Cirrus@Austlit

'Celebrating twenty years since the publication of his first poem, The Gospel of the Fallen brings together some of Luke Icarus Simon’s previously published poems, alongside some of his newest work, appearing here for the first time.

'Simon’s signature style encompasses the personal odyssey of self-discovery, identity and the pursuit of love and marries it with the universal search for existential meaning through reflecting on family, relationships, life experiences, and the lifelong journey all of us must undertake, towards inner peace.' (Publication Summary)

Arriving in 1970s Australia from a country torn apart by war, young Perry realises he is different and carries a secret he cannot share. Growing up, he works hard to overcome his demons, to achieve his dreams, to be a good son, to be the man his absent father could never be. When serious illness strikes, Perry must return to his country of birth to search for the only man who can save him, his father. These interconnected stories, many previously published in literary journals and anthologies, deal with one man's search for identity, love and a sense of belononging. Luke Icarus Simon writes with a poet's sensibility, deftly exploring the trials and tribulations of one immigrant family's history with poignant candour and humour. — Publisher's Summary

'This collection of poems expresses the rollercoaster of anger, grief, resignation ad nostalgia that comes with a terminal illness diagnosis. Raw, poignant but filled with black humour, poet Luke Icarus Simon tries to make sense of a life half-lived, a life threatened with mortality decades before its time.' (Publication Summary)