Poetry
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Kevin Powers: “I contemplated giving up on Infinite Jest numerous times”
One of my earliest memories of reading dates back to my time as a first grader in Chesterfield County, Virginia, when I encountered the poignant moments of Old Dan and Little Ann in Wilson Rawls’ novel, Where the Red Fern Grows. Their deaths left a lasting impression on me. As a child, my favorite book…
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A Comprehensive Review of the Finest Contemporary Poetry
Fetch by Colin Bramwell (And Other Stories, £14.99) has garnered significant acclaim for Bramwell’s translation of Fernando Pessoa’s writings into Scots, earning him both the Oxford Weidenfeld Translation Prize and the Highland Book Prize. The process of translation inherently involves navigating the space between the original and the new language, where the translator seeks to…
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Ukrainian Artists Transform Anger into Art: A Dual Journey of Mourning and Defiance | Charlotte Higgins
On two occasions, I have witnessed Ukrainians perform Verdi’s Requiem, first in Lviv during last Maundy Thursday and again recently beneath the grand dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. At St. Paul’s, the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra collaborated with the Philharmonia Chorus to deliver a stirring rendition of the Dies irae, which resonated powerfully through…
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Emily Wilson Embarks on Fresh Translation of the Odyssey
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Emily Wilson, recognized as the first woman to translate Homer’s “Odyssey” into English, is embarking on a complete retranslation of the ancient Greek epic poem, just under ten years after her widely acclaimed version was released. This announcement follows a summer of debate sparked by Wilson’s critical review of Christopher Nolan’s recent film adaptation of…
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The Residences of Authors: Centers of Defiance and Revival | Correspondence
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In response to your correspondence regarding the preservation of authors’ residences, we would like to highlight Cyprus Well, the former home of poet Charles Causley (1917-2003), located in Launceston, Cornwall. As a small charity, we take pride in welcoming aspiring writers, schoolchildren, local residents, and tourists throughout the year. This cottage, where Causley spent 50…
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The Guardian’s Perspective on the Surge in Poetry Sales: A Modern Encounter Between Homer and Instapoets | Editorial
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In a 1992 short story titled “Career Move,” published in the New Yorker, Martin Amis envisioned a scenario where screenwriters struggled to earn a living through obscure publications, while poets enjoyed international fame and prosperity. This ironic twist on established norms has proven to be remarkably prophetic, as the film and television sectors currently face…
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“Readers Share Their Inspiration from Experiencing The Odyssey and Exploring Homer’s Timeless Epics”
Tommy Maddinson, a 26-year-old from London, shares, “This summer, I’m immersing myself in classics.” His interest was sparked by Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey, prompting him to visit cinemas, explore the British Museum, and read Homer’s epic before the film premiered. “I finished the book just the day before its release. Since then, I’ve…
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The Surge of Poetry: A Vital Expression Amidst Turmoil and Conflict | Charlotte Higgins
This year is anticipated to witness the highest poetry sales since record-keeping began, largely attributed to the influence of film adaptations. In the UK, print sales of Homer’s “The Odyssey” surged by an astonishing 1,400% during the four weeks leading up to July 25, compared to the same timeframe the previous year. Meanwhile, in the…
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We want to hear from you: Has Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey ignited your passion for classical literature and poetry?
Sales of poetry in the UK are set to achieve unprecedented levels this year, largely attributed to the popularity of Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of Homer’s epic, The Odyssey. We invite individuals who have developed an interest in Homer’s work as a result of the film to share their experiences with us. Has this adaptation…
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Beyond Homer: A New Wave of Poets Achieving Remarkable Success
The anticipated demise of poetry, which has been lamented far too soon in the past, has been postponed once again, this time due to the release of the film adaptation of the Odyssey. Christopher Nolan’s cinematic interpretation has sparked a remarkable 1,400% increase in sales of Homer’s epic poem during the weeks surrounding its debut.…
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Huw Edwards Faces Backlash for Participating in Welsh Poetry Contest
Huw Edwards, the former BBC presenter embroiled in controversy, has faced backlash after participating in a Welsh poetry contest using a false name. Sera Cracroft, an actress recognized for her role in the popular BBC Welsh-language soap opera Pobol y Cwm, expressed her concerns to the BBC, stating that it would have been “devastating” had…
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Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Sparks a Surge in Poetry Sales Across the UK
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Poetry sales in the UK are projected to achieve unprecedented levels this year, driven largely by the popularity of Christopher Nolan’s recent cinematic adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey. According to market research firm NielsenIQ, poetry sales exceeded £8 million during the first 30 weeks of 2026, marking a 13.3% increase compared to the same timeframe…
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A Curated Review of the Most Outstanding Contemporary Poetry
Small Birds Singing by Matthew Welton (Carcanet, £12.99) presents a collection of poems crafted in unrhymed couplets that expand and contract across the page reminiscent of a concertina’s musical scales. Welton’s work draws the reader’s focus to urban life through the changing seasons, capturing images such as weeds sprouting through concrete, wasps finding refuge in…
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Remembering Ian McDonald: A Life in Reflection
Ian McDonald, who passed away at the age of 93, is best known for his singular novel, which has achieved classic status within Caribbean literature. Published in 1969, The Humming-Bird Tree is set in Trinidad during the late 1940s and follows the life of Alan, a young white boy who forms a friendship with Kaiser,…
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The Guardian’s Perspective on Fair Play in Sports: A Game that Missed the Mark | Editorial
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This week, a particular incident has captured significant attention in the sports media, overshadowing even Gianni Infantino’s controversial intentions regarding the football World Cup. The event took place during a second XI cricket match last weekend, featuring teams from Saltburn and Norton in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League. A player in the first…