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'Astley is wonderful at selecting poems with the kind of talismanic lines that really speak to people... Not only are the poems clustered by broad theme, with a lively introduction to each section by Astley, but within those groupings they speak to each other, in substance or across time…This collection certainly continues the excellent work of its predecessors, bringing new work and poets to audiences, and drawing new readers to poetry, and at a mere £12 for 500 poems, no one will be deterred from taking a risk. Being Human is stimulating, inspiring, intelligent, witty and life-affirming, the perfect companion on a journey, literal and otherwise.' --Peggy Hughes, Scotland on Sunday
'This is not one of those controversial "best of" anthologies but one that expands our definition of greatness to encompass a multiplicity of styles, voices and cultures. Astley aims to introduce poetry to new readers and new poets to seasoned readers. It is difficult to imagine all but the most hardened philistines not being touched and inspired by this wonderful assembly of poems.' --Bernardine Evaristo, The Times
'A book that makes the heart sing, which shows that the best of today's poetry…is a joy to behold, "charged", as Ezra Pound said, "with meaning to the utmost degree". Being Human, which runs to more than 500 pages, offers a glut of poetry from across the globe and, in so doing, renders redundant the "difficult" tag which so dogs the art. Above all it is a celebration of our capacity to embrace whatever's thrown at us… But subjects do not make poems, poets do. Astley's taste is catholic and inclusive and drawn to those who write with lyrical clarity and a keen eye… Being Human is not easy to summarise. It is a poetic Babel, a library in one volume.' --Alan Taylor, The Herald (Scotland)
'This is not one of those controversial "best of" anthologies but one that expands our definition of greatness to encompass a multiplicity of styles, voices and cultures. Astley aims to introduce poetry to new readers and new poets to seasoned readers. It is difficult to imagine all but the most hardened philistines not being touched and inspired by this wonderful assembly of poems.' --Bernardine Evaristo, The Times
'A book that makes the heart sing, which shows that the best of today's poetry…is a joy to behold, "charged", as Ezra Pound said, "with meaning to the utmost degree". Being Human, which runs to more than 500 pages, offers a glut of poetry from across the globe and, in so doing, renders redundant the "difficult" tag which so dogs the art. Above all it is a celebration of our capacity to embrace whatever's thrown at us… But subjects do not make poems, poets do. Astley's taste is catholic and inclusive and drawn to those who write with lyrical clarity and a keen eye… Being Human is not easy to summarise. It is a poetic Babel, a library in one volume.' --Alan Taylor, The Herald (Scotland)
Product Description
The companion anthology to "Staying Alive" and "Being Alive". "Being Human" is the third book in the "Staying Alive" poetry trilogy. "Staying Alive" and its sequel "Being Alive" have introduced many thousands of new readers to contemporary poetry. "Being Human" is a companion volume to those two books - a world poetry anthology offering an even broader, international selection of "real poems for unreal times". The range of poetry here complements that of the first two anthologies: hundreds of thoughtful and passionate poems about living in the modern world; poems that touch the heart, stir the mind and fire the spirit; poems about being human, about love and loss, fear and longing, hurt and wonder. There are more great poems from the 20th century as well as many recent poems of rare imaginative power from the first decade of the 21st century. But this book is also rare in reflecting the concerns of readers from all walks of life. Such has been the appeal of "Staying Alive" and "Being Alive" that many people have written not only to express their appreciation of these books, but also to share poems which have been important in their own lives. "Being Human" draws on this highly unusual publisher's mailbag, including many talismanic personal survival poems suggested by our readers.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was thrilled to read the first two anthologies in this series and didn't hesitate to buy this one. However, I find it the least accessible and least appealing of the 3 chiefly because there is a succession of quite lengthy poems of a somewhat depressing theme. Anna Swir is included though, about time too, but again they are not her best. If introducing or recommending this series, I would suggest a good starting point might be Being Alive followed by Staying Alive and hold back on Being Human until more reviews appear.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you care for up-to-date poetry this is probably the best anthology you can currently buy. Get it. Then consider buying its two predecessors, Staying Alive and Being Alive. I can't say they will change your life but they will enhance it enormously.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The earlier reiews of this stunning piece of work say almost everything that I wanted to say about this outstanding anthology, the third in the series with "Being Alive" and "Staying Alive". The earlier works created a wealth of new interest in (what we call) contemporary poetry and this work is sure to do the same; maybe bringing in fresh groups of readers as well. What amazes me most is the reach of Neil Astley - to have produced one anthology to the standard of "Being Alive" was remarkable - "Staying Alive" was equally as remarkable and what other superlative can we add for "Being Human". Neil Astley must be congratulated for introducing poets to us and bringing their outstanding poetry to our attention. If you are looking for Christmas presents for that "difficult to buy for" person, look no further.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Food for the soul
Another winner from Bloodaxe Books! This anthology is music for the spirit as one poem segues into another. Read more
Published 11 months ago by sue hewitt
Best of the three!!
Thgre have been three now of these anthologies of modern poetry selected and editied by Astley. All are excellent - but this latest one is perhaps the best of the three. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Jack Smith
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