The Clinic, Memory

New and Selected Poems

Elaine Feinstein author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Carcanet Press Ltd

Published:23rd Feb '17

Should be back in stock very soon

The Clinic, Memory cover

Poems range from elegies to the poet's father and close friends, to reflections on middle-age, the conflicts in a long marriage, and meditations on the lot of refugeesConfronts the encroachments of old age with a wry acceptance of human diminishingA legendary performer of her own work and work in translationElaine's themes often centre around Jewishness and her cultural heritageShe has her own website here http://www.elainefeinstein.com/She is Ted Hughes' biographerGetting older is universal - many readers can relateWomen will recognise many of the situations touched on in the book

A career-defining collection from the multiple prize-winning poet, translator and biographer which touches poignantly on universal matters - the inevitability of age, marriage, women's issues, family conflicts etc...Elaine Feinstein's poems are the harvest of a lifetime in literature. This selection, made by the author herself, gathers work from over half a century of published writing, and is completed by a section of new poems.The selection ranges from early poems of feminist rebellion and tender observation of children to elegies for the poet's father and close friends, reflections on middle-age, the conflicts in a long marriage, and meditations on the lot of refugees. In new poems Feinstein records her treatment for cancer, her feelings of dread in the clinic and unexpected moments of 'extravagant happiness'. The exploration of memory is at once a source of ironic amusement and an acknowledgement of human transience.

'Elaine Feinstein has made the juncture between poetry and memoir her own. As befits a poet who is also a master of fiction and biography, she writes with casual erudition and an acute storyteller's eye. Her forays into European culture and history are dazzling.' Fiona Sampson; 'For more than 40 years, Feinstein has been writing intensely lyrical, finely crafted poems.' Independent; 'Here we have a life, a person in the world opened up with intelligence and tact.' Martina Evans, The Irish Times

  • Commended for Poetry Book Society (PBS): Special Commendation - Spring 2017

ISBN: 9781784103200

Dimensions: 216mm x 135mm x 9mm

Weight: 227g

192 pages