Crow

Fifty years since the publication of Crow (1970), Ted Hughes' vital and shape-shifting collection, this anniversary edition celebrates its context, including the role of American artist Leonard Baskin and the influence of ancient forms, legends, and beliefs. The result underscores the work's rough music and organic energy, as we encounter the enigmatic, unforgettable, hulking, metamorphic beast-bird itself. These scraps, spoken by a crow, took poetry to a new beginning, transmitting a flash of hope despite their bleakness.

Format: Hardback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2020
Publisher: Faber & Faber

Celebrating fifty years since the original publication of Crow (1970), Ted Hughes' seminal and transformative collection, this anniversary edition delves into the rich context surrounding its creation. In a new foreword by Marina Warner, the book explores the integral role of American artist Leonard Baskin and the profound impact of Hughes' personal tragedies. It also sheds light on the influence of ancient forms, legends, and beliefs on his work.

The result of this exploration underscores the raw energy and organic nature of Hughes' poetry, as we encounter the enigmatic, unforgettable, hulking, metamorphic beast-bird itself. These scraps, spoken by a crow, marked a new beginning in poetry, consisting of mere lines that evoke a range of emotions, from rudeness to surrealism, joy to desolation. Despite their bleakness, these poems contain a glimmer of hope that transcends their despairing tone.

In her admiration for Crow, Alice Oswald expresses her desire to exchange much of English literature for its dark courage and the transformative power it possesses. The book's anniversary edition serves as a testament to Hughes' enduring legacy and the lasting impact of his poetic vision.

Weight: 224g
Dimension: 137 x 204 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571363162
Edition number: Main