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Grand Gnostic Central and Other Poems 
by Bryan Sentes
DCAD Enterprises, 1998 

Reviewed by Kathy Shaidle

In one section of Grand Gnostic Central, ("Budapest Studies - IV"), Bryan Sentes writes: 

The chest-high white-haired Swiss woman asked 
What is it? And I explained 
It's György Dózsa 
He led a peasant revolt 
And they crowned him 
With a red hot iron crown 
Made him a bronze throne 
And cooked him on it 
Then lined his followers up 
And made them eat him 

I read that wishing that more of his poems displayed that sort of searing clarity. According to his back-of-the-book biography, Sentes "divides his time between Europe and Montreal;" this may explain why these pieces sounded les s like poetry than like elevated-yet-empty Euro-style philosophising. Few of these poems really come alive; most were too prosaic or vague to inspire prolonged contemplation. Much intellectual name dropping, but not enough heart, soul or passion. 

There are a few interesting moments--I'm not sure even Sentes noticed that the reds and yellows of the "churchyard maples" in "A Québec" echo the likely colours of the "wretched lasagna" his speaker consumes in a previous line. Unfortunately, there aren't enough such moments to recommend Grand Gnostic Central

Kathy Shaidle's first poetry collection was shortlisted for the 1998 Governor General's Award. Among other things, she hosts the weblog RelapsedCatholic.com, "where the religious rubber meets the pop culture road."

 

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The Danforth Review is produced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. All content is copyright of its creator and cannot be copied, printed, or downloaded without the consent of its creator. The Danforth Review is edited by Michael Bryson. Poetry Editors are Geoff Cook and Shane Neilson. Reviews Editors are Anthony Metivier (fiction) and Erin Gouthro (poetry). TDR alumnus officio: K.I. Press. All views expressed are those of the writer only. International submissions are encouraged. The Danforth Review is archived in the National Library of Canada. ISSN 1494-6114. 

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts which last year invested $19.1 million in writing and publishing throughout Canada. Nous remercions de son soutien le Conseil des Arts du Canada, qui a investi 19,1 millions de dollars l'an dernier dans les lettres et l'édition ŕ travers le Canada.