Modern Irish Poetry: An Anthology

by Patrick Crotty

Overview

Dufour Editions, an independent publisher and distributor for more than forty years, has an established reputation as a fine literary house. International poetry has always been outstanding in the list, which initially began with some of Thomas Kinsella's and John Montague's first books from the prestigious Dolmen Press.

Since those early days, the complete poetry list has grown to include prize-winning poets from twenty-nine countries. Many of the poets have toured and been interviewed in the U.S. Some are Nobel Prize winners. This catalog introduces some highly regarded poets from publishers whose lists are being distributed in the U.S. and Canada for the first time.

The rewards in publishing poetry are sometimes sublime, as opposed to commercial, but reader response over the years has justified our commitment. The strength of the list is evidenced on this page, on which we salute recent prize-winners whose books are currently being read throughout the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780856405617
Publisher:	Blackstaff Press, The
Publication date:	07/26/1996
Series:	Blackstaff Paperback Original Series
Pages:	436
Product dimensions:	5.94(w) x 8.56(h) x 1.38(d)

Editorial Reviews

This invaluable snapshot of poetry in Ireland today not only includes generous and interesting selections from the central figuresHeaney, Boland, Mahon, Longley, Muldoon, McGuckianbut also harbors the work of vital poets not known as well in the States: the delightful Paul Durcan, the enchanting Irish (in translation) of Nuala Ni Dhomhnail and many others. But perhaps most interestingly, Crotty brings to his anthology a distinct thesis: much of Irish writing in this century can be seen as a "quarrel" with the "overbearing example of W.B. Yeats." Although one may quarrel with Crotty in this regard, it is refreshing to have an anthology that can be quarrelled with, as opposed to the usual inarguably worthy selections. And Crotty's perspective (he is a young poet and translator from the Irish from Cork) makes for some eye-opening takes on such poets as Thomas Kinsella and Patrick Kavanagh, whose styles are highlighted by the juxtaposition with Yeats. Crotty also seizes the opportunity to dismiss an early-century experimentalismled by Beckett and Brian Coffeyas a dead end. The result is an anthology that proceeds with the liveliness of a literary argument in a Dublin pub. (July)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly