Posted on 16 January 2012
Edward Thomas: The Origins of his Poetry
Revisiting the work of an Anglo-Welsh war poet, whose life and talent was snatched away by the Great War; the University of Wales Press will in February be publishing Dr Judy Kendall’s latest study, Edward Thomas: The Origins of his Poetry.
The book is a critical analysis of the much-loved early twentieth century poet Edward Thomas - the ‘poet’s poet’, who was killed in action during the Battle of Arras in 1917.
Kendall’s study includes illuminating new readings of his poems, prose and letters.
Topics covered include his close relation to nature, the land and landscape; connections between his approach to composition and the writing of Sigmund Freud, Virginia Woolf and William James; and the influence upon him of Japanese aesthetics.
An original study of Thomas, the book also presents surprising and far-reaching conclusions about poetic composition.
Today, Thomas is commemorated in Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey in London.
The inscription on his commemorative slate reads, “My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity.”
Thomas was described by former poet laureate Ted Hughes as “[...] the father of us all.”
Dr Judy Kendall is a Lecturer and Programme Leader for English and Creative Writing at the
University of Salford. She is also an award-winning writer of poetry, short fiction and visual text.
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Notes to Editors:
February 2012 Edward Thomas: The Origins of his Poetry by Judy Kendall, Price: £24.99 | PB| 9780708324035 | 216x138 mm | 272pp
For more information on the University of Wales Press visit or to place an order:
www.uwp.co.uk For press and media information, please contact Tom Barrett, Communications Officer, University of Wales:
t.barrett@wales.ac.uk 02920 376991