Housman's Poems

ISBN-13: 9780198117636 / Angielski / Twarda / 1992 / 208 str.

John Bayley

Opis

Although Housman's three collections of poems, the third published posthumously, have remained popular, they have not received much serious critical attention. John Bayley makes good the omission in this thorough and comprehensive reappraisal of the whole oeuvre, placing Housman's achievement in the context of the poetry of his own time and of more recent European and American poetry. Close analysis and comparison with other poets - Hardy, Frost, Edward Thomas, Larkin, and Paul Celan - prove illuminating in relation to a poet who has usually been considered something of an odd man out, and even an anachronism in the modern era. Professor Bayley explores and explains the continuing appeal of the poet to present-day readers, and the nature of the craftsmanship and psychology which lie behind its deceptive simplicities. The book will be a valuable introduction to Housman's achievement for the specialist and the poetry-lover alike.

Although the poetry of A. E. Housman (1859-1936) has remained popular, it has not received much serious critical attention. John Bayley makes good the omission in this thorough and comprehensive reappraisal of the whole oeuvre, placing Housman's achievement in the context of the poetry of his time and of more recent European and American writing.

Recenzje

'this book is written with assurance, with many telling phrases and pointed observations, however much its principal notions seem to merge: a high and respectful intelligence is at work here' L.K. MacKendrick, University of Windsor, Choice, January 1993

O autorze

John Bayley has published numerous critical works, of which the most recent is The Short Story: Henry James to Elizabeth Bowen (1988). He is a regular contributor to the Times Literary Supplement and the London Review of Books.