The Voluble Soul

"Thomas Traherne is an inspiring writer for our times and this is an excellent introduction to the main themes of his poems. More than this, Richard Willmott sets Traherne firmly in the context of his own age and considers not just those writers who might have influenced him directly but those who shaped the intellectual, scientific and spiritual context in which he wrote." Professor Richard Harries FRSL "It is wonderful to see an introduction to Traherne that demonstrates literacy in both poetry and theology. Alongside key Trahernian themes such as felicity, innocence and atomism, there is a surefooted discussion of Traherne's wider intellectual context, from the Psalms to Augustine to the metaphysical poets. Willmott draws on an extensive knowledge and long love of Traherne to construct a scholarly but accessible study that foregrounds the voice of Traherne himself, an act of intellectual humility and generosity worthy of commendation." Elizabeth S. Dodd, Sarum College "Richard Willmott is a worthy guide through the full breadth of Traherne's poetry, helping us to understand his artful and original articulation of his vision of the world and of God. Willmott is able to do what Traherne scholars and enthusiasts in the 20th century could not do, because of the wealth of more recently discovered manuscripts now available. Furthermore, he masterfully situates Traherne's poetry within the context of his geographical landscape, historical period, philosophy, theology, and language." David Buresh, editor of Waking Up in Heaven: A Contemporary Edition of Centuries of Meditations