Bethlehem: A Christmas Poem

by Carol Ann Duffy

Bethlehem is normally a quiet little town on the edge of the desert. But tonight, as dusk falls, there is a sense of something special in the air.

An inn packed with revellers, shepherds sprawled on the grass, animals in their everything will be changed when a bright star bearing news arrives in the sky.

Carol Ann Duffy's evocative poem will transport you to Bethlehem, capturing the sights, the sounds and the atmosphere of this ancient and magical place.

Presented as a beautiful small hardback, with illustrations by Alice Stevenson, Bethlehem by Carol Ann Duffy is a Christmas gift to treasure.

Genres: Poetry, Christmas, Holiday, Religion

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Dame Carol Ann Duffy, DBE, FRSL is a Scottish poet and playwright. She is Professor of Contemporary Poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University, and was appointed Britain's Poet Laureate in May 2009.

She is the first woman, the first Scot, and the first openly LGBT person to hold this position.

Her collections include Standing Female Nude (1985), winner of a Scottish Arts Council Award; Selling Manhattan (1987), which won a Somerset Maugham Award; Mean Time (1993), which won the Whitbread Poetry Award; and Rapture (2005), winner of the T. S. Eliot Prize.

Her poems address issues such as oppression, gender, and violence, in an accessible language that has made them popular in schools.

Reviews

[Sean Barrs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little poem to enjoy over Christmas!

[jolovesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

The story of Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem is well known. This brings Bethlehem alive for us and tells us what else might've been happening there on that night.

A special little book to read on Christmas Eve.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like The Christmas Truce this is beautifully illustrated and written. Don't mistake this for a child's book, though children will enjoy the pictures and may appreciate the sense of the words. The poem is cleverly written, and perfectly balanced by the illustrations to really bring Bethlehem to life.

An ideal gift book.

[Callum McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy picking up some of Duffy's illustrated festive poems just before Christmas. This one isn't exactly a new favourite, and I found the ending oddly abrupt, but its gentle rhythm and familiar subject matter tap into the cosy nostalgia of the season.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read other Duffy Christmas books. Stable behind the inn. Reference to "hoping it might be so" (Hardy's "The Oxen"). Wise men come later. Not sure why someone had "pale palms."

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bethlehem is Duffy's Christmas poem of 2013. Alice Stevenson's art is lovely and fitting, particularly with regard to scenery and still lives, and Duffy is on form with the originality of her wordplay throughout. I particularly enjoyed the use of sibilants, and think that this would be a great volume to read aloud: 'The moon rose; the shepherd's sprawled, / shawled, / a rough ring on sparse grass, passing / a leather flask', for instance. On the whole, it is a really sweet poem which promotes a nice message, but I think it would have been better had it been extended slightly. Still, it is a lovely contemplative Christmas read.

[Amy Welham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this read by Carol Ann Duffy and would recommend others to do so, there is a reading available on YouTube. Duffy uses her skills to tell the story of the nativity, the descriptive language and imagery are stunning as with all her writing.
It’s not my favourite Christmas poem by her but well worth a look.

[Philip · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it'll grow with several more readings . Quite short of text though . Good illustrations.

[The Bookish Wombat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated little book of Duffy's Christmas poem.

[Ashleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lisa Hobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some lovely images as you would expect from Duffy. Not as lovely as Another Night before Christmas but made a great stocking filler!

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poem made me realise just how good Carol Ann Duffy is. Brilliant!