The Song of Deeds: A Study of The Anathemata of David Jones

by Neil Corcoran

David Jones's long poem The Anathemata first published in 1952, has always been admired, particularly by other poets. Eliot thought it the "remarkable" work of a writer "of major importance," and Auden described it as "the greatest long poem written in English in this century." Neil Corcoran's study is concerned with the critical task of suggesting the nature, scope and significance of David Jones's achievement. It explores the affinities between Jones's work and that of other modernists, particularly Eliot and Joyce; and it attempts to trace Jones's importance in the history and development of modern British poetry.  

120 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Liam Guilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent example of how criticism can work. It's intelligent, thought provoking, and like the best criticism, it makes me impatient to reread the poem it's discussing.

Corcoran addresses the complexities of the Anathemata in clear and unambigious prose, steering a steady course from background to specifics. The highest praise I can give the book is that now I've finished it, I want to go back and take notes.

Not 'The last word on The Anathemata'. That's the poem itself, but an excellent guide to one way of reading it.