Reviews of New British Poetry

“Paterson’s introductory essay, a tour-de-force defense of ‘mainstream’ poetry which deserves to be read by all poets….What these poets possess in spades is skill and daring, a way of engaging the world and poetic tradition that brings alive both the language and the history it embodies.” —Toronto Globe and Mail

“One hopes that, with the introduction of this keen, carefully selