A Vertical Art: On Poetry

A Vertical Art is a book about poetry that demystifies and celebrates the art form. It is written by Simon Armitage, the UK Poet Laureate and bestselling translator, and offers sparkling new insights about poetry and an array of favorite poets. The chapters are often delightfully sassy in their treatment, discussing topics such as similes, poetic lists, poetry and the underworld, and the dilemmas of translating Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Armitage also pulls back the curtain on the unromantic realities of making a living as a contemporary poet and ends the book with his own list of "Ninety-Five Theses" on the principles and practice of poetry.

Format: Paperback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 24 May 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

A Vertical Art, a spirited book by the UK Poet Laureate and bestselling translator, delves into the art of poetry with a refreshingly down-to-earth approach. Renowned poet Simon Armitage challenges both the simplistic and enigmatic aspects of the poetic spectrum, offering insightful revelations about poetry and a selection of beloved poets.

Drawing from his public lectures as the Oxford Professor of Poetry, A Vertical Art sheds light on a diverse range of poets, including Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Marianne Moore, W. H. Auden, Ted Hughes, Thom Gunn, A. R. Ammons, and Claudia Rankine. The chapters are filled with lively and engaging discussions, such as "Like, Elizabeth Bishop," where Armitage dissects and analyzes the poets' penchant for similes. He also delves into topics such as Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize, poetic lists, the intersection of poetry and the underworld, and the challenges of translating Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

In addition to exploring the poetic landscape, Armitage offers a candid glimpse into the realities of being a contemporary poet, shedding light on the financial struggles and challenges faced by writers in this field. He concludes the book with his own set of "Ninety-Five Theses" on the principles and practices of poetry, providing a thought-provoking and insightful perspective on the art form.

A Vertical Art is an appealingly personal book that delves into the volatile and debated definitions of poetry from the viewpoint of a practicing writer and dedicated reader. It makes an insightful and entertaining case for the power and potential of poetry in today's world, offering readers a fresh and invigorating perspective on this timeless art form.

Dimension: 215. x 139. (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691233109