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Book of Matches [Paperback]

Simon Armitage (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
RRP: £9.99
Price: £6.89 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Book Description

Publication Date: 3 Sep 2001

'A firework display of technique, versatility and passion.' Independent on Sunday

'The crafted sincerity of this potent, lyrical collection, in which an absolutely contemporary voice concisely expresses common concerns, is everything that poetry should be.' Times Literary Supplement

'The first poet of serious artistic intent since Philip Larkin to have achieved popularity . . . it is possible that he will attain the sort of proverbial status Larkin now occupies.' Sean O'Brien, The Deregulated Muse

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Frequently Bought Together

Book of Matches + Selected Poems of Simon Armitage + Seeing Stars
Price For All Three: £21.47

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Product details

  • Paperback: 80 pages
  • Publisher: Faber and Faber (3 Sep 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0571169821
  • ISBN-13: 978-0571169825
  • Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 12.6 x 19.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 51,784 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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More About the Author

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Simon Armitage
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Product Description

About the Author

Simon Armitage was born in West Yorkshire and is Professor of Poetry at the University of Sheffield. A recipient of numerous prizes and awards, he has published ten collections of poetry, including Selected Poems (2001), Seeing Stars (2010) and his acclaimed translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (2007). A broadcaster and presenter, he also writes extensively for television and radio, is the author of two novels, the bestselling memoir All Points North (1998) and Walking Home (2012), his poetic journey along the Pennine Way. In 2010 he received the CBE for services to poetry.

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Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Elvis of Poetry.... 28 July 2008
By Neil
Format:Paperback
I think this is one of the best poetry collections of the last 30 yrs.

The opening salvo of 'My party piece' is a spine-chiller and through to the last piece in that section describing a burnt-out Armitage in self-destruct mode sitting in his car- this is a modern classic which taps the Zeitgeist in a way only he can.

And I have to agree with the other reviewer about To a lost lover - your toes curl at the combination of intimacy, sensitivity and agonising regret.

Someone once said that 'poetry is the new rock n'roll' - if Elvis were alive today he would be writing poetry like this...

Thank you Simon.

Neil
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars breathtaking 14 May 2002
By S. Murphy
Format:Paperback
'To his lost Lover' brought myself and my lover together. I have never been more inspired, made jelly-legged and envious of a poet. These poems seem straight forward but they are subtly layered, like slate which whilst seeming thin is actually made up of a myriad carefully arranged skins. Brilliant!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars incredible. 12 Jun 2010
By J. Ludman
Format:Paperback
As a student, I have been to a poetry day where Simon Armitage himself came to discuss his poetry with us. The most fascinating thing that he revealed to us about this book, was the idea behind the title - as a young person himself, he would often play a party game with him friends to meet new people which consisted of striking a match and holding it until it burnt to your fingers. In this time, the person holding the match would have to tell their life story in the seconds it took the flame to reach their hand, until they had to blow it out. This also explains the asterisk marking the start of his poems - it is meant to represent the newly struck flame. This book is genius, so well thought out unlike many of today's contemporary poets' books, I would heavily recommend it.
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