Poetry Books

Rimbaud's work is a must-read for anyone interested in modern poetry and the French symbolist movement. This bilingual edition is a faithful rendition of Rimbaud's complex verse, and also includes previously omitted versions of poems and letters, making it the best authoritative version of Rimbaud's work available. The book's unique feature is its side-by-side translation, which makes Rimbaud's poetry accessible to readers who are not fluent in French. Overall, this edition is a comprehensive, up-to-date resource for lovers of modern poetry.

“I am large, I contain multitudes”A Penguin Classic When Walt Whitman self-published his Leaves of Grass in July 1855, he altered the course of literary history. One of the greatest masterpieces of American literature, it redefined the rules of poetry while describing the soul of the American character. Throughout his great career, Whitman continuously revised, expanded, and republished Leaves of Grass , but many critics believe that the book that matters most is the 1855 original. Penguin Classics proudly presents that text in its original and complete form, with an introductory essay by the writer and poet Malcolm Cowley.“I celebrate myself, and sing myself,And what I assume you shall assume,For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Wilfred Owen was twenty-two when he enlisted in the Artists' Rifle Corps during World War I. By the time Owen was killed at the age of 25 at the Battle of Sambre, he had written what are considered to be the most important British poems of WWI. This definitive edition is based on manuscripts of Owen's papers in the British Museum and other archives.

Brilliant, heartbreaking and highly original, Ocean Vuong's debut novel is a shattering portrait of a family, and a testament to the redemptive power of storytelling.This is a letter from a son to a mother who cannot read. Written when the speaker, Little Dog, is in his late twenties, the letter unearths a family's history that began before he was born. It tells of Vietnam, of the lasting impact of war, and of his family's struggle to forge a new future. And it serves as a doorway into parts of Little Dog's life his mother has never known - episodes of bewilderment, fear and passion - all the while moving closer to an unforgettable revelation.

This second issue of LONTAR presents speculative writing from and about Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.Inside these pages, you’ll find: a metamorphic love story near the Korean DMZ from award-winner E.C. Myers; a brand new supernatural crime tale from bestselling author John Burdett; a cautionary tale about Singaporean elitism from Tiffany Tsao; an examination of the illusory facets of love from Victor Fernando R. Ocampo; a haunting and beautiful evocation of a fantastical Vietnamese floating market from Eliza Chan; and speculative poetry from Jerrold Yam, Tse Hao Guang, Ang Si Min, Shelly Bryant and Daryl Yam.

Sassoon, who lived through World War One and who died in 1967, was, as the introduction to this book tells us, irritated in his later years at always being thought of as a "war poet". Understandable perhaps from the point of view of the poet: readers on the other hand might wish to demur. The poems gathered here and chronologically ordered, thereby tracing the course of the war, are an extraordinary testimony to the almost unimaginable experiences of a combatant in that bitter conflict. Moving from the patriotic optimism of the first few poems (" ... fighting for our freedom, we are free") to the anguish and anger of the later work (where "hope, with furtive eyes and grappling fists / Flounders in mud ... "), there comes a point when the reality of trench-warfare and its aftershocks move beyond comprehension: Sassoon knows this, and it becomes a powerful element in his art. As a book, the images have a cumulative relentlessness that make it almost impossible to read more than a few poems in one sitting. Unlike the avant-garde experiments developing in Europe in the first decades of this century, Sassoon's verse is formally conservative--but this was perhaps necessary, for as one reads the poems, one feels that the form, the classically inflected tropes, the metre and rhyme, apart from ironising the rhetoric of glory and battle were necessary techniques for containing the emotion (and indeed, a tone of barely controlled irony may have been the only means by which these angry observations would have been considered publishable at the time). When Sassoon's line begins to fragment, as it does in several of the later poems, it is under the extreme pressure to express the inexpressible. Compassion and sympathy are omnipresent here, in their full etymological sense of suffering with or alongside others--something the higher echelons of command (those " ... old men who died / Slow, natural deaths--old men with ugly souls") were never able or willing to contemplate. But Sassoon intuited the future of warfare, could sense that this was not "the war to end all wars": the mock-religious invocation of the final poem prefigures the vicious euphemisms of more recent conflicts: "Grant us the power to prove, by poison gases, / The needlessness of shedding human blood." Sassoon's bile-black irony signals a deep-felt pessimism: it was with good reason. --Burhan Tufail

Kate Tempest, winner of the Ted Hughes Prize for Brand New Ancients and widely regarded as the UK's leading spoken word poet, has produced a new poem-sequence of electrifying power. Based on the myth of the blind prophet Tiresias, Hold Your Own is a riveting tale of youth and experience, sex and love, wealth and poverty, community and alienation. Walking in the forest one morning, a young man disturbs two copulating snakes - and is punished by the goddess Hera, who turns him into a woman. This is only the beginning of his journey . . . Weaving elements of classical myth, autobiography and social commentary, Tempest uses the story of the gender-switching, clairvoyant Tiresias to create four sequences of poems: 'childhood', 'manhood', 'womanhood' and 'blind profit'. The result is a rhythmically hypnotic tour de force - and a hugely ambitious leap forward for one of the UK's most talented and compelling young writers.

