Poems Written Abroad: The Lilly Library Manuscript (Special Publications of the Lilly Library) - Hardcover

Spender, Stephen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0253041678 ISBN 13: 9780253041678

Publisher: Indiana University Press, 2019

Synopsis

Poems Written Abroad is the first publication of the earliest collection of poetry by the famous poet, novelist, literary critic, translator, and radical, Sir Stephen Spender (1909-1995). Spender wrote and compiled this manuscript in 1927, when he was living in Nantes and Lausanne. In tone and diction, Spender’s poems range from creatively traditional to unexpectedly innovative. They reflect his reading in Shakespeare and French poetry, as well as his absorption in music and modern art. They also document his struggles with his sexual identity and his emerging desire to devote his life, at whatever cost, to the writing of poetry.

This beautiful facsimile edition, authorized by the Spender estate, faithfully reproduces the features of the original manuscript now held by the Lilly Library, including the frontispiece, an ink drawing by Spender himself, and little-known photographs of the poet. The editor’s extensive introduction and detailed explanatory notes situate Spender’s juvenilia in the context of his life and work and the history of modern poetry. The volume will appeal to readers with interests in modern poetry, gender studies, and fine books.

About this title

From the Author:

Christoph Irmscher is Provost Professor of English and Director of the Wells Scholars Program at Indiana University. His many books include Louis Agassiz: Creator of American Science and Max Eastman: A Life.

About this edition

• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 0253041678
• ISBN 13: 9780253041678
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 160
• Editor: Irmscher Christoph