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Out of Chaos Comes Bliss: Essential Poems
A stunning edition of the greatest poems by the beloved Dylan Thomas, selected and introduced by Cerys Matthews
Dylan Thomas is one of most beloved British poets of all time. Richly melodious and vividly expressive, Thomas's poems strike to the heart of eternal themes of living and dying, of innocence lost and the persistence of nature's cycles.
In this new selection, Cerys Matthews brings together poems from across Thomas's career to showcase the very best of his work. Full of gorgeous imagery and piercing insight, Out of Chaos Comes Bliss is the perfect introduction to this remarkable writer.
Dylan Thomas is one of most beloved British poets of all time. Richly melodious and vividly expressive, Thomas's poems strike to the heart of eternal themes of living and dying, of innocence lost and the persistence of nature's cycles.
In this new selection, Cerys Matthews brings together poems from across Thomas's career to showcase the very best of his work. Full of gorgeous imagery and piercing insight, Out of Chaos Comes Bliss is the perfect introduction to this remarkable writer.
- GenresPoetry
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2024
10 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Dylan Thomas
599 books1,415 followersDylan Marlais Thomas (1914-1953) was a Welsh poet who wrote in English. Many regard him as one of the 20th century's most influential poets.
In addition to poetry, Thomas wrote short stories and scripts for film and radio, with the latter frequently performed by Thomas himself. His public readings, particularly in America, won him great acclaim; his booming, at times, ostentatious voice, with a subtle Welsh lilt, became almost as famous as his works. His best-known work includes the "play for voices" Under Milk Wood and the celebrated villanelle for his dying father, "Do not go gentle into that good night." Appreciative critics have also noted the superb craftsmanship and compression of poems such as "In my craft or sullen art" and the rhapsodic lyricism of Fern Hill.
In addition to poetry, Thomas wrote short stories and scripts for film and radio, with the latter frequently performed by Thomas himself. His public readings, particularly in America, won him great acclaim; his booming, at times, ostentatious voice, with a subtle Welsh lilt, became almost as famous as his works. His best-known work includes the "play for voices" Under Milk Wood and the celebrated villanelle for his dying father, "Do not go gentle into that good night." Appreciative critics have also noted the superb craftsmanship and compression of poems such as "In my craft or sullen art" and the rhapsodic lyricism of Fern Hill.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 30, 2024
I discovered this collection randomly while browsing Shakespeare & Co in Paris, and definitely chose it because the title deeply resonates with me personally and because of the love I’ve had for Dylan Thomas’s “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” since my uni years.
Needless to say I was not disappointed.
Thomas is a master of alliteration, similes, and expressing the world and his thoughts about it in his own unique voice. I also absolutely adored the notes and prologue by Cerys Matthews, who seems to deeply understand Thomas as a writer.
As with many poetry collections, I didn’t identify with all the poems, but who does really in any and all books. I think that’s the concept and the intention of poetry collections, that you are free to take what you like and leave the rest (as Thomas has also sort of said) ✨
Needless to say I was not disappointed.
Thomas is a master of alliteration, similes, and expressing the world and his thoughts about it in his own unique voice. I also absolutely adored the notes and prologue by Cerys Matthews, who seems to deeply understand Thomas as a writer.
As with many poetry collections, I didn’t identify with all the poems, but who does really in any and all books. I think that’s the concept and the intention of poetry collections, that you are free to take what you like and leave the rest (as Thomas has also sort of said) ✨
March 26, 2025
DT <3 Starman, Nature Boy, Storyteller. A wonderful collection that charts the journey of a singing and spiritual voice - sandwiched between an enthusiastic intro and thoughtful notes by the brilliant Cerys Matthews.
It is poetry that makes your toes ‘twinkle’, poetry that transports, poetry that reaffirms, poetry that understands. Read this aloud, keep it safe in your head, lock it away in your chest.
“…And after the soft ascent,
[We] Thrust out our heads above the branches
To wonder at the unfailing stars.”
It is poetry that makes your toes ‘twinkle’, poetry that transports, poetry that reaffirms, poetry that understands. Read this aloud, keep it safe in your head, lock it away in your chest.
“…And after the soft ascent,
[We] Thrust out our heads above the branches
To wonder at the unfailing stars.”
April 6, 2024
With some of these poems, I connected deeply. Some would not speak to me at all.
January 19, 2026
Great collection of poems. To be honest, I just knew one poem from DT (which still is my favourite) before reading it, but here I found a lot more, equally great to read and think about. Specially because of the rhymes, sounds and curious words used.
Some people say that a poem should never be explained, I agree, but sometimes the context of the creation of the poem just feels fair to know. All of that is appreciated to have it in the same place of the poems.
I recommend to read them out loud.
Some people say that a poem should never be explained, I agree, but sometimes the context of the creation of the poem just feels fair to know. All of that is appreciated to have it in the same place of the poems.
I recommend to read them out loud.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews