John Clare

by John Clare, Paul Farley (Compiler)

In this series, a contemporary poet selects and introduces a poet of the past. By their choice of poems and by the personal and critical reactions they express in their prefaces, the editors offer insights into their own work as well as providing an accessible and passionate introduction to the most important poets in our literature.

Genres: Poetry, Nature, Environment

144 pages, Hardcover

Published August 9, 2016

About the author

John Clare was an English poet, in his time commonly known as "the Northamptonshire Peasant Poet", born the son of a farm labourer at Helpston (which, at the time of his birth, was in the Soke of Peterborough, which itself was part of Northamptonshire) near Peterborough. His poetry underwent a major re-evaluation in the late 20th century and he is often now considered to be one of the most important 19th-century poets.

For other authors with this name see: psychotherapist and artist John Clare, history educator John D. Clare and John Clare.

Reviews

[Goodreeds User · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minimal, local, and earnest – the simplicity of this is sometimes charming but sometimes a slog – I wanted it to do more! A lot of these are closer to micro-fictions than poems, narrating walks through various woods or fields. Sometimes they’re done like lyrics and the rhythm is cool but the content is rarely more than a list of things in a place. Even when he’s in a more free-verse, and can explore and connect ideas following a feeling instead of a pattern, the sincerity and immersion feels restricted and regulated by a sonnet form. The collection can be repetitive, and in turns this is comforting and frustrating. However. Occasionally, without breaking the formula, it reaches something sublime. I don’t know how, it’s a kind of magic I don’t understand, but there are moments when everything intertwines to become really beautiful. All of the best poems are about a bird being in a tree while John is nearby on the ground. Things get interesting when the place of the author in the environment becomes active, when there’s a tension – will he disturb the beautiful scene, will it disappear? Are the animals content to go about their business knowing he’s there, is he accepted? Sometimes I think John Clare writes without knowing what makes his best work so good, and as a result his selected collected works are a real mixed bag of treasures and trudges, a few shiny eggs in a basket of twigs.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Clare is my new favorite nature poet.

[Umbar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very optimistic when I bought these poetry collections. I still don't think poetry and I get along but this had some gems and was a more pleasant read than Wordsworth.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intrigued to read after reading about his life in the wonderful Iain Sinclair book. These are nature poems but without any of the romanticism which puts me off most of the genre. Striking descriptions but almost a matter of fact tone about most of them which resonated with me. Some wonderful old English dialect and words. The glossary at the back gives some gems.

[S.M. Jenkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, well observed, sharp and poignant . The weight of a life lived in poverty and bereft of the open landscape, economic inequality, does not remove and of the beauty and power of these poems. Each specific place and part of life, the birds, their nests, the people inhabiting the landscape are known and described in their particular and unique beauties. This is love, as the world is seen.

[Richard Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

My blog on an excellent book

https://richardswsmith.wordpress.com/...

[Jem Wilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can feel the countryside in his work!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Clare will always have my heart, and this little volume is beautifully curated.