit??). The ending is soggy and lazy.

Hit the North!, 15 Oct 2008
Read this book some time ago now and it has a very important message that viewing yourself as Northerner is a positive statement.

As a Lancastrian I would testify that this isn't simply a Yorkshireman's view of the world - it presents the implacable, grizzled, matter-of-factness of a died-in the wool Northerner from either side of the Pennines and probably up a far as Geordieland.

And it's the affirmation of Northerness which is one of the reasons why this book, and Armitage's work is so special and important. Whilst the tanned hordes South of Watford take Northern humour for granted - vis. Peter Kay's enormous success - they fail to see that his charm and wit is an integral part of Northern life - Mr Kay has just managed to distil it better than most. In the North it is important to be funny, as often as possible, and to be friendly in a way which is anathema to those in the deep south.

The sad fact is that so many Southerners will read this and miss the point entirely...or may be it's not so sad because the last thing we would want is for hordes of humour-free, snobbish opportunist to flock North in search of some spiritual Nirvana.

Rock on Simon!

Neil



Needs to be read with an open mind - reviewers think on!, 20 Feb 2008
I have to confess to being slightly alarmed and very disappointed by some of the Amazon reviews of this book. There is no doubt that Armitage has a great way with both poetry and prose - I have taught his poems at GCSE for several years and have heard him give readings which never fail to amuse and make me chuckle wryly at the vagaries of life. The reason I am concerned is the way that people have depicted life in The North of England - I grew up in Sussex and only moved to Sheffield in 1996 - after over a decade here I can honestly say that I would never move back down South. I encountered far more 'parochialism' as a 'Southerner' and a Grammar school education in Tunbridge Wells left me in no doubt as to the inherent ignorance and small-mindedness of many in the 'Home Counties'.
Armitage depicts the kind of daftness, naivety and sheer buffoonery that is encountered from John O' Groats to Land's End - but he does it through the eyes of an intelligent individual who is utterly at ease with himself and his upbringing. One of the best parts is Simon's recounting of an amateur dramatics staging of 'Camelot' and the all-male cast's sheer enjoyment and unfettered enthusiasm from start to finish. It does help that I know many of the places mentioned - I have family in Marsden too - but even without this I can recommend 'All points North' as a great read and perhaps even an eye-opener for anyone who claims knowledge of life beyond Birmingham.


A delight - very original, 20 Feb 2005
This book is a collection of prose, poems and snatches of news reports capturing the essence of all things northern, more specifically all things Yorkshire.

This is quite a rare kind of book because it includes so many different styles of writing. Also unlike say, Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island or Theroux's 'The Kingdom by the Sea'it is written by a native and allows the reader to make their own interpretation of the text. He does not appear arrogant or aloof, but becomes part of the landscape he describes.

Armitage is a wonderful writer. He writes about a variety of issues from Saturday Night out in Leeds (this chapter is quite superb)to discarded tractor tyres in the moors. He can make even the dull things in life have a kind resonance.

Some things I will always remember with a smile. His sports report when he likens 80's football shorts to 'skin-tight satin knickers'. When he was told there is no need to go outside and watch the total eclipse because 'it is on Channel 66'. Or the man who spent 26 days up a tree to set a new world record when he realised the record was 26 years- 'I did feel a bit of a prat when I heard'.

He can be funny/serious and strikes the right balance. He deals with a lot of issues here, including the homeless and Politics.

There are also pieces on the art of writing as Armitage alludes to his influences. These pieces are really inspiring and anything that encourages poets in this day and age is a good thing.

Armitage comes across as a sound bloke with a wonderful everyman talent. The North? Well, it will always remain a mystery to me.

A bit southern for me, 26 Dec 2003
As a hardened northerner from County Durham, to hear West Yorkshire described as anything other than south was a great surprise to me. Joking apart, the book is absolutely wonderful in places. Not only does it embody a true northern community spirit wonderfully, and recount village stories in a lively and amusing way; but some of the social observation is put in language that almost made me cry it was so beautiful. Often it is little comments such as the section regarding the cricket County Championship and TV coverage of football that is the best. However, by the end of the book it becomes too much a trail following Armitage's life and not enough of the observation on a community it was at the start. This does not stop it having some incredibly funny moments, though - particularly good is his encounter with the shop assistant when trying to photocopy his own work. Overall, a very good book, well worth buying - even goes someway to explaining why Yorkshiremen are so contrary.

It Almost Makes Me...But Not Quite, 30 Jun 2002
Okay, I'll be honest: I HATE the North of England with quite a passion. I lived the first two years of my life in Liverpool and the last fifteen in W Yorkshire. So my whole life i have been up here, passionately hating it. I look forward to going to University in a few months in Cambridge with a fervour. I hate almost everything about where I live. Seriously.

And yet, a couple of years ago, when I first read Simon Armitage's poetry, and even though so much of it is based around...not parochialism (because S.Armitage HAS travelled about, it's just that, bafflingly, he's settled back up here again)...but a (to me) strange love of The North, and that love is something completely alien to me, I couldn't help but get sucked into the language, the subjects and the new way in which Simon Armitage communicates his love of where he lives.

Perhaps it was the silly thrill of reading placenames, even shop names (like Bronx Clothing in Huddersfield, which I walk past every college day), and thinking...I know there. I've looked at that too. I've looked at somewhere that Simon Armitage has looked at. But when he looked he saw something poetic and beautiful, but when I looked I saw something ugly and hardfaced.

Or perhaps it was the dizziness of that I SEE, every day of my life, where the poetry comes from, but I disagree so much with the essence of it. but the stunningly skilful way in which it's written makes me want to read anyway, to disagree.

It's also, maybe (and for me, worryingly!) that I know S.Armitage is completely sincere with all his feelings for this place in which he and I both live. I've met him, several times. He's a lovely man. He IS everything Northern, but minus the ugly, hardfaced, parochialism that is so trademark up here. If everyone from Yorkshire were like Simon Armitage - blunt, amusing, intelligent, creative, friendly - then I'm sure I'd be as enthusiastic about living up here as he is. I've seen him reading his poems and prose. I've seen him read out lines about his love for this place, while we were actually IN this place. The wonderful thing about him is that he means every word of it.

