A recommendation

[Monique]

New British Poetry
Edited by Don Paterson and Charles Simic
ISBN: 0-88784-7013
$24.95 CDN
$16.00 US

[HowardM2]

Looks like an excellent anthology:

Amazon link (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1555973949/qid=1103569977/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/103-3961520-0448617)


Contributors - New British Poetry
Gillian Allnutt
Simon Armitage
John Ash
Sujata Bhatt
John Burnside
Robert Crawford
Fred D’Aguiar
Peter Didsbury
Michael Donaghy
Carol Ann Duffy
Ian Duhig
Paul Farley
James Fenton
Mark Ford
John Glenday
Lavinia Greenlaw
W. N. Herbert
Selima Hill
Michael Hofmann
Kathleen Jamie
Alan Jenkins
Jackie Kay
Gwyneth Lewis
Roddy Lumsden
Glyn Maxwell
Jamie McKendrick
Andrew Motion
Sean O’Brien
Alice Oswald
Ruth Padel
Don Paterson
Peter Reading
Christopher Reid
Robin Robertson
Anne Rouse
Jo Shapcott

Reviews of New British Poetry (copied from Graywolf Press website, the U. S. publisher):


“Paterson’s introductory essay, a tour-de-force defense of ‘mainstream’ poetry which deserves to be read by all poets….What these poets possess in spades is skill and daring, a way of engaging the world and poetic tradition that brings alive both the language and the history it embodies.” —Toronto Globe and Mail

“One hopes that, with the introduction of this keen, carefully selected group of poets and poems, American readers will become as familiar with British poetry as British readers are with American poetry. Mr. Paterson and Mr. Simic seem to have had a successful collaboration, for readers will find in their anthology writers—such as Alice Oswald, Glyn Maxwell, and Andrew Motion—of varied accomplishment but certain talent.” —American Poet

“[New British Poetry] seeks to bridge the miles between two cultures and bring poetry back to the populace. Editors Don Paterson and Charles Simic compiled work from 36 poets into a robust sampling of established and emerging voices from across the Atlantic. Despite the volume and diversity of verse, the collection is accessible and engaging.” —The Fargo Forum

“New British Poetry, with its forthright title, is nothing less than a single volume solution to the plight of North American and British poets and poetry readers who find themselves divided not only by a common language, but by culture and ocean. Simic and Paterson, working from opposite sides, have built a splendid poetic bridge across the Pond.” —Billy Collins

“Readers in the UK are far more conversant with contemporary North American poetry than we are with what’s being written on the other side of the Atlantic. The depth and richness of Simic and Paterson’s selection will go a long way toward redressing this imbalance, and offer readers pleasure, surprise, and an open window on the vitality of British poetry now.” —Mark Doty

“New British Poetry has given me the chance to encounter a number of poets new to me, also to re-appreciate some others. I should think most North American readers interested in contemporary British poetry would feel the same.” —William Pritchard

[Harry R]

You'd think an anthology of contemporary British poetry would be such an obvious thing to do that there would be several out at any particular time, but it seems not. So perhaps I'll buy this one.

Harry

[HowardM2]

Here's the Amazon UK link (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1555973949/qid=1103570815/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_10_4/202-8606525-3872642). For some reason, I couldn't locate it at Amazon US at first and found it here before I got it to turn up there.

[Steph#2]

There are some of my favourite poets amongst the list and now I know what I want for Crimbo!

Steph

[HowardM2]

Courtesy of AmazonUK:

Note: orders placed now for this item will not be dispatched in time for Christmas.

[Monk Bretton]

Originally posted by Harry R
You'd think an anthology of contemporary British poetry would be such an obvious thing to do that there would be several out at any particular time, but it seems not. So perhaps I'll buy this one.

Harry
Bloodaxe have one (http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/titlepage.asp?isbn=1852242442) --it is getting a little long in the tooth now. I think it was meant as response to Penguin's anthology (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140585524/qid=1103576740/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_0_1/026-3712996-4723607) . Itself looking a little out of date.

[Harry R]

Originally posted by Monk Bretton
Bloodaxe have one (http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/titlepage.asp?isbn=1852242442) --it is getting a little long in the tooth now. I think it was meant as response to Penguin's anthology (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140585524/qid=1103576740/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_0_1/026-3712996-4723607) . Itself looking a little out of date.


I have the Bloodaxe one, in fact.

Harry

[Monk Bretton]

Sticking the word woman (http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/titlepage.asp?isbn=1852243988) on the cover of a poetry book continues to be a popular publishing tactic. And Bloodaxe continue their rather startling (http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/1852243988.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg) covers policy, and use of bizarre titles. Their books are reasonably priced, though.