Rural Muse

by John Clare

The Rural Muse. 1835. John Clare's fourth (and last, during his lifetime) published poetry collection.

Genres: Poetry

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

John Clare was an English poet, in his time commonly known as "the Northamptonshire Peasant Poet", born the son of a farm labourer at Helpston (which, at the time of his birth, was in the Soke of Peterborough, which itself was part of Northamptonshire) near Peterborough. His poetry underwent a major re-evaluation in the late 20th century and he is often now considered to be one of the most important 19th-century poets.

For other authors with this name see: psychotherapist and artist John Clare, history educator John D. Clare and John Clare.

Reviews

[hawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a really nice surprise - knowing only the poets name, and little else, when i spotted it in one of the libraries. i think even had i had expectations they might have been surpassed.


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i found the poems gentle, yet carrying within them such a strength. unassuming is maybe a good word.

the language and rhythm and rhyme impressed me - the poems felt exquisitely crafted, and nothing felt forced.

and the poets observations and attention to detail were probably one of the aspects that struck me the most 😍


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there was some really nice imagery, and some very nice observations - the landscape, the plants, animal and human activity.
and especially the observations of nature, and nature of many kinds - suggesting both the attention he paid to the natural world, and the behaviour of its inhabitants, and his love of (and perhaps sense of place amongst) them ♥💚


🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 +


accessed as an RNIB talking book, well read by Robin Holmes 🙂

[Tiffa Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

i believe john clare is one of the greatest poet. his poetry is so unique since he put his agriculture skill into describing nature inside his poetry. it holds hope and pain, tense and rest, acceptance to his satuation and the rejection of others. this way of living, being poor, struggling with life was reflected in every poem he wrote. the fact that he spend his last years in asylum and still manage to give these wonderful poems only make me believe if john was in different time, he would've become an icon which i believe he already was. but he could've delivered more if he got the right support. his poetry need to be analyzed and i do think he started to get more and more attention at the last couple years so i hope i can find more informations and background about each poem.