So perhaps that's what makes this book so special to me: I think every positive thing written is the opposite from the truth, but that's probably part of the attraction. But Simon Armitage could write about a WHEELIE BIN and make it sound transcendental. This book is a must: whether you share Simon's thoughs of The North, whether you share mine, or whether you're lucky enough to be well away from here!

Eclipse by Simon Armitage, 13 Nov 2001
I was lucky enough to have played the role of Midnight when Eclipse was one of the plays to be performed by companies in the 1996 BT National Connections competition. Back then the script was only delivered to us in fragments. Rereading it in this form it has lost none of it's charm. The role of poetry and definite rhythm is something very rare to appear in theatre of the last 20 years, and in Eclipse it works incredibly well. Although originally aimed at young teenagers as a cast the play itself could also be performed by young adults without losing any of its charm and wonder. A play with many layers, and resonances, which had our audiences coming out with many theories as to Lucy Lime's disappearance, whether it was magic or murder, and fully engaging their imaginations. A great play which is definitely worth a look into.

Hit the North!, 15 Oct 2008
Read this book some time ago now and it has a very important message that viewing yourself as Northerner is a positive statement.

As a Lancastrian I would testify that this isn't simply a Yorkshireman's view of the world - it presents the implacable, grizzled, matter-of-factness of a died-in the wool Northerner from either side of the Pennines and probably up a far as Geordieland.

And it's the affirmation of Northerness which is one of the reasons why this book, and Armitage's work is so special and important. Whilst the tanned hordes South of Watford take Northern humour for granted - vis. Peter Kay's enormous success - they fail to see that his charm and wit is an integral part of Northern life - Mr Kay has just managed to distil it better than most. In the North it is important to be funny, as often as possible, and to be friendly in a way which is anathema to those in the deep south.

The sad fact is that so many Southerners will read this and miss the point entirely...or may be it's not so sad because the last thing we would want is for hordes of humour-free, snobbish opportunist to flock North in search of some spiritual Nirvana.

Rock on Simon!

Neil



Needs to be read with an open mind - reviewers think on!, 20 Feb 2008
I have to confess to being slightly alarmed and very disappointed by some of the Amazon reviews of this book. There is no doubt that Armitage has a great way with both poetry and prose - I have taught his poems at GCSE for several years and have heard him give readings which never fail to amuse and make me chuckle wryly at the vagaries of life. The reason I am concerned is the way that people have depicted life in The North of England - I grew up in Sussex and only moved to Sheffield in 1996 - after over a decade here I can honestly say that I would never move back down South. I encountered far more 'parochialism' as a 'Southerner' and a Grammar school education in Tunbridge Wells left me in no doubt as to the inherent ignorance and small-mindedness of many in the 'Home Counties'.
Armitage depicts the kind of daftness, naivety and sheer buffoonery that is encountered from John O' Groats to Land's End - but he does it through the eyes of an intelligent individual who is utterly at ease with himself and his upbringing. One of the best parts is Simon's recounting of an amateur dramatics staging of 'Camelot' and the all-male cast's sheer enjoyment and unfettered enthusiasm from start to finish. It does help that I know many of the places mentioned - I have family in Marsden too - but even without this I can recommend 'All points North' as a great read and perhaps even an eye-opener for anyone who claims knowledge of life beyond Birmingham.


A delight - very original, 20 Feb 2005
This book is a collection of prose, poems and snatches of news reports capturing the essence of all things northern, more specifically all things Yorkshire.

This is quite a rare kind of book because it includes so many different styles of writing. Also unlike say, Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island or Theroux's 'The Kingdom by the Sea'it is written by a native and allows the reader to make their own interpretation of the text. He does not appear arrogant or aloof, but becomes part of the landscape he describes.

Armitage is a wonderful writer. He writes about a variety of issues from Saturday Night out in Leeds (this chapter is quite superb)to discarded tractor tyres in the moors. He can make even the dull things in life have a kind resonance.

Some things I will always remember with a smile. His sports report when he likens 80's football shorts to 'skin-tight satin knickers'. When he was told there is no need to go outside and watch the total eclipse because 'it is on Channel 66'. Or the man who spent 26 days up a tree to set a new world record when he realised the record was 26 years- 'I did feel a bit of a prat when I heard'.

He can be funny/serious and strikes the right balance. He deals with a lot of issues here, including the homeless and Politics.

There are also pieces on the art of writing as Armitage alludes to his influences. These pieces are really inspiring and anything that encourages poets in this day and age is a good thing.

Armitage comes across as a sound bloke with a wonderful everyman talent. The North? Well, it will always remain a mystery to me.

A bit southern for me, 26 Dec 2003
As a hardened northerner from County Durham, to hear West Yorkshire described as anything other than south was a great surprise to me. Joking apart, the book is absolutely wonderful in places. Not only does it embody a true northern community spirit wonderfully, and recount village stories in a lively and amusing way; but some of the social observation is put in language that almost made me cry it was so beautiful. Often it is little comments such as the section regarding the cricket County Championship and TV coverage of football that is the best. However, by the end of the book it becomes too much a trail following Armitage's life and not enough of the observation on a community it was at the start. This does not stop it having some incredibly funny moments, though - particularly good is his encounter with the shop assistant when trying to photocopy his own work. Overall, a very good book, well worth buying - even goes someway to explaining why Yorkshiremen are so contrary.

It Almost Makes Me...But Not Quite, 30 Jun 2002
Okay, I'll be honest: I HATE the North of England with quite a passion. I lived the first two years of my life in Liverpool and the last fifteen in W Yorkshire. So my whole life i have been up here, passionately hating it. I look forward to going to University in a few months in Cambridge with a fervour. I hate almost everything about where I live. Seriously.

And yet, a couple of years ago, when I first read Simon Armitage's poetry, and even though so much of it is based around...not parochialism (because S.Armitage HAS travelled about, it's just that, bafflingly, he's settled back up here again)...but a (to me) strange love of The North, and that love is something completely alien to me, I couldn't help but get sucked into the language, the subjects and the new way in which Simon Armitage communicates his love of where he lives.

Perhaps it was the silly thrill of reading placenames, even shop names (like Bronx Clothing in Huddersfield, which I walk past every college day), and thinking...I know there. I've looked at that too. I've looked at somewhere that Simon Armitage has looked at. But when he looked he saw something poetic and beautiful, but when I looked I saw something ugly and hardfaced.

Or perhaps it was the dizziness of that I SEE, every day of my life, where the poetry comes from, but I disagree so much with the essence of it. but the stunningly skilful way in which it's written makes me want to read anyway, to disagree.

