Tales of Ordinary Madness: A Short Collection of Beat Poems (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781511479462)

M. J. Poynter is an English "rogue writer" and underground poet. Born in Reading, Berkshire in the summer of 1969 he spent his early childhood in the neighbouring suburb of Woodley. In 1976 M. J. Poynter's family emigrated to South Africa and lived in the small coal mining town of Emalahleni (formerly known as Witbank) for next fifteen years. The author completed his primary and secondary school education in this conservative Afrikaans speaking town during what he often refers to as "the thirteen wasted years". It was during this time that he developed an insatiable dislike for the apartheid regime and became heavily influenced by the counter-culture of the 1960's. In terms of literary style M. J. Poynter typically writes in a straight talking first-person narrative which provides a clear and concise description of events. The writer displays a sense of "dirty realism" with his gritty raw depictions of everyday life and social conditions. His works are autobiographical in nature being largely based upon real life events and combining an element of fantasy. M. J. Poynter often portrays himself as an anti-hero caught up in situations over which he has no control. The author's own inclusion in the story, coupled with current affairs and various references to popular culture is reminiscent of Hunter S. Thompson's use of Gonzo journalism. This reportage of events blurs the distinction between fact and fiction making the story all the more convincing. Themes of tragedy and death are combined with elements of the comic and the bizarre. The author often uses an interesting play on words to convey a blatant sense of irony and his depictions of women are usually erotic in nature providing a sensuous mix of beauty and sexuality.