I, Clodia and Other Portraits by Anna Jackson opens with the words:

‘I, Clodia Metelli, thank you, Valerius Catullus,

for the sweet memento you sent of our brief time

together…’

So, here is the sweet memento of the brief time that we at Unity Books spent with Anna on the night of the collection’s launch.

On Thursday 27th November, Unity Books Wellington became a traditional forum of sorts, as Latin-ish literature took to the stage. Anna Jackson’s collection I, Clodia and Other Portraits was launched to an eager crowd, who were treated to wise words and wit from Anna herself as well as her publisher Sam Elworthy at AUP and her Victoria University colleague Geoff Miles.

Both Sam and Geoff spoke of their own early forays into Latin learning – at high school and university respectively – before singing the collection’s praises and sharing a few of their favourite moments from the Clodia series.

After her effusive thanks to those who supported her along the way – with particular tribute to those who helped with the translations of Catullus’ original work – Anna read a few snippets from the Other Portraits part of the collection, seeing the world through the eye and the lens of the ‘pretty photographer’.

It’s always a pleasure to help bring a new poetry collection into the world, and I, Clodia and Other Portraits was no exception.  It was a wonderful night, for a wonderful little book.

Reviewed by Briar Lawry, Photographs © Matt Bialostocki

The hand-drawn dead bird mimics the cover of I, Clodia and Other Portraits

Sam Elworthy from Auckland University Press opens up the evening

Geoff Miles, a colleague of Anna’s from Victoria University, launches the book

Anna Jackson talks about her work and reads a selection of her poems

I, CLODIA AND OTHER PORTRAITS IS AVAILABLE TO BUY IN STORE AND FROM OUR ONLINE SHOP HERE.