SOURCE: Glover, Michael. “Prize-Winner from Ulster.” Spectator 272, no. 8640 (12 February 1994): 32.

In the following review, Glover explores how Carson uses language in First Language.

The award of the first T. S. Eliot Prize for the poetry book of the year was, as one of the hot and overwrought multitude that had packed into the dining room of the Chelsea Arts Club last month was heard to remark, a typical poetry occasion: the words of the speakers were inaudible, the microphone having gone on the blink; the roar of the extractor fan positioned directly above the head of the Chairman of the Judges introduced an unexpected note of menace into the occasion; and Valerie Eliot, guest of honour and presenter of the award named in honour of her husband, not only failed to gloss a single line of the Waste Land, but spoke not a single word of encouragement to that...