Some Versions of Empson - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0199286361 ISBN 13: 9780199286362

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2007

Synopsis

William Empson was one of the most important poet-critics of the twentieth century, and continues to influence and inspire writers from many divergent critical traditions. Following on recent scholarly developments, this timely collection of essays provides a fully-rounded examination of Empson's life, work, inheritance, and influence.

This is the first volume of critical essays on Empson to be published in over a decade, and the first to consider the full range of his work, studying his poetry alongside his criticism in order to reassess the scale of his achievement. It also includes the first publication of a substantial interview with Empson in 1970, in which he looks back over his career and discusses the composition and reception of his work. The collection examines Empson's oeuvre from a variety of angles - aesthetic, philosophical, psychological, linguistic, scientific, socio-political, religious, and sexual - and features essays from an outstanding line-up of emerging and established scholars.

Some Versions of Empson demonstrates the poet-critic's continuing importance for literary and cultural criticism, and sets the agenda for studies of his work in the twenty-first century.

About this title

Review

One of the volume's pleasing surprises is the presence of fresh readings of the poems ... This collection is a fine tribute to Empson (Jonathan Baines, Notes and Queries)

A rare pleasure...Both in its individual parts, and taken as a whole, this collection represents an admirable piece of work, comprising contributions of a consistently high standard...A fine collection (Marcus Waithe, Modern Language Review)

The essays include work by established scholars who have written about Empson extensively, and new writers on Empson, including the editor, whose introduction is full of interesting comments...There are here interesting ideas, good writing, and a fruitful range and interaction of viewpoints. (David Fuller, Review of English Studies)

this collection represents an admirable piece of work, comprising contributions of a consistently high standard (MLR)

Edition details

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0199286361
• ISBN 13: 9780199286362
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 356
• Editor: Bevis Matthew