Branch-Lines: Edward Thomas and Contemporary Poetry

by Guy Cuthbertson (Editor), Lucy Newlyn (Editor)

When Edward Thomas died in the First World War, very few of his poems had been published, but he is now recognised as one of the finest and most influential poets of the last century. Although often referred to as 'a poet’s poet’, his writing has an almost universal appeal. He wrote accessibly, on traditional themes - the natural world, human relationships, transience and mortality. And yet his poetry is alive with the critical intelligence that came from years of writing non-fiction and reviewing verse.

Branch-Lines captures the range of Thomas’s achievement, not least by combining poetry with prose. In this unique collection, fifty-five contemporary poets reflect on Thomas’s craftsmanship and enduring power. Some have chosen poems of their own in which they detect his influence, others have written new poems in his honour. Each poet has also contributed a piece of prose, and the volume contains an introduction, four critical essays, illustrations, a Foreword by Andrew Motion and an Afterword by Michael Longley. Branch-Lines offers a fascinating perspective on the workings of literary influence, with personal insights from some of the leading poet-critics of our time.

'The collection has a double value. It is a celebration of Thomas, and dignified tribute to his achievement; at the same time it bears witness to his powers of regeneration’ - Andrew Motion.

CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE: Dannie Abse * Gillian Clarke * David Constantine * Robert Crawford * Kevin Crossley-Holland * Peter Dale * Jane Draycott * U.A. Fanthorpe * John Fuller * Jane Griffiths * David Harsent * Seamus Heaney * Geoffrey Hill * Jeremy Hooker * P.J. Kavanagh * Grevel Lindop * Edna Longley * Michael Longley * Glyn Maxwell * Jamie McKendrick * Andrew Motion * Paul Muldoon * Bernard O’Donoghue * Tom Paulin * Peter Porter * Jem Poster * Vernon Scannell * Peter Scupham * Owen Sheers * Penelope Shuttle * Jon Stallworthy * Anne Stevenson * Charles Tomlinson * Clive Wilmer

Genres: Poetry

264 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

I am a Professor of British Literature and Culture, and I've written books on Wilfred Owen, the 1918 Armistice and Lady Chatterley's Lover. I've also edited three books about Edward Thomas. I gave the British Academy's Chatterton Lecture in 2018, on Edward Thomas. I have appeared on various television programmes, radio programmes and podcasts. You can find out more about me on my website.

My next book, about Lady Chatterley’s Lover, will be published in May 2026 by Yale University Press.

‘Seriously entertaining even on the serious subject of censorship, this is a very clever look at the life of a book. Disgustingly good.’ – Lucy Worsley, author of Jane Austen at Home

‘Erudite, informative and told with humour. I loved this account of the explosive arrival and embattled aftermath of a literary sensation – and of the response from an outwardly prudish, inwardly prurient public. Lawrence’s ‘dirty little book’ has changed the world.’—Cal Flyn, author of Islands of Abandonment

'Peace at Last: A Portrait of Armistice Day, 11 November 1918' was published by Yale University Press in October 2018. Peace at Last was 'Book of the Week' in The Evening Standard, and it was included in the Daily Telegraph's ‘Books of the Year’, The New Statesman's 'Best Books of 2018' and in the ‘Best Books of 2018’ in Gulf News.

My biography of Wilfred Owen was published by Yale University Press in 2014 and in paperback in 2015. A Daily Mail 'Book of the Week’ and 'Must Read'. 'Top Ten Biographies of the Year: 2014', Booklist. ‘Books of the Year’, New Zealand Book Council. ‘Books of 2014’, BBC. ‘Pick of the Paperbacks’, The Sunday Times.

I studied at St Andrews University (MA) and then at The Queen's College, Oxford University (M.Phil and D.Phil).