'Alchemy of the Sun is a book about journeys. Sent to ‘open up the country’, ignorant of Aboriginal strategies for coping with the terrain and climate, many of the desert explorers failed, some dying in the attempt. Today’s battle is with man-made climate change and its aftereffects, an ongoing fecklessness that has disturbed the delicate balance of elements and environment.
'These poems seek to challenge the mindset of ‘conquering’ the land, and offer instead the opportunity of mediation with the forces that shape the planet and our lives.' (Publication summary)
'In Margaret Bradstock’s ninth book of poetry Alchemy of the Sun one notices at once the ways in which its this volume’s thematic threads intersect, compound, and grow as an overlay or web throughout the thoughtfully arranged four sections. These sections – Deserts of the mind, Turning back time, Warming, melting, dying, and Going viral – include poems which, read sequentially, make connections beyond the wholeness of each individual poem, and then beyond the volume’s parts to its entirety.' (Introduction)
'Welcome, everyone, to the launch of Margaret Bradstock’s latest and ninth poetry collection Alchemy of the Sun, published by David Musgrave of Puncher & Wattmann. Puncher & Wattmann are one of the main outlets for publishing poetry in Australia, and I think the best. There would be quite a few poets nationally who feel immensely grateful for that support. David will be selling copies of the book up the back, so be sure to grab one if you haven’t already.' (Introduction)
'Welcome, everyone, to the launch of Margaret Bradstock’s latest and ninth poetry collection Alchemy of the Sun, published by David Musgrave of Puncher & Wattmann. Puncher & Wattmann are one of the main outlets for publishing poetry in Australia, and I think the best. There would be quite a few poets nationally who feel immensely grateful for that support. David will be selling copies of the book up the back, so be sure to grab one if you haven’t already.' (Introduction)
'In Margaret Bradstock’s ninth book of poetry Alchemy of the Sun one notices at once the ways in which its this volume’s thematic threads intersect, compound, and grow as an overlay or web throughout the thoughtfully arranged four sections. These sections – Deserts of the mind, Turning back time, Warming, melting, dying, and Going viral – include poems which, read sequentially, make connections beyond the wholeness of each individual poem, and then beyond the volume’s parts to its entirety.' (Introduction)