It's also, maybe (and for me, worryingly!) that I know S.Armitage is completely sincere with all his feelings for this place in which he and I both live. I've met him, several times. He's a lovely man. He IS everything Northern, but minus the ugly, hardfaced, parochialism that is so trademark up here. If everyone from Yorkshire were like Simon Armitage - blunt, amusing, intelligent, creative, friendly - then I'm sure I'd be as enthusiastic about living up here as he is. I've seen him reading his poems and prose. I've seen him read out lines about his love for this place, while we were actually IN this place. The wonderful thing about him is that he means every word of it.

So perhaps that's what makes this book so special to me: I think every positive thing written is the opposite from the truth, but that's probably part of the attraction. But Simon Armitage could write about a WHEELIE BIN and make it sound transcendental. This book is a must: whether you share Simon's thoughs of The North, whether you share mine, or whether you're lucky enough to be well away from here!

Eclipse by Simon Armitage, 13 Nov 2001
I was lucky enough to have played the role of Midnight when Eclipse was one of the plays to be performed by companies in the 1996 BT National Connections competition. Back then the script was only delivered to us in fragments. Rereading it in this form it has lost none of it's charm. The role of poetry and definite rhythm is something very rare to appear in theatre of the last 20 years, and in Eclipse it works incredibly well. Although originally aimed at young teenagers as a cast the play itself could also be performed by young adults without losing any of its charm and wonder. A play with many layers, and resonances, which had our audiences coming out with many theories as to Lucy Lime's disappearance, whether it was magic or murder, and fully engaging their imaginations. A great play which is definitely worth a look into.

Poignant and funny, 30 Nov 2005
I am a fan of poetry by Simon Armitage, and also his previous novels, All Points North, and The Green Man. 'The White Stuff' is equally enjoyable. It is a moving, enjoyable read, at times a little uncomfortable, yet funny, and the relationship drawn between Abbie and Felix is realistic and loving. I enjoyed and understood Abbie's need to try and understand her past and find out who she really is. The final twist is a nice resolution.

Simon: what's gone wrong?, 08 May 2004
I really rate Simon Armitage. Have followed him avidly since his first appearances on the Mark Radcliffe show in the early 1990s. Loved the poems, the readings, the dodgy trips to Iceland, even his first novel.

But this one really stinks. It's a story by numbers, and it doesn't make sense. The themes are one dimensional: limited to blokish solidarity and how we're all so complicated. There are too many characters: most of whom don't make sense and some of whom are really frustrating (girl called Miss Moffat - has a fear of spiders - geddit??). The ending is soggy and lazy.

Hit the North!, 15 Oct 2008
Read this book some time ago now and it has a very important message that viewing yourself as Northerner is a positive statement.

As a Lancastrian I would testify that this isn't simply a Yorkshireman's view of the world - it presents the implacable, grizzled, matter-of-factness of a died-in the wool Northerner from either side of the Pennines and probably up a far as Geordieland.

And it's the affirmation of Northerness which is one of the reasons why this book, and Armitage's work is so special and important. Whilst the tanned hordes South of Watford take Northern humour for granted - vis. Peter Kay's enormous success - they fail to see that his charm and wit is an integral part of Northern life - Mr Kay has just managed to distil it better than most. In the North it is important to be funny, as often as possible, and to be friendly in a way which is anathema to those in the deep south.

The sad fact is that so many Southerners will read this and miss the point entirely...or may be it's not so sad because the last thing we would want is for hordes of humour-free, snobbish opportunist to flock North in search of some spiritual Nirvana.

Rock on Simon!

Neil



Needs to be read with an open mind - reviewers think on!, 20 Feb 2008
I have to confess to being slightly alarmed and very disappointed by some of the Amazon reviews of this book. There is no doubt that Armitage has a great way with both poetry and prose - I have taught his poems at GCSE for several years and have heard him give readings which never fail to amuse and make me chuckle wryly at the vagaries of life. The reason I am concerned is the way that people have depicted life in The North of England - I grew up in Sussex and only moved to Sheffield in 1996 - after over a decade here I can honestly say that I would never move back down South. I encountered far more 'parochialism' as a 'Southerner' and a Grammar school education in Tunbridge Wells left me in no doubt as to the inherent ignorance and small-mindedness of many in the 'Home Counties'.
Armitage depicts the kind of daftness, naivety and sheer buffoonery that is encountered from John O' Groats to Land's End - but he does it through the eyes of an intelligent individual who is utterly at ease with himself and his upbringing. One of the best parts is Simon's recounting of an amateur dramatics staging of 'Camelot' and the all-male cast's sheer enjoyment and unfettered enthusiasm from start to finish. It does help that I know many of the places mentioned - I have family in Marsden too - but even without this I can recommend 'All points North' as a great read and perhaps even an eye-opener for anyone who claims knowledge of life beyond Birmingham.


A delight - very original, 20 Feb 2005
This book is a collection of prose, poems and snatches of news reports capturing the essence of all things northern, more specifically all things Yorkshire.

This is quite a rare kind of book because it includes so many different styles of writing. Also unlike say, Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island or Theroux's 'The Kingdom by the Sea'it is written by a native and allows the reader to make their own interpretation of the text. He does not appear arrogant or aloof, but becomes part of the landscape he describes.

Armitage is a wonderful writer. He writes about a variety of issues from Saturday Night out in Leeds (this chapter is quite superb)to discarded tractor tyres in the moors. He can make even the dull things in life have a kind resonance.

Some things I will always remember with a smile. His sports report when he likens 80's football shorts to 'skin-tight satin knickers'. When he was told there is no need to go outside and watch the total eclipse because 'it is on Channel 66'. Or the man who spent 26 days up a tree to set a new world record when he realised the record was 26 years- 'I did feel a bit of a prat when I heard'.

He can be funny/serious and strikes the right balance. He deals with a lot of issues here, including the homeless and Politics.

There are also pieces on the art of writing as Armitage alludes to his influences. These pieces are really inspiring and anything that encourages poets in this day and age is a good thing.

Armitage comes across as a sound bloke with a wonderful everyman talent. The North? Well, it will always remain a mystery to me.

