Waterstones Collected Poems: 1945-1990 R.S.Thomas
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Price: £16.99
Brand: Waterstones
Description: Published to mark the poet's 80th birthday, this collection confirms R. S. Thomas as our pre-eminent poet.' This is the book I've been waiting for' Ted Hughes. Waterstones Collected Poems: 1945-1990 R.S.Thomas - shop the best deal online on thebookbug.co.uk
Category: Books
Merchant: Waterstones
Product ID: 9780753811054
Delivery cost: 2.99
ISBN: 9780753811054
Author: Dr. H. A. Jones
Rating: 5
Review: Not as well-known as his Welsh namesake, Dylan, R.S. Thomas wrote wonderful poetry often encapsulating the spirit of his homeland. Born in my home town of Cardiff in Wales, Thomas was known in his lifetime as much as an eloquent and passionate preacher as he was as a poet. Although all these poems are in English, Thomas was a great advocate of all aspects of Welshness, though he did not learn the language until he was an adult. There is no Commentary in this collection on the man or his work, but it provides a comprehensive overview of Thomas' poetry with over four hundred examples, steeped in the Wales he knew all of his life. I cannot compare his poetic style with anyone, for it is unique. This is a collection for those who wish to know something of the atmosphere of life in Wales during the twentieth century. Several of those who have given this collection a 5* review have said much of what I could say.
Author: Howard Selina
Rating: 3
Review: I had already started a 'return' to Amazon on this order, until a bit of searching revealed that it was the only edition of the Collected Poems available - so the return was cancelled and I've kept the book. The 'new edition', with a forward by Andrew Motion, doesn't seem to actually exist anymore - at least I couldn't find a copy anywhere on the internet. But I did discover a reference to there being a serious 'error' in Andrew Motion's forward; in that it stated R S Thomas was a vicar in the Church of England; the truth being, apparently, that he was a vicar in the Church of Wales. So, by all means order this book for the wonderful writing; but be prepared to be a little disappointed in the book production. The paper is of fairly poor quality, and there is a great deal of 'show through' from the preceeding or following pages. A shame. I have the 'Uncollected Poems', published by Bloodaxe Books, and the difference in the quality of paper and printing is quite staggering. W&N/Orion Books, should really be quite ashamed of their offering.
