Ted Hughes
The Unauthorised Life
Format:Paperback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers
Published:7th Apr '16
Should be back in stock very soon
This biography provides an in-depth look at the life and work of Ted Hughes, exploring his poetic genius and personal struggles.
In Ted Hughes, renowned scholar Sir Jonathan Bate delves into the life of one of the most significant poets of the twentieth century. Hughes, known for his powerful and often haunting poetry, navigated the complexities of existence through his writing. This biography captures the essence of Hughes as a poet of both ferocity and tenderness, revealing how his experiences shaped his artistic vision. Bate's meticulous research, drawn from an extensive archive of Hughes's notes and journals, unveils new insights into the poet's creative process and personal struggles.
At the heart of Ted Hughes lies the tragic narrative of Hughes's relationship with his first wife, Sylvia Plath. This pivotal moment in his life not only influenced his poetry but also marked a profound shift in his personal journey. Bate examines Hughes's attempts to reconcile with this loss, showcasing the depth of emotion that permeates his work. Through vivid storytelling, the biography presents a multifaceted portrait of Hughes, one that honors his literary contributions while addressing the controversies that surrounded his life.
Bate's exploration goes beyond the surface, offering readers a glimpse into the man behind the poetry. With a keen understanding of both Hughes's literary legacy and his tumultuous life, Ted Hughes serves as a comprehensive account of a poet whose work continues to resonate. Through this biography, readers are invited to engage with the complexities of Hughes's character and the enduring impact of his art.
‘Remarkable … one of the very best biographies in years’ Joyce Carol Oates
‘I found it as spirited and sympathetic as it is scorching’ Bel Mooney, Books of the Year, Daily Mail
‘A work of head-spinning revelations … Bate offers a complete picture of Hughes: the man, the work and the restless mythologies that prowled his imagination … A moving, fascinating biography’ The Times
‘Comprehensive and definitive … Bate's relaxed prose keeps everything moving anecdotally … underpinning it all is a vast command of archival material … He is also a sure guide to the genesis and reception of each of Hughes's major books’ Daily Telegraph
‘Bate captures the great poet in all his wild complexity … A powerful and clarifying study, richly layered and compelling’ Melyn Bragg, Observer
‘[An] important … ultimately triumphant biography … Bate is obviously suited as a biographer and critic. His standing in his academic profession is eminent’ Financial Times
‘Magisterial … Bate writes with sympathy and perception about Hughes and his poetry. This fine book tells readers as much as they need to know for now’ Economist
‘Bate has read this huge mass of material with a scholar’s ability to date and arrange it … This scrupulous and lucid biography makes it all seem like muddle and self-deception, tormenting to himself and the many who loved him’ Guardian
‘Fascinating’ John Preston, Spectator, Books of the Year
‘Elegantly retells the myth and, occasionally, violence of the story and gives it new flesh’, Philip Hoare, Spectator, Books of the Year
‘The most controversial biography of the year’, Gaby Wood, Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year
‘Epic in both scale and voice’ Independent, Books of the Year
‘Manages to illuminate the poet’s lowering literary presence’ Financial Times, Books of the Year
‘A great present idea for the literary fan in your life. Bate’s fascinating biography is a painstaking exploration of Hughes’ Mail on Sunday
- Short-listed for Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction 2015
ISBN: 9780008118211
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 44mm
Weight: 490g
672 pages