Irish Poetry - Literary Criticism, Irish Poetry, General & Miscellaneous Irish Fiction & Prose Literature - Literary Criticism

William Butler Yeats

Name: William Butler Yeats
Author: Denis Donoghue
ISBN: 9780880012089

by Denis Donoghue

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Overview

He was the finest modern poet in the English language--plus a playwright, theatre manager, politician, and passionate believer in supernatural. William Butler Yeats' writing captures all the magic and mystery of his native Ireland, and here are some 26 of his finest, most mesmerizing verses. In "The Stolen Child," fairies come in the night to entice a boy away forever to "where the wave of moonlight glosses the dim grey sands with light." Yeats claimed that a Greek folk song inspired "The Song of Wandering Aengus": the excerpt here follows Aengus on his quest to locate an enchanted girl. Visions of a fierce and terrible battle-where "unknown perishing armies beat about my ears"--emerge in "The Valley of the Black Pig," all seen in a dream. Matching the beauty of Yeats' written images are a series of exquisite and evocative paintings, which range from panoramic natural landscapes to compelling portraits of characters both human and fantastic. And, as always, this acclaimed series features fascinating biographical information, introductions to each verse, and full annotations that define difficult unfamiliar vocabulary.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

In this latest addition to a successful series, Poetry for Young People: William Butler Yeats, ed. by Jonathan Allison, illus. by Glenn Harrington, a well-researched biographical introduction precedes 26 of the poet's works, many of which reflect the mystery and beauty of Yeats's native Ireland. A dramatic painting of a rocky Sligo coast accompanies "The Meditation of the Old Fisherman," which, according to a note introducing the poem, recalls a conversation between a Sligo fisherman and the poet; his famous "The Second Coming" ("And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,/ Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born") inspires a chilling portrait of a monster/man crawling out of darkness, followed immediately by a gold-flecked landscape for "Sailing to Byzantium," against which a man holds closed his golden cape, like wings folded.

School Library Journal

Gr 6 Up-This introduction to the work of the poet reveals his love for the people and landscape of Ireland. Twenty-six poems and excerpts from longer works are included. Paintings, infused with atmosphere, illustrate the selections. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.