Skip to product information
1 of 1

Jay Wright

Soul and Substance: A Poet's Examination Papers

Soul and Substance: A Poet's Examination Papers

Regular price £19.55 GBP
Regular price £25.00 GBP Sale price £19.55 GBP
21% OFF Sold out
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

YOU SAVE £5.45

  • Condition: Brand new
  • UK Delivery times: Usually arrives within 2 - 3 working days
  • UK Shipping: Fee starts at £2.39. Subject to product weight & dimension
Trustpilot 4.5 stars rating  Excellent
We're rated excellent on Trustpilot.
  • More about Soul and Substance: A Poet's Examination Papers

Jay Wright is an acclaimed poet, essayist, and playwright who has written a series of unconventional essays called "examination papers." These essays explore artistic and philosophical concerns, including language, aesthetic form, knowledge, time, and death. Soul and Substance presents these pieces for the first time, drawing on African mythology, mathematical axioms, and the limits of human knowledge. The book is experimental and original and is an important addition to Wright's work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 472 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press


Jay Wright, a highly acclaimed poet, essayist, and playwright, has emerged as one of the most significant American poets of the past half-century. However, in recent years, he has ventured into the realm of unconventional essays, known as "examination papers," which he defines as "designated inquiries to myself." These linked essays, resembling prose-poems with only a few lines per page, delve into profound artistic and philosophical concerns, encompassing language, aesthetic form, knowledge, time, and death.

In his captivating collection, Soul and Substance, Wright presents these thought-provoking pieces for the first time. Drawing from a diverse range of sources, including African mythology and mathematical axioms, Wright explores a wide array of topics. These include the complexities of defining and confronting death, the quest to transcend one's consciousness, the nature of rhythm and spatial structure, and the intricate relationship between the self, the body, and the material world. Throughout the book, Wright challenges the boundaries of human knowledge and examines the profound implications of our limited understanding.

With its experimental and original approach, Soul and Substance serves as a significant addition to Wright's remarkable body of work. This collection invites readers to embark on a thought-provoking journey, exploring the depths of human existence and the complexities of the world around us.


Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691245966

This item can be found in:

UK and International shipping information

UK Delivery and returns information:

  • Delivery within 2 - 3 days when ordering in the UK.
  • Shipping fee for UK customers from £2.39. Fully tracked shipping service available.
  • Returns policy: Return within 30 days of receipt for full refund.

International deliveries:

Shulph Ink now ships to Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, India, Luxembourg Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, United States of America.

  • Delivery times: within 5 - 10 days for international orders.
  • Shipping fee: charges vary for overseas orders. Only tracked services are available for most international orders. Some countries have untracked shipping options.
  • Customs charges: If ordering to addresses outside the United Kingdom, you may or may not incur additional customs and duties fees during local delivery.
View full details