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The Complete Poems of C.P. Cavafy

A fresh translation of Cavafy's complete poetic works

Daniel Mendelsohn editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers

Published:27th Feb '14

Should be back in stock very soon

The Complete Poems of C.P. Cavafy cover

This edition of The Complete Poems of C.P. Cavafy offers a fresh translation that highlights the timeless relevance of his work through both finished and unfinished poems.

This collection presents the complete works of C.P. Cavafy, including his unfinished poems, in a remarkable new translation. The edition showcases the depth and breadth of Cavafy's poetic genius, capturing the essence of his work while making it accessible to modern readers. With Daniel Mendelsohn at the helm of this translation, readers can expect a fresh perspective that resonates with both the historical significance and contemporary relevance of Cavafy's themes.

Cavafy's poetry spans a rich tapestry of time, from the heroic tales of antiquity to the complexities of the modern experience. His ability to intertwine personal reflections with broader historical contexts allows readers to connect deeply with his verses. Iconic works such as Waiting for the Barbarians and Ithaca highlight his unique approach to poetry, emphasizing the timeless nature of his insights. This edition not only revitalizes these classic pieces but also introduces previously unfinished works, expanding the reader's understanding of Cavafy's creative journey.

Daniel Mendelsohn, a respected classicist and essayist, brings his expertise to this translation, ensuring that the nuances of Cavafy's language and style are preserved. The Complete Poems of C.P. Cavafy emerges as a definitive edition, poised to captivate both long-time admirers of Cavafy and new readers alike. The combination of Mendelsohn's skill and Cavafy's profound themes makes this collection a must-have for poetry enthusiasts.

’The poetry of Cavafy has been my spiritual food for many years now … Cavafy is a poet who never leaves you. He gets under your skin’ Louis de Bernieres

‘Magisterial … A brilliant scholar, a discerning critic and a generous person, Mendelsohn brings Cavafy alive’ Times

‘This beautifully produced book is as complete an edition as one can expect. Mendelsohn’s scholarship is formidable. No previous editor or translator has been so thorough’ Guardian

‘No-one seeking the fullest possible picture of the poet need go further than Daniel Mendelsohn's exhaustive edition of his work … Mendelsohn’s scholarship and sensitivity manage to persuade us that the poet’s love of history can combine with this more immediate nostalgia, so that in the best poems it’s impossible to separate the cerebral from the sensual’ Daily Telegraph

‘Daniel Mendelsohn has translated all of Cavafy’s poems, including the thirty ‘unfinished’ poems never before rendered in English. The results are extraordinary, and a whole galaxy orbits them’ New Yorker

‘This not only brings us closer to one of the great poets of the 20th century; it also reinvigorates our relationship to the English language … It is an event on the page. Mendelsohn’s Cavafy is itself a work of art’ New York Times Book Review

ISBN: 9780007523375

Dimensions: 234mm x 153mm x 54mm

Weight: 960g

752 pages