The Forward Book of Poetry 2016

by Various, A.L. Kennedy (Foreword)

The Forward Book of Poetry 2016 showcases the best of contemporary poetry published in the British Isles over the year, including the winners of 2015's Forward Prizes for Poetry. This anthology is the 24th in a series that offers an invaluable annual overview of the current state of poetry.

Genres: Poetry

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 2015

About the author

Various is the correct author for any book with multiple unknown authors, and is acceptable for books with multiple known authors, especially if not all are known or the list is very long (over 50).

If an editor is known, however, Various is not necessary. List the name of the editor as the primary author (with role "editor"). Contributing authors' names follow it.

Note: WorldCat is an excellent resource for finding author information and contents of anthologies.

Reviews

[Paul O’Neill · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an annual collection showcasing all the poems reviewed for the three Forward prizes, amongst the biggest given out in poetry every year. Probably not the best place to look for great poetry for the 'casual' poetry reader, which is what I am. There are far too many pretentious, stuffy poems in here.

Still, it wasn't a waste of time, I have a few more names to add to my to read list.
- Mona Arshi
- Alan Gillis (My favourite poem from this collection)
- Matthew Siegel
- Don Paterson

[Peter Longden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The eighth volume of Forward Poetry that I have read and, though each year is different in terms of content, topics, poets, style and messages contained in the words, the impact is consistent: these books give an excellent overview of the quality of contemporary poetry for that year in question.
In this volume includes, as Al Kennedy’s foreword explains, “writers who weren’t simply talking to themselves, or to the poetry community…poets who were reaching out, testing themselves against complex subjects, being happily challenged by the demands of simplicity and the pressure to be both beautiful and clear. He also points out that “Poetry is an art with the power to remind us of all that is inherently valuable” and for anyone who wants to understand the value of good contemporary poetry, shouldn’t miss collections such as these.
Among my favourite poems in this collection:
Tom Chivers, ‘Security’: “Trick or Treaters are not all kids as campers are not all happy”;
Alan Gillis, ‘Bulletin from The Daily Mail’: “You must have seen those Rent Street potheads, their skin all sweating processed chicken meat”;
John Glenday, ‘British Pearls’, “British pearls are exceptionally poor.”
Marilyn Hacker, ‘Pantoum in Wartime’, “Were the mountain women sold as slaves / in the city my friend has not written from for two weeks?”
Perhaps my favourite:
Christopher Reid, ‘The Cyclists’, “The cyclists took the corner / in italics. An entire paragraph.”
…and many more.
Another first-class collection to be enjoyed.

[Cooch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of very strong poems

Almost all the poems here are good. Some are very good. Some are excellent. I have bought a couple of collections in the strength of what I have read here.

[Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very hit and miss

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This poetry collection is very 50/50, some of the poetry is really good, some of it not so great. I would recommend it to anyone who is new to poetry or is still trying to find what poetry suits them.

[Allen Radtke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mixed collection this year provides some outstanding individual items, but the overall impression is less emotionally compelling, intellectually demanding and stirring than in previous years. Interesting that I found a few of the best in this edition deeply sad and thought-provoking, but unaccompanied by those contrapuntals that fill us with hope and inspiration for our species. Maybe this is a sign of our times and a byproduct of the deluge of dispiriting news we suffer from day-to-day. This volume is still worth the price of admission, however, as it holds some gems.

[Coley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst I liked a lot of the poems in this book, I have enjoyed other poetry compilations a lot more. If I had been reading this alone, I may have enjoyed it more but as it stands I read it for my course whilst reading other pieces of poetry. I do, however, think there are some truly amazing poets included in the collection that I would like to read more of

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly I found this collection mediocre and very little stood out to me. Notable exceptions being Andrew MacMillan whose collection Physical I first noticed in the Gay's The Word bookshop in London and which I shall now be buying. The absolute diamond amongst the rhinestone was the poem by Elaine Feinstein which was about the life of my favourite author Jean Rhys!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I especially enjoyed 4 poems closer to he start but overall quite enjoyed the collection.
Will be picking up Sarah Howe's Loop Of Jade having loved both her poems in this book!