Sophie Dumont, a talented poet from Somerset, has garnered widespread acclaim with her debut poetry collection, Sculling. Raised and educated in Bath, Sophie’s work has caught the attention of prestigious publications such as The Sunday Times, The Financial Times, and The Guardian, as well as respected authors and critics.
Behind the critical success lies a deeply personal and heartrending story. At just 19 years old, Sophie lost her boyfriend in a tragic car accident on a rainy December night. Both shared a passion for canoe coaching at Bristol Harbour, where they met, and this connection to water and rivers profoundly influences her poetry. The River Avon, in particular, serves as a central source of inspiration throughout her work.
The loss left an indelible mark on Sophie, but it also carries a message of hope. Her late boyfriend’s organs, including his heart, were donated, saving multiple lives. Sophie has even met the recipient of his heart—a student living in the same city—bringing a poignant full circle to her grief.
Sculling reflects more than just loss; it explores water’s power as a metaphor for life, healing, and memory. Sophie candidly shared her experience with grief in The Sunday Times, recounting her shock, the ongoing sorrow, and deeply personal moments such as visiting her boyfriend’s grave and connecting with his mother.
Esteemed poet Philip Gross praised Sculling, describing it as “writing as sure and complex as the flow of water, weaving wide reflections on the world, place, family, and the sheer play of language, always with the steady tug of a personal story beneath.”
The Guardian also lauded the collection: “If you like getting into a canoe but sometimes struggle with contemporary poetry, this could be the book you’ve been waiting for.” Highlighting how the poems weave themes of water—from memories of Exeter quay to instructions for righting a kayak and declarations of river rights—the review notes the collection’s ability to leave readers “cleansed, reminded that human beings are 60% water.”
Sophie Dumont’s Sculling is available at Toppings & Company bookshop, Mr B’s in Bath, and online via Amazon and Hachette. This collection stands as a testament to how personal tragedy can fuel creative brilliance, drawing from the resilience of the human spirit and the eternal flow of the River Avon.