Barry Dempster reviews Praise for The Burning Alphabet "Few if any poets encompass the range, the dynamism, and the spectrum of emotional colours Barry Dempster does. The Burning Alphabet bravely tackles such potentially demoralizing matters as chronic illness, the chasm between father and son, suburbia, and the gross derangements of our society with a combination of tender rambunctiousness, broad deep humour, and a fervent zest for the possibilities of language and for re-imagining life's bewilderments that's unparalleled. Barry Dempster creates word music that is both delightfully insightful and memorable." -Canadian Authors' Association Chalmers Award Judges "For over two decades I've marveled at Barry Dempster's poetry, at his generous and wide-reaching spirit. A spirit that makes his poems crackle with innovational energy. He delves deeply into both himself and the world, to bring forth his singular voice, so rich with insights and cadences. His vivid relationship with language is infused by a sensibility and perceptiveness which makes his work shimmer with the musicality of existence itself. He is simply one of the best poets we have and The Burning Alphabet will add greatly to is already distinguished reputation.

" -Don Domanski Praise for Love Outlandish In Love Outlandish, Barry Dempster presents love in many shapes from shifting angles, then collates the results, from the passionate and the faithful to the obsessive and off-beat. I was struck by both the steadfastness of theme and the unifying style and voice, revealing a speaker of wry humour, capable of self-irony in his pursuit of the truth at whatever cost. Love Outlandish may be Dempster's best collection to date, both in terms of its thematic integrity and as a cumulative intensifying of its poet's perspective on love. -Gillian Harding-Russell, Prairie Fire.