This book of poetry by Paul Verlaine is a must-read for anyone who loves to be swept away by the emotional power of verse. Verlaine's writing is raw and evocative, capturing the essence of the human experience in beautifully crafted stanzas. A true gem for all lovers of poetry.

The Bricks That Built The Houses takes readers on a journey through the grit and glamour of London's underbelly, exploring the lives of young Londoners Becky, Harry, and Leon as they navigate love, money and morality. Kate Tempest's powerful introspection and evocative storytelling keep the reader engrossed throughout, as she weaves together intimate tales of ordinary people. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to experience a raw and immersive glimpse into the city's lesser-known corners.

Allen Ginsberg's Howl and Other Poems was originally published by City Lights Books in the Fall of 1956. Subsequently seized by U.S. customs and the San Francisco police, it was the subject of a long court trial at which a series of poets and professors persuaded the court that the book was not obscene.Howl & Other Poems is the single most influential poetic work of the post-World War II era, with over 1,000,000 copies now in print.

My Mother - Demonology could be a great read for individuals looking to explore the complexities of feminism and sexuality, and how they intersect with personal experiences. Acker's writing style is raw and unapologetic, diving deep into the inner workings of the human psyche. The book's unique structure, a blend of memoir and fiction, allows for a fully immersive and engaging reading experience. Overall, My Mother - Demonology is a must-read for those who enjoy thought-provoking literature that challenges societal norms.

"Diving into the Wreck" is a powerful collection of poems that explore the wreckage of societal constructs and personal experiences, while simultaneously uncovering the hidden treasures within them. Adrienne Rich's distinctive voice and thought-provoking use of language make this collection a must-read for anyone who seeks to explore the complexities of the human experience.

The Bricks That Built The Houses could be a great read for anyone looking for a unique and character-driven story about complicated relationships and moral dilemmas. Kate Tempest's novel combines poetry and prose to create a vivid and visceral portrait of a group of friends trying to navigate their way through life while staying true to themselves and each other. The book's strongest feature is its ability to capture the intricacies of human connection and the way our pasts shape our present and future. Overall, this is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and urban realism.

"The Book of Repulsive Women" celebrates women who defy societal norms through bold poetry and evocative art, making it a must-read for those interested in exploring unconventional female sexuality and rebellion.

Mouthful of Forevers can be a good read for someone who enjoys contemporary poetry that speaks directly to the sensibilities of young adults. Clementine's work is raw and honest, with a voice that many can relate to. Her poem, after which the book is named, has a huge following online and her fans engage very deeply with her work. She writes about love, loss, and the uncertainties and beauties of life. Her poetry is accessible and can be enjoyed by both poetry lovers and those who are new to the genre.

"Mouthful of Forevers" could be a good read for anyone who enjoys contemporary poetry that speaks to the depth of emotions felt by young people. Clementine's work has been incredibly popular on social media, and her poems speak poignantly about the themes of love and loss that are relevant to many of us. Her poetic voice is both ravishing and piercing, making this book a must-read for anyone who is searching for meaning and connection in their own life.

So Much Synth could be a good read for someone who enjoys poetic reflections on the complexities of growing up and revisiting memories of adolescence. The book is filled with clever subversions of clichés and idioms and is equal parts femininity, pain, pleasure, and synthesizer. Shaughnessy's voice is smart, sexy, and self-aware. She tenderly reflects on youthful excesses while still allowing readers to catch glimpses of their own. Overall, it's a beautifully crafted collection that's both brave and ferocious.

New Selected Poems is a perfect collection for anyone who wants to experience Carol Ann Duffy's versatile and accessible poetry. Being selected by Duffy herself, the poems in the collection are a testament to the depth and breadth of her work. The collection contains poems from her first six collections, including the critically acclaimed Standing Female Nude and Feminine Gospels. The book is a must-read for poetry enthusiasts, students, and anyone who loves beautiful words crafted into meaningful poems.