JAAM 26 ed. Tim Jones (JAAM Collective, Wgton 2008) ISBN 1173-633X
Keith Nunes
New Zealand is bubbling over with great writers and storytellers - just look at JAAM 26.
The annual publication by the JAAM (Just Another Art Movement) Collective is a triumph for editor Tim Jones and the team. The 164-page journal is an entertaining mix of poetry and prose that challenges and moves the reader. Aside from the traditional high class work there are pieces that fall into the more science fiction/speculative area - material that would appear in specialized periodicals instead of the typical literary journal. I'm not a big fan of that style of writing, but the stories I read in JAAM 26 won me over. Among the weird and the wonderful Tracie McBride's piece called ‘Last Chance to See' about a woman who dies and is given a day back on earth to settle her family and business matters is a standout.
The more traditional short stories also shine and among them is a lovely wee piece called ‘When an Older Brother Dies' by L.E. Scott. It's poignant and touching and revealing. I thoroughly enjoyed Darian Smith's exotic tale called ‘Banshee' and Renee Liang's livewire story, ‘Voodoo'. Michele Powles also shines with the dreamlike ‘A Body of Land'.
A number of writers from the New Zealand Poetry Society make an appearance and among the best in the journal is Laurice Gilbert's pair of poems ‘Divided World' and ‘Island Bay'. Both soar and toy with you and leave images lingering.
The highlights come thick and fast with a number of poets impressing, including Janis Freegard with ‘he has your eyes'; Dean Ballinger's ‘Antananarivo'; Helen Heath with two poems; Barbara Strang's ‘Fatigues'; Sue Reidy's ‘Bottomless Love' and Miriam Barr's ‘3 Phases in a Journey (Towards Self)'.
A special mention must also go to Michael Botur for his imaginative and amusing ‘Historic Breakfasts', which links famous people and places with the first meal of the day.
All in all this a wonderful journal and one which provides the reader with hours of thought-provoking and entertaining reading. Well done.
