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A Little History of Poetry |
Any history of "language made special" covering 4,000 years on four continents is bound to be highly selective but, if the test is to communicate a love of poetry making you revisit poets you know and try those you don't, this passes the test triumphantly. English and American poetry of the last two centuries dominate but there are delights from earlier eras and different cultures. The comments on Chaucer and Yeats are especially illuminating but there are any number of insights. A good escape from the world of lockdown.
(Tony Pratt - bwl 99 Winter 2021) |
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William Golding: the man who wrote Lord of the Flies |
Golding had a remarkably vivid imagination (he did only minimal research) but was racked by self-doubt and alcoholism. Carey's excellent biography (meticulously researched from original sources) is a long but compelling account of this driven genius and his work. His experiences as a naval officer and teacher had a huge impact on his subsequent depiction of human relationships. He and his editor Charles Monteith (obliquely criticised) formed one of the great literary relationships. Highly recommended.
(Hugh Pearman - bwl 55 Winter 2010) |
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