A bit southern for me, 26 Dec 2003
As a hardened northerner from County Durham, to hear West Yorkshire described as anything other than south was a great surprise to me. Joking apart, the book is absolutely wonderful in places. Not only does it embody a true northern community spirit wonderfully, and recount village stories in a lively and amusing way; but some of the social observation is put in language that almost made me cry it was so beautiful. Often it is little comments such as the section regarding the cricket County Championship and TV coverage of football that is the best. However, by the end of the book it becomes too much a trail following Armitage's life and not enough of the observation on a community it was at the start. This does not stop it having some incredibly funny moments, though - particularly good is his encounter with the shop assistant when trying to photocopy his own work. Overall, a very good book, well worth buying - even goes someway to explaining why Yorkshiremen are so contrary.

It Almost Makes Me...But Not Quite, 30 Jun 2002
Okay, I'll be honest: I HATE the North of England with quite a passion. I lived the first two years of my life in Liverpool and the last fifteen in W Yorkshire. So my whole life i have been up here, passionately hating it. I look forward to going to University in a few months in Cambridge with a fervour. I hate almost everything about where I live. Seriously.

And yet, a couple of years ago, when I first read Simon Armitage's poetry, and even though so much of it is based around...not parochialism (because S.Armitage HAS travelled about, it's just that, bafflingly, he's settled back up here again)...but a (to me) strange love of The North, and that love is something completely alien to me, I couldn't help but get sucked into the language, the subjects and the new way in which Simon Armitage communicates his love of where he lives.

Perhaps it was the silly thrill of reading placenames, even shop names (like Bronx Clothing in Huddersfield, which I walk past every college day), and thinking...I know there. I've looked at that too. I've looked at somewhere that Simon Armitage has looked at. But when he looked he saw something poetic and beautiful, but when I looked I saw something ugly and hardfaced.

Or perhaps it was the dizziness of that I SEE, every day of my life, where the poetry comes from, but I disagree so much with the essence of it. but the stunningly skilful way in which it's written makes me want to read anyway, to disagree.

It's also, maybe (and for me, worryingly!) that I know S.Armitage is completely sincere with all his feelings for this place in which he and I both live. I've met him, several times. He's a lovely man. He IS everything Northern, but minus the ugly, hardfaced, parochialism that is so trademark up here. If everyone from Yorkshire were like Simon Armitage - blunt, amusing, intelligent, creative, friendly - then I'm sure I'd be as enthusiastic about living up here as he is. I've seen him reading his poems and prose. I've seen him read out lines about his love for this place, while we were actually IN this place. The wonderful thing about him is that he means every word of it.

So perhaps that's what makes this book so special to me: I think every positive thing written is the opposite from the truth, but that's probably part of the attraction. But Simon Armitage could write about a WHEELIE BIN and make it sound transcendental. This book is a must: whether you share Simon's thoughs of The North, whether you share mine, or whether you're lucky enough to be well away from here!

Eclipse by Simon Armitage, 13 Nov 2001
I was lucky enough to have played the role of Midnight when Eclipse was one of the plays to be performed by companies in the 1996 BT National Connections competition. Back then the script was only delivered to us in fragments. Rereading it in this form it has lost none of it's charm. The role of poetry and definite rhythm is something very rare to appear in theatre of the last 20 years, and in Eclipse it works incredibly well. Although originally aimed at young teenagers as a cast the play itself could also be performed by young adults without losing any of its charm and wonder. A play with many layers, and resonances, which had our audiences coming out with many theories as to Lucy Lime's disappearance, whether it was magic or murder, and fully engaging their imaginations. A great play which is definitely worth a look into.

Hit the North!, 15 Oct 2008
Read this book some time ago now and it has a very important message that viewing yourself as Northerner is a positive statement.

As a Lancastrian I would testify that this isn't simply a Yorkshireman's view of the world - it presents the implacable, grizzled, matter-of-factness of a died-in the wool Northerner from either side of the Pennines and probably up a far as Geordieland.

And it's the affirmation of Northerness which is one of the reasons why this book, and Armitage's work is so special and important. Whilst the tanned hordes South of Watford take Northern humour for granted - vis. Peter Kay's enormous success - they fail to see that his charm and wit is an integral part of Northern life - Mr Kay has just managed to distil it better than most. In the North it is important to be funny, as often as possible, and to be friendly in a way which is anathema to those in the deep south.

The sad fact is that so many Southerners will read this and miss the point entirely...or may be it's not so sad because the last thing we would want is for hordes of humour-free, snobbish opportunist to flock North in search of some spiritual Nirvana.

Rock on Simon!

Neil



Needs to be read with an open mind - reviewers think on!, 20 Feb 2008
I have to confess to being slightly alarmed and very disappointed by some of the Amazon reviews of this book. There is no doubt that Armitage has a great way with both poetry and prose - I have taught his poems at GCSE for several years and have heard him give readings which never fail to amuse and make me chuckle wryly at the vagaries of life. The reason I am concerned is the way that people have depicted life in The North of England - I grew up in Sussex and only moved to Sheffield in 1996 - after over a decade here I can honestly say that I would never move back down South. I encountered far more 'parochialism' as a 'Southerner' and a Grammar school education in Tunbridge Wells left me in no doubt as to the inherent ignorance and small-mindedness of many in the 'Home Counties'.
Armitage depicts the kind of daftness, naivety and sheer buffoonery that is encountered from John O' Groats to Land's End - but he does it through the eyes of an intelligent individual who is utterly at ease with himself and his upbringing. One of the best parts is Simon's recounting of an amateur dramatics staging of 'Camelot' and the all-male cast's sheer enjoyment and unfettered enthusiasm from start to finish. It does help that I know many of the places mentioned - I have family in Marsden too - but even without this I can recommend 'All points North' as a great read and perhaps even an eye-opener for anyone who claims knowledge of life beyond Birmingham.


A delight - very original, 20 Feb 2005
This book is a collection of prose, poems and snatches of news reports capturing the essence of all things northern, more specifically all things Yorkshire.

This is quite a rare kind of book because it includes so many different styles of writing. Also unlike say, Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island or Theroux's 'The Kingdom by the Sea'it is written by a native and allows the reader to make their own interpretation of the text. He does not appear arrogant or aloof, but becomes part of the landscape he describes.

Armitage is a wonderful writer. He writes about a variety of issues from Saturday Night out in Leeds (this chapter is quite superb)to discarded tractor tyres in the moors. He can make even the dull things in life have a kind resonance.

