The Penguin Book of Elegy: Poems of Memory, Mourning and Consolation
Memory Mourning: The Penguin Book of Elegy brings together poems about loss, remembrance and consolation, tracing the tradition from Classical roots to modern writing. Edited by Andrew Motion and Stephen Regan, this 688-page anthology is suited to readers seeking a historical range of elegiac poetry rather than a single poet’s work.
At a glance
- Edited by Andrew Motion and Stephen Regan, with poems ranging from Classical sources to modern writing.
- Includes work by Theocritus, Virgil and Ovid alongside twentieth- and twenty-first-century poets including Dylan Thomas, Elizabeth Bishop, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Denise Riley.
- Centres on memory, mourning and the search for consolation across personal and collective grief.
Pros and cons
Pros
- The historical scope gives readers a way to explore how elegiac poetry has developed across many periods.
- Its mix of canonical Classical writers and modern voices offers variety within one anthology.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Penguin Classics |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 7 Nov. 2024 |
| Edition | 1st |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 688 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0241269628 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0241269626 |
| Weight listed | 470 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.9 x 2.9 x 19.7 cm |
What to know before buying
Listing details to confirm
The listing describes it as the only comprehensive anthology of its kind in English, a publisher claim rather than an independently established comparison.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers exploring poetry about grief, remembrance and consolation.
- Students or enthusiasts interested in the history of elegiac poetry across periods.
- Readers looking for a broad poetry anthology rather than a collection by one poet.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a single-author collection or poetry focused on themes other than loss and remembrance.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
82% 82% - 4 stars
6% 6% - 3 stars
0% 0% - 2 stars
6% 6% - 1 star
6% 6%
The aggregate ratings lean strongly towards five-star responses, though a small share are one- or two-star and the listing provides no written feedback to explain either view. Treat this as a broad indication of reader reception, not evidence about which poets, editorial choices or aspects of the book readers liked or disliked.
Frequently asked questions
What periods does the anthology cover?
The listing says it traces elegiac poetry from its Classical roots through the Renaissance and into modern compositions.
Which poets are named in the listing?
It names Theocritus, Virgil, Ovid, Dylan Thomas, Elizabeth Bishop, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Denise Riley.
How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 688 pages.
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