Ellen Cranitch Readings
'Utterly mesmerising... This is what poetry at its best and truest can do. A wonderful achievement.’ – Stephen Fry
Ellen Cranitch's Crystal traces the arc of one woman’s experience after the discovery that her partner is addicted to crystal meth. In a highly original poetic act of reclamation, it plunders the drug itself and makes of it an overarching conceit to articulate the devastating impact of living with a loved one who is utterly changed. Deeply felt, tirelessly inventive, this collection gives voice to addiction’s explosive effect within a family. At the same time it speaks universally and with urgency of the power of poetry to take one through the darkest of times.
Crystal is Ellen Cranitch's second poetry book, following The Immortalist (Templar Press), which was shortlisted for the Seamus Heaney Prize for Best Collection 2018. Crystal was published by Bloodaxe in April 2024, and was launched online at Bloodaxe's joint reading and discussion event on 30 April. Scroll down to see the video.
Listen to Ellen discussing and reading from Crystal on the Planet Poetry podcast here.
Links to other interviews and to reviews in The Observer, Poetry Ireland Review and elsewhere, see our news page here.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Saturday 5 July, 11.30pm
Ledbury Poetry Festival: Ellen Cranitch & Isabelle Baafi
Burgage Hall, Ledbury
Ellen will read from her 2024 second collection Crystal, which traces the arc of one woman’s experience after the discovery that her partner is addicted to crystal meth, and Isabelle from her debut Chaotic Good.
Tickets: £14. Booking here.
Further festival appearances in 2025 to be announced.
PAST EVENTS
ONLINE LAUNCH READING, 30 APRIL 2024
Ellen Cranitch launched Crystal online at Bloodaxe’s joint online reading and discussion event on 30 April 2024, together with Helen Farish and
Okinawan-Irish American poet Brenda Shaughnessy.
Available to watch now via YouTube - click on the arrow below. Ellen read first in each set.
[10 March 2025]