Some things I will always remember with a smile. His sports report when he likens 80's football shorts to 'skin-tight satin knickers'. When he was told there is no need to go outside and watch the total eclipse because 'it is on Channel 66'. Or the man who spent 26 days up a tree to set a new world record when he realised the record was 26 years- 'I did feel a bit of a prat when I heard'.

He can be funny/serious and strikes the right balance. He deals with a lot of issues here, including the homeless and Politics.

There are also pieces on the art of writing as Armitage alludes to his influences. These pieces are really inspiring and anything that encourages poets in this day and age is a good thing.

Armitage comes across as a sound bloke with a wonderful everyman talent. The North? Well, it will always remain a mystery to me.

A bit southern for me, 26 Dec 2003
As a hardened northerner from County Durham, to hear West Yorkshire described as anything other than south was a great surprise to me. Joking apart, the book is absolutely wonderful in places. Not only does it embody a true northern community spirit wonderfully, and recount village stories in a lively and amusing way; but some of the social observation is put in language that almost made me cry it was so beautiful. Often it is little comments such as the section regarding the cricket County Championship and TV coverage of football that is the best. However, by the end of the book it becomes too much a trail following Armitage's life and not enough of the observation on a community it was at the start. This does not stop it having some incredibly funny moments, though - particularly good is his encounter with the shop assistant when trying to photocopy his own work. Overall, a very good book, well worth buying - even goes someway to explaining why Yorkshiremen are so contrary.

It Almost Makes Me...But Not Quite, 30 Jun 2002
Okay, I'll be honest: I HATE the North of England with quite a passion. I lived the first two years of my life in Liverpool and the last fifteen in W Yorkshire. So my whole life i have been up here, passionately hating it. I look forward to going to University in a few months in Cambridge with a fervour. I hate almost everything about where I live. Seriously.

And yet, a couple of years ago, when I first read Simon Armitage's poetry, and even though so much of it is based around...not parochialism (because S.Armitage HAS travelled about, it's just that, bafflingly, he's settled back up here again)...but a (to me) strange love of The North, and that love is something completely alien to me, I couldn't help but get sucked into the language, the subjects and the new way in which Simon Armitage communicates his love of where he lives.

Perhaps it was the silly thrill of reading placenames, even shop names (like Bronx Clothing in Huddersfield, which I walk past every college day), and thinking...I know there. I've looked at that too. I've looked at somewhere that Simon Armitage has looked at. But when he looked he saw something poetic and beautiful, but when I looked I saw something ugly and hardfaced.

Or perhaps it was the dizziness of that I SEE, every day of my life, where the poetry comes from, but I disagree so much with the essence of it. but the stunningly skilful way in which it's written makes me want to read anyway, to disagree.

It's also, maybe (and for me, worryingly!) that I know S.Armitage is completely sincere with all his feelings for this place in which he and I both live. I've met him, several times. He's a lovely man. He IS everything Northern, but minus the ugly, hardfaced, parochialism that is so trademark up here. If everyone from Yorkshire were like Simon Armitage - blunt, amusing, intelligent, creative, friendly - then I'm sure I'd be as enthusiastic about living up here as he is. I've seen him reading his poems and prose. I've seen him read out lines about his love for this place, while we were actually IN this place. The wonderful thing about him is that he means every word of it.

So perhaps that's what makes this book so special to me: I think every positive thing written is the opposite from the truth, but that's probably part of the attraction. But Simon Armitage could write about a WHEELIE BIN and make it sound transcendental. This book is a must: whether you share Simon's thoughs of The North, whether you share mine, or whether you're lucky enough to be well away from here!

Poignant and funny, 30 Nov 2005
I am a fan of poetry by Simon Armitage, and also his previous novels, All Points North, and The Green Man. 'The White Stuff' is equally enjoyable. It is a moving, enjoyable read, at times a little uncomfortable, yet funny, and the relationship drawn between Abbie and Felix is realistic and loving. I enjoyed and understood Abbie's need to try and understand her past and find out who she really is. The final twist is a nice resolution.

Simon: what's gone wrong?, 08 May 2004
I really rate Simon Armitage. Have followed him avidly since his first appearances on the Mark Radcliffe show in the early 1990s. Loved the poems, the readings, the dodgy trips to Iceland, even his first novel.

But this one really stinks. It's a story by numbers, and it doesn't make sense. The themes are one dimensional: limited to blokish solidarity and how we're all so complicated. There are too many characters: most of whom don't make sense and some of whom are really frustrating (girl called Miss Moffat - has a fear of spiders - geddit??). The ending is soggy and lazy.

Little Green Man, Simon Armitage's first novel, draws on the author's gritty Yorkshire upbringing to produce a vivid story of childhood nostalgia and adult disillusionment. Armitage's protagonist is the feckless Barney, thirtysomething, divorced, and alienated from his autistic son. His only passion are his mates, "the old friends, the ones you were brought up with, who go further back than you remember, who've been there since the beginning. You didn't choose them--they're like family. Like blood." When Barney unearths what turns out to be a priceless relic from his childhood days--the "little green man" of the novel's title--he gets back in touch with his old gang: Winkie, Pompus, Stubbs and Tony Football. Desperate to "turn back the clock" and relive their childhood escapades, Barney proposes a game of truth or dare. Each member of the gang "dares" another. Failure to complete a dare leads to disqualification. The winner walks away with the priceless little green man. As the stakes get higher, friendships begin to dissolve as hairy women are seduced, sheep are slaughtered and excrement eaten. In the process the gang reveal some of their deepest secrets, from abuse to impotence, and as the game begins to get out of hand, Barney himself has to confront the responsibilities of adulthood. The problem is that the novel's brutally frank portrayal of both Barney and his gang is so convincing that it becomes difficult to feel any sympathy for anyone. Little Green Man is a tough, uncompromising debut novel, but many fans of Armitage may feel it lacks the originality of his highly acclaimed poetry. --Jerry Brotton

Eclipse by Simon Armitage, 13 Nov 2001
I was lucky enough to have played the role of Midnight when Eclipse was one of the plays to be performed by companies in the 1996 BT National Connections competition. Back then the script was only delivered to us in fragments. Rereading it in this form it has lost none of it's charm. The role of poetry and definite rhythm is something very rare to appear in theatre of the last 20 years, and in Eclipse it works incredibly well. Although originally aimed at young teenagers as a cast the play itself could also be performed by young adults without losing any of its charm and wonder. A play with many layers, and resonances, which had our audiences coming out with many theories as to Lucy Lime's disappearance, whether it was magic or murder, and fully engaging their imaginations. A great play which is definitely worth a look into.

