Jane Cooper: A Radiance of Attention

Jane Cooper (1924–2007) was a highly respected poet who published only five volumes of poetry but was a mentor to many aspiring poets. Her elegant, honest, and emotionally precise poems addressed the challenges of women's lives, particularly those in the arts. Martha Collins and Celia Bland have collected essential writing on Cooper's poetry in Jane Cooper: A Radiance of Attention, including reviews of her collections and personal remembrances from Marie Howe, Jan Heller Levi, and Thomas Lux. The volume will be a welcome addition to the collection of anyone who has already come to love Cooper's work and attract new readers, especially younger poets.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2019
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Jane Cooper, a remarkable poet whose literary journey spanned just five volumes, left an indelible mark on her contemporaries and the literary world. Over nearly forty years, she graced the halls of Sarah Lawrence College as a beloved teacher, nurturing the aspirations of countless aspiring poets. Her poetic prowess was characterized by elegance, honesty, and a profound emotional and formal precision that resonated deeply with readers, particularly women, and explored the intricacies of their lives, particularly those in the arts.

In Jane Cooper: A Radiance of Attention, Martha Collins and Celia Bland have compiled a comprehensive collection of essential writings on Cooper's poetry. This volume offers a diverse range of perspectives, from in-depth analyses of Cooper's creative process to thoughtful examinations of individual poems. It also includes insightful reviews of her collections, including a previously unpublished piece on her debut book, The Weather of Six Mornings (1969), penned by James Wright, a lifelong champion of her work.

Contributions from Marie Howe, Jan Heller Levi, and Thomas Lux, among others, provide personal recollections of Cooper as a teacher, colleague, and profound inspiration. L. R. Berger's heartfelt tribute to Cooper's final days adds a poignant closure to this remarkable volume.

For those who have already fallen under the spell of Jane Cooper's poetry, A Radiance of Attention will serve as a treasured addition to their collection. Moreover, it will captivate a new generation of readers, particularly younger poets, who are drawn to her enduring and timeless poems. Jane Cooper's legacy as a poet continues to shine brightly, leaving an indelible mark on the literary landscape for generations to come.

Weight: 276g
Dimension: 214 x 146 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472037414