"On first glance at the poetry in Grant's collection, Exile to Excision, one is stricken by how his contemporary structuralism and social-political context powerfully contrast with his use of ancient and religious themes, imagery and language. However, on a closer look one finds, within these terms, deep and meaningful symbolism that produces messages of morality about suffering, connection, healing and the journey towards finding God; all concepts central to the teachings of the Torah.

In Part One of the collection, particularly inspiring is the poem Sunday, which, by adopting a serenely positive outlook, calmly addresses our complex and anxious feelings towards war with a beautifully religious alternative; believing in the accessibility of inner peace. Grant manages to encompass this into three very short stanzas, adding wondrous effect with such concise simplicity.

Part Two does not fail to match in quality, with poems such as Bill Gates' Prayer; an amusing and modern parody of Gates' worship of computers in relation to our worship of God (the former, not the latter, being the subject of gentle mockery!). It is in the form of a prayer but endorses a technological lexicon, cleverly linking past and present abstractions together in order to clarify, perhaps to the younger generation, the methods of dedication to God in Judaism.

The difference between these two poems provide just one of many examples showing the variation of mood and colour within the collection, meaning that it should appeal to both masculine and feminine taste; there is truly something for everyone. I thoroughly recommend Grant's poetry and would advise that you attend his reading of it, which should take place soon at the synagogue. It will include a sale and signing of copies of the collection; all proceeds will be donated to the synagogue."

-Natasha Gilbert

Grant David Newman's poetry is "a poetic equivalent of running Windows on a DOS based operating system."

-kriss taylor (bsc psychology hons. post grad diploma hr management)