Poignant and funny, 30 Nov 2005
I am a fan of poetry by Simon Armitage, and also his previous novels, All Points North, and The Green Man. 'The White Stuff' is equally enjoyable. It is a moving, enjoyable read, at times a little uncomfortable, yet funny, and the relationship drawn between Abbie and Felix is realistic and loving. I enjoyed and understood Abbie's need to try and understand her past and find out who she really is. The final twist is a nice resolution.

Simon: what's gone wrong?, 08 May 2004
I really rate Simon Armitage. Have followed him avidly since his first appearances on the Mark Radcliffe show in the early 1990s. Loved the poems, the readings, the dodgy trips to Iceland, even his first novel.

But this one really stinks. It's a story by numbers, and it doesn't make sense. The themes are one dimensional: limited to blokish solidarity and how we're all so complicated. There are too many characters: most of whom don't make sense and some of whom are really frustrating (girl called Miss Moffat - has a fear of spiders - geddit??). The ending is soggy and lazy.

Hit the North!, 15 Oct 2008
Read this book some time ago now and it has a very important message that viewing yourself as Northerner is a positive statement.

As a Lancastrian I would testify that this isn't simply a Yorkshireman's view of the world - it presents the implacable, grizzled, matter-of-factness of a died-in the wool Northerner from either side of the Pennines and probably up a far as Geordieland.

And it's the affirmation of Northerness which is one of the reasons why this book, and Armitage's work is so special and important. Whilst the tanned hordes South of Watford take Northern humour for granted - vis. Peter Kay's enormous success - they fail to see that his charm and wit is an integral part of Northern life - Mr Kay has just managed to distil it better than most. In the North it is important to be funny, as often as possible, and to be friendly in a way which is anathema to those in the deep south.

The sad fact is that so many Southerners will read this and miss the point entirely...or may be it's not so sad because the last thing we would want is for hordes of humour-free, snobbish opportunist to flock North in search of some spiritual Nirvana.

Rock on Simon!

Neil



Needs to be read with an open mind - reviewers think on!, 20 Feb 2008
I have to confess to being slightly alarmed and very disappointed by some of the Amazon reviews of this book. There is no doubt that Armitage has a great way with both poetry and prose - I have taught his poems at GCSE for several years and have heard him give readings which never fail to amuse and make me chuckle wryly at the vagaries of life. The reason I am concerned is the way that people have depicted life in The North of England - I grew up in Sussex and only moved to Sheffield in 1996 - after over a decade here I can honestly say that I would never move back down South. I encountered far more 'parochialism' as a 'Southerner' and a Grammar school education in Tunbridge Wells left me in no doubt as to the inherent ignorance and small-mindedness of many in the 'Home Counties'.
Armitage depicts the kind of daftness, naivety and sheer buffoonery that is encountered from John O' Groats to Land's End - but he does it through the eyes of an intelligent individual who is utterly at ease with himself and his upbringing. One of the best parts is Simon's recounting of an amateur dramatics staging of 'Camelot' and the all-male cast's sheer enjoyment and unfettered enthusiasm from start to finish. It does help that I know many of the places mentioned - I have family in Marsden too - but even without this I can recommend 'All points North' as a great read and perhaps even an eye-opener for anyone who claims knowledge of life beyond Birmingham.


A delight - very original, 20 Feb 2005
This book is a collection of prose, poems and snatches of news reports capturing the essence of all things northern, more specifically all things Yorkshire.

This is quite a rare kind of book because it includes so many different styles of writing. Also unlike say, Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island or Theroux's 'The Kingdom by the Sea'it is written by a native and allows the reader to make their own interpretation of the text. He does not appear arrogant or aloof, but becomes part of the landscape he describes.

Armitage is a wonderful writer. He writes about a variety of issues from Saturday Night out in Leeds (this chapter is quite superb)to discarded tractor tyres in the moors. He can make even the dull things in life have a kind resonance.

Some things I will always remember with a smile. His sports report when he likens 80's football shorts to 'skin-tight satin knickers'. When he was told there is no need to go outside and watch the total eclipse because 'it is on Channel 66'. Or the man who spent 26 days up a tree to set a new world record when he realised the record was 26 years- 'I did feel a bit of a prat when I heard'.

He can be funny/serious and strikes the right balance. He deals with a lot of issues here, including the homeless and Politics.

There are also pieces on the art of writing as Armitage alludes to his influences. These pieces are really inspiring and anything that encourages poets in this day and age is a good thing.

Armitage comes across as a sound bloke with a wonderful everyman talent. The North? Well, it will always remain a mystery to me.

A bit southern for me, 26 Dec 2003
As a hardened northerner from County Durham, to hear West Yorkshire described as anything other than south was a great surprise to me. Joking apart, the book is absolutely wonderful in places. Not only does it embody a true northern community spirit wonderfully, and recount village stories in a lively and amusing way; but some of the social observation is put in language that almost made me cry it was so beautiful. Often it is little comments such as the section regarding the cricket County Championship and TV coverage of football that is the best. However, by the end of the book it becomes too much a trail following Armitage's life and not enough of the observation on a community it was at the start. This does not stop it having some incredibly funny moments, though - particularly good is his encounter with the shop assistant when trying to photocopy his own work. Overall, a very good book, well worth buying - even goes someway to explaining why Yorkshiremen are so contrary.

It Almost Makes Me...But Not Quite, 30 Jun 2002
Okay, I'll be honest: I HATE the North of England with quite a passion. I lived the first two years of my life in Liverpool and the last fifteen in W Yorkshire. So my whole life i have been up here, passionately hating it. I look forward to going to University in a few months in Cambridge with a fervour. I hate almost everything about where I live. Seriously.

And yet, a couple of years ago, when I first read Simon Armitage's poetry, and even though so much of it is based around...not parochialism (because S.Armitage HAS travelled about, it's just that, bafflingly, he's settled back up here again)...but a (to me) strange love of The North, and that love is something completely alien to me, I couldn't help but get sucked into the language, the subjects and the new way in which Simon Armitage communicates his love of where he lives.

