The Edinburgh Companion to Contemporary Scottish Poetry (Edinburgh Companions to Scottish Literature)

The last three decades have seen unprecedented flourishing of creativity across the Scottish literary landscape, so that contemporary Scottish poetry constitutes an internationally renowned, award-winning body of work. At the heart of this has been the work of poets. As this poetry makes space for its own innovative concerns, it renegotiates the poetic inheritance of preceding generations. At the same time, Scottish poetry continues to be animated by writing from other places. __The Edinburgh Companion to Contemporary Scottish Poetry__ is the definitive guide to this flourishing poetic scene. Its chapters examine Scottish poetry in all three of the nation's languages. It analyses many thematic preoccupations: tradition and innovation; revolutions in gender; the importance of place; the aesthetic politics of devolution. These chapters are complemented by extended close readings of the work of key poets that have defined this era, including Edwin Morgan, Kathleen Jamie, Don Paterson, Aonghas MacNeacail and John Burnside. Key Features * A thorough guide to contemporary Scottish poetry and poets, making the book an ideal course text * Reflects the ways in which the work of Scottish poets reflects a radical cultural independence following Devolution * Provides authoritative essays by the leading experts in the field * Includes a valuable synoptic bibliography The last three decades have seen unprecedented flourishing of creativity across the Scottish literary landscape, so that contemporary Scottish poetry constitutes an internationally renowned, award-winning body of work. At the heart of this has been the work of poets. As this poetry makes space for its own innovative concerns, it renegotiates the poetic inheritance of preceding generations. At the same time, Scottish poetry continues to be animated by writing from other places.

The Edinburgh Companion to Contemporary Scottish Poetry is the definitive guide to this flourishing poetic scene. Its chapters examine Scottish poetry in all three of the nation's languages. It analyses many thematic preoccupations: tradition and innovation; revolutions in gender; the importance of place; the aesthetic politics of devolution. These chapters are complemented by extended close readings of the work of key poets that have defined this era, including Edwin Morgan, Kathleen Jamie, Don Paterson, Aonghas MacNeacail and John Burnside.

Key Features

* A thorough guide to contemporary Scottish poetry and poets, making the book an ideal course text
* Reflects the ways in which the work of Scottish poets reflects a radical cultural independence following Devolution
* Provides authoritative essays by the leading experts in the field
* Includes a valuable synoptic bibliography


This is the first book to take political devolution as an organising context for the presentation and discussion of main currents in contemporary Scottish poetry. The book combines thematic chapters with in-depth analysis of key poets writing in English, in Gaelic and in Scots, to address the central issues raised in work that is responding to changes in the socio-economic and political environment over recent decades: the influence of tradition (both national and international); the question of language; the rise of women's writing; the relationship between poetry and politics; and the importance of place to the Scottish imagination. The chapters demonstrate a broad range of interests, while also offering detailed analysis of the many ways writers broach their subject matter; including close readings of poetry by Edwin Morgan, Kenneth White, Aonghas MacNeacail, Kathleen Jamie, John Burnside, Robin Robertson, Mick Imlah and Don Paterson, among others. Chapters by practicing poets and by academics deliver senses of the current range and quality of poetry in Scotland.Key Features•A thorough guide to contemporary Scottish poetry and poets, making the book an ideal course text •Reflects the ways in which the work of Scottish poets reflects a radical cultural independence following Devolution•Provides authoritative essays by the leading experts in the field•Includes a valuable synoptic bibliography This Is The First Book To Take Political Devolution As An Organising Context For The Presentation And Discussion Of Main Currents In Contemporary Scottish Poetry. Introduction Feeling Independent, Matt Mcguire And Colin Nicholson; 1. The Poetics Of Devolution, Alan Riach; 2. Scottish Women's Poetry Since The 1970s, Fiona Wilson; 3. Contemporary Poetry In Scots, Tom Hubbard; 4. Contemporary Gaelic Poetry, Niall O'gallagher; 5. A Democracy Of Voices , Kirsten Matthews; 6. Recent Scottish Poetry, Colin Nicholson; 7. Edwin Morgan, Matt Mcguire And Colin Nicholson; 8. Kenneth White And John Burnside, Marco Fazzini; 9. Aonghas Macneacail, Peter Mckay; 10. Kathleen Jamie, Matt Mcguire; 11. Kenneth White, Cairns Craig; 12. Don Paterson, Alan Gillis; Further Reading; Notes On Contributors; Index. Edited By Matt Mcguire And Colin Nicholson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.