Lake District an Anthology

by Norman Nicholson (Compiler)

Norman Nicholson, the Cumbrian poet, presents an anthology arranged under topics such as fells, dales, work, play, lake poets and customs.

400 pages, Paperback

First published July 27, 1978

About the author

Norman Cornthwaite Nicholson OBE, was an English poet associated with the Cumbrian town of Millom. His poetry is noted for its local concerns, straightforward language, and elements of common speech. Although it is poetry for which he is chiefly known, he wrote many works in other forms: novels, plays, essays, topography and criticism.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This anthology was first published in 1977. It mostly contains work from the 18th & 19th centuries, with a handful of 20th century work thrown in. It does have a good mix of writers. Obviously the Wordsworths (William & Dorothy) appear several times. I never used to be a big fan of William Wordsworth's poetry, but I really liked the majority of his poems featured in this. I believe some are lesser known (well, if they are not, they were to me!). This collection is divided into sections, each of a different topic, which works well. I would definitely recommend this book to readers who know the Lake District as it helps to be able to picture certain places that are talked of.

[Reg Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent anthology, which, while not ignoring the travel writers and visitors to the area, manages to get beyond the accepted and received ideas of the beautiful district and reflect other aspects too coming from local inhabitants and workers. I found some of the dialect pieces difficult to read but was still able to move on through the anthology with enjoyment.

[Amy Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much in here that I really enjoyed...and so much Cumbrian dialect that I really struggled to get through. Really glad to have it on my shelf, though, I will probably pull it down and pick and choose bits to reread in future.