Perhaps it was the silly thrill of reading placenames, even shop names (like Bronx Clothing in Huddersfield, which I walk past every college day), and thinking...I know there. I've looked at that too. I've looked at somewhere that Simon Armitage has looked at. But when he looked he saw something poetic and beautiful, but when I looked I saw something ugly and hardfaced.

Or perhaps it was the dizziness of that I SEE, every day of my life, where the poetry comes from, but I disagree so much with the essence of it. but the stunningly skilful way in which it's written makes me want to read anyway, to disagree.

It's also, maybe (and for me, worryingly!) that I know S.Armitage is completely sincere with all his feelings for this place in which he and I both live. I've met him, several times. He's a lovely man. He IS everything Northern, but minus the ugly, hardfaced, parochialism that is so trademark up here. If everyone from Yorkshire were like Simon Armitage - blunt, amusing, intelligent, creative, friendly - then I'm sure I'd be as enthusiastic about living up here as he is. I've seen him reading his poems and prose. I've seen him read out lines about his love for this place, while we were actually IN this place. The wonderful thing about him is that he means every word of it.

So perhaps that's what makes this book so special to me: I think every positive thing written is the opposite from the truth, but that's probably part of the attraction. But Simon Armitage could write about a WHEELIE BIN and make it sound transcendental. This book is a must: whether you share Simon's thoughs of The North, whether you share mine, or whether you're lucky enough to be well away from here!

Eclipse by Simon Armitage, 13 Nov 2001
I was lucky enough to have played the role of Midnight when Eclipse was one of the plays to be performed by companies in the 1996 BT National Connections competition. Back then the script was only delivered to us in fragments. Rereading it in this form it has lost none of it's charm. The role of poetry and definite rhythm is something very rare to appear in theatre of the last 20 years, and in Eclipse it works incredibly well. Although originally aimed at young teenagers as a cast the play itself could also be performed by young adults without losing any of its charm and wonder. A play with many layers, and resonances, which had our audiences coming out with many theories as to Lucy Lime's disappearance, whether it was magic or murder, and fully engaging their imaginations. A great play which is definitely worth a look into.

Hit the North!, 15 Oct 2008
Read this book some time ago now and it has a very important message that viewing yourself as Northerner is a positive statement.

As a Lancastrian I would testify that this isn't simply a Yorkshireman's view of the world - it presents the implacable, grizzled, matter-of-factness of a died-in the wool Northerner from either side of the Pennines and probably up a far as Geordieland.

And it's the affirmation of Northerness which is one of the reasons why this book, and Armitage's work is so special and important. Whilst the tanned hordes South of Watford take Northern humour for granted - vis. Peter Kay's enormous success - they fail to see that his charm and wit is an integral part of Northern life - Mr Kay has just managed to distil it better than most. In the North it is important to be funny, as often as possible, and to be friendly in a way which is anathema to those in the deep south.

The sad fact is that so many Southerners will read this and miss the point entirely...or may be it's not so sad because the last thing we would want is for hordes of humour-free, snobbish opportunist to flock North in search of some spiritual Nirvana.

Rock on Simon!

Neil



Needs to be read with an open mind - reviewers think on!, 20 Feb 2008
I have to confess to being slightly alarmed and very disappointed by some of the Amazon reviews of this book. There is no doubt that Armitage has a great way with both poetry and prose - I have taught his poems at GCSE for several years and have heard him give readings which never fail to amuse and make me chuckle wryly at the vagaries of life. The reason I am concerned is the way that people have depicted life in The North of England - I grew up in Sussex and only moved to Sheffield in 1996 - after over a decade here I can honestly say that I would never move back down South. I encountered far more 'parochialism' as a 'Southerner' and a Grammar school education in Tunbridge Wells left me in no doubt as to the inherent ignorance and small-mindedness of many in the 'Home Counties'.
Armitage depicts the kind of daftness, naivety and sheer buffoonery that is encountered from John O' Groats to Land's End - but he does it through the eyes of an intelligent individual who is utterly at ease with himself and his upbringing. One of the best parts is Simon's recounting of an amateur dramatics staging of 'Camelot' and the all-male cast's sheer enjoyment and unfettered enthusiasm from start to finish. It does help that I know many of the places mentioned - I have family in Marsden too - but even without this I can recommend 'All points North' as a great read and perhaps even an eye-opener for anyone who claims knowledge of life beyond Birmingham.


A delight - very original, 20 Feb 2005
This book is a collection of prose, poems and snatches of news reports capturing the essence of all things northern, more specifically all things Yorkshire.

This is quite a rare kind of book because it includes so many different styles of writing. Also unlike say, Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island or Theroux's 'The Kingdom by the Sea'it is written by a native and allows the reader to make their own interpretation of the text. He does not appear arrogant or aloof, but becomes part of the landscape he describes.

Armitage is a wonderful writer. He writes about a variety of issues from Saturday Night out in Leeds (this chapter is quite superb)to discarded tractor tyres in the moors. He can make even the dull things in life have a kind resonance.

Some things I will always remember with a smile. His sports report when he likens 80's football shorts to 'skin-tight satin knickers'. When he was told there is no need to go outside and watch the total eclipse because 'it is on Channel 66'. Or the man who spent 26 days up a tree to set a new world record when he realised the record was 26 years- 'I did feel a bit of a prat when I heard'.

He can be funny/serious and strikes the right balance. He deals with a lot of issues here, including the homeless and Politics.

There are also pieces on the art of writing as Armitage alludes to his influences. These pieces are really inspiring and anything that encourages poets in this day and age is a good thing.

Armitage comes across as a sound bloke with a wonderful everyman talent. The North? Well, it will always remain a mystery to me.

A bit southern for me, 26 Dec 2003
As a hardened northerner from County Durham, to hear West Yorkshire described as anything other than south was a great surprise to me. Joking apart, the book is absolutely wonderful in places. Not only does it embody a true northern community spirit wonderfully, and recount village stories in a lively and amusing way; but some of the social observation is put in language that almost made me cry it was so beautiful. Often it is little comments such as the section regarding the cricket County Championship and TV coverage of football that is the best. However, by the end of the book it becomes too much a trail following Armitage's life and not enough of the observation on a community it was at the start. This does not stop it having some incredibly funny moments, though - particularly good is his encounter with the shop assistant when trying to photocopy his own work. Overall, a very good book, well worth buying - even goes someway to explaining why Yorkshiremen are so contrary.

