Fragile Islands gives voice to the hidden experiences of girls, women and mothers. In Part 1 Judy’s Story, Christine draws on the characters in Punch and Judy to explore domestic abuse, collusion and societal suppression of women.
Poems in Part 2 recognise the fragility in all of us, touching on the stories behind our actions, and the ways we find to cope with difficult situations. Others recognise our capacity for resilience and fun. Optimism, possibility and a love for life run through these poems, enhanced by depictions of nature and the lifelines it invites us to catch and keep.
About Christine Hollywood
Fragile Islands is Christine’s debut collection and a winner of the Indigo First Collection Competition. Christine’s poems have been published in Finished Creatures, Reach Poetry, Obsessed by Pipework, The Frogmore Papers. Two of her poems have been placed in national competitions. In 2024 her poem The Long View was displayed on a Brighton bus as part of Brighton and Hove Arts Council’s Poetry Initiative.
Christine is a poet, writer, teacher and workshop facilitator. She creates and facilitates expressive writing workshops for young people and adults. Her programme for schools is called Write 2Be Me. She has an MA in creative writing and personal development, and is a former chair and London co-ordinator of the writing for wellbeing organisation, Lapidus. Christine was born in Dorset. She now lives in Sussex between the city and the sea.
To Book Readings,Talks or Workshops:
"Christine has a real flair for creating precise, sensory descriptions. There is a cinematic quality to her intricate visuals which is highly evocative."
John McCullough
“Such a worthy winner Christine, the honesty shows through."
Ronnie Goodyear, Indigo Dreams Publishing
"I know the text so well and it grows bigger every time I read it. We're really proud to publish such a fine collection."
Dawn Bauling, Indigo Dreams Publishing