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Seamus Heaney and the Language of Poetry
Seamus Heaney is one of the most popular Irish poets writing today, and although his critics have recognized the centrality of the language of his poetry and his pronouncements on language, these aspects of his work have received little concentrated critical attention. Berhnard O'Donoghue, himself a poet, works chronologically through Heaney's poetry -- focusing on Heaney's writing on the appropriate language of poetry and his theory of poetry and the writer's responsibility to art and politics. Covers topics such as English or Irish 60s Heaney. Phonetics and from Wintering Out to Field Work. The limbo of lost the Sweeney complex. Beyond the The Haw Lantern; Seeing Things. Heaney's 'Ars Poetica'; Dante and The Government of the Tongue. For those interested in modern and contemporary poetry, and Irish literature.
- GenresPoetry
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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June 13, 2014
With a desire to read some of O’Donoghue’s poems, I searched the public library catalogue. One book of his they had, and only one – this title. Much as I love Heaney’s poetry, this was not O’Donoghue’s poetry (or Heaney’s come to that) & the title was not vastly enticing. However, at least it would give some indication of what his writing was like, and so I ordered it without any great enthusiasm.
I do so love being drastically wrong – well it happens so very occasionally! In this case I was very drastically wrong in my first impressions of this book & its cover.
O’Donoghue combines the best qualities of a poet writing about poetry, with those of a scholar when writing about Heaney. He wrote with enthusiasm for Heaney’s work, with great insight & sensitivity, and superb balance. His focus on linguistic aspects of the poems taught me much about work I have read a number of times.
His use & assessment of other critics of Heaney was excellent, drawing from their work what was best, and giving fair representation to a breadth of views.
By the time I had got halfway through, I already had my own copy on order. Well, it is so frustrating to read a whole book of quality without being able to underline or write notes in the margins – in pencil of course.
As to O’Donoghue’s poetry I was also fortunate enough at last to find a volume of his poems in a favourite 2nd bookshop & it’s proving well worth the wait.
I do so love being drastically wrong – well it happens so very occasionally! In this case I was very drastically wrong in my first impressions of this book & its cover.
O’Donoghue combines the best qualities of a poet writing about poetry, with those of a scholar when writing about Heaney. He wrote with enthusiasm for Heaney’s work, with great insight & sensitivity, and superb balance. His focus on linguistic aspects of the poems taught me much about work I have read a number of times.
His use & assessment of other critics of Heaney was excellent, drawing from their work what was best, and giving fair representation to a breadth of views.
By the time I had got halfway through, I already had my own copy on order. Well, it is so frustrating to read a whole book of quality without being able to underline or write notes in the margins – in pencil of course.
As to O’Donoghue’s poetry I was also fortunate enough at last to find a volume of his poems in a favourite 2nd bookshop & it’s proving well worth the wait.
Displaying 1 of 1 review