It Almost Makes Me...But Not Quite, 30 Jun 2002
Okay, I'll be honest: I HATE the North of England with quite a passion. I lived the first two years of my life in Liverpool and the last fifteen in W Yorkshire. So my whole life i have been up here, passionately hating it. I look forward to going to University in a few months in Cambridge with a fervour. I hate almost everything about where I live. Seriously.

And yet, a couple of years ago, when I first read Simon Armitage's poetry, and even though so much of it is based around...not parochialism (because S.Armitage HAS travelled about, it's just that, bafflingly, he's settled back up here again)...but a (to me) strange love of The North, and that love is something completely alien to me, I couldn't help but get sucked into the language, the subjects and the new way in which Simon Armitage communicates his love of where he lives.

Perhaps it was the silly thrill of reading placenames, even shop names (like Bronx Clothing in Huddersfield, which I walk past every college day), and thinking...I know there. I've looked at that too. I've looked at somewhere that Simon Armitage has looked at. But when he looked he saw something poetic and beautiful, but when I looked I saw something ugly and hardfaced.

Or perhaps it was the dizziness of that I SEE, every day of my life, where the poetry comes from, but I disagree so much with the essence of it. but the stunningly skilful way in which it's written makes me want to read anyway, to disagree.

It's also, maybe (and for me, worryingly!) that I know S.Armitage is completely sincere with all his feelings for this place in which he and I both live. I've met him, several times. He's a lovely man. He IS everything Northern, but minus the ugly, hardfaced, parochialism that is so trademark up here. If everyone from Yorkshire were like Simon Armitage - blunt, amusing, intelligent, creative, friendly - then I'm sure I'd be as enthusiastic about living up here as he is. I've seen him reading his poems and prose. I've seen him read out lines about his love for this place, while we were actually IN this place. The wonderful thing about him is that he means every word of it.

So perhaps that's what makes this book so special to me: I think every positive thing written is the opposite from the truth, but that's probably part of the attraction. But Simon Armitage could write about a WHEELIE BIN and make it sound transcendental. This book is a must: whether you share Simon's thoughs of The North, whether you share mine, or whether you're lucky enough to be well away from here!

Poignant and funny, 30 Nov 2005
I am a fan of poetry by Simon Armitage, and also his previous novels, All Points North, and The Green Man. 'The White Stuff' is equally enjoyable. It is a moving, enjoyable read, at times a little uncomfortable, yet funny, and the relationship drawn between Abbie and Felix is realistic and loving. I enjoyed and understood Abbie's need to try and understand her past and find out who she really is. The final twist is a nice resolution.

Simon: what's gone wrong?, 08 May 2004
I really rate Simon Armitage. Have followed him avidly since his first appearances on the Mark Radcliffe show in the early 1990s. Loved the poems, the readings, the dodgy trips to Iceland, even his first novel.

But this one really stinks. It's a story by numbers, and it doesn't make sense. The themes are one dimensional: limited to blokish solidarity and how we're all so complicated. There are too many characters: most of whom don't make sense and some of whom are really frustrating (girl called Miss Moffat - has a fear of spiders - geddit??). The ending is soggy and lazy.

Marry me Simon!!!, 28 Dec 2007
This book was fantastic. The best book I've read this year. Armitage may have said his prose wouldn't be poetic. But subtle descriptions within his prose makes it even more beautiful (I would say poetically beautiful too) than his northern humour in his poetry. Its a beautiful read written by someone who naturally knows which words to use in what order to give the reader a subconscious immense pleasure and satisfaction with what's on the page. The plot is gripping and Armitage provides all the ingredients needed, such as twists, fantastic character development and blending past and present to create a gripping read. He brings the reader on the protagonist's journey in an Enduring Love (McEwan) style. Where he quitely, slyly puts you in a position where you feel sorry for certain characters and assume the ending, before being shocked dramatically and realising that everything you thought was wrong. Truly brilliant from a hero of language!

Friendships at a cost, 12 Jun 2007
An interesting book which I wasn't sure about from the start as I thought it may have been more of a 'boy's' book. However I quickly got into it. Basically Barney gets his old school friends together for a few games of football and dares; as in the old days. This time though the little green man is worth substantial sums of money rather than just the pride of winning a dare.

It's difficult to review this book without giving too much away (namely the end third!). The characters are great - they are just your average kids whom are now adults. It shows how their lives have changed (not always for the better) and I liked the representation of Barney's autistic son. The plot itself is simple but with some outstanding twists.

Having enjoyed reading and teaching Armitage's poetry I enjoyed delving between the covers of his prose. It is the same writing style, which I was pleased with and the reference to childhood sweets memories as a coping mechanism was unique.

A pleasurable and relatively quick read for me, this will have a different meaning the next time I read it. Although I'm passing on the book to others I'm sure it'll come back round to me at some point. The ending for me (unlike some other reviewers) was not disappointing, I felt it actually concluded the novel in a very satisfactory way. Plenty of morals, plenty of sub-plots and plenty of fantastically written narrative.

Zoom, zoom, 20 Jul 2006
The prize-winning poet of the north, Simon Armitage has written a truly intelligent gem in 'Little Green Man'. At turns funny and shocking, the novel had me gripped from the off - and managed to keep my attention during a tediously dull train journey (which is quite some feat considering the distractions and lack of conducive atmosphere for reading).

Having read this, I'm going to look up Simon's other novel 'The Dead Sea Poems'.

Grim Oop North, 26 Jun 2006
Funny and caring at times, yet dark and gritty at the same time. Armitage proves to be just as talented with prose as he does with his poetry, as the first chapter in which Barney re-discovers the little green man is prehaps one of the most well-written introductions I've read so far; his prose is descriptive without dragging you, yet powerful enough to make you think.

The characters are so believable that you are left feeling numb towards the end as it becomes clear that maybe the main character isn't so nice afterall, in fact, there were times in which I felt that Barney was going to crack. Other reviewers have mentioned that the end was somewhat anticlimatic, yet I personally felt that this was intentional as it left me wondering what would happen to such a complex character.

One of my all time favourites.., 26 Feb 2005
I was a little disappointed the first time I read this with the ending. If I'm honest it left me feeling depressed. However, I have reread the book several times since and each time it makes me think something different and I view the ending differently as well.

Well worth reading not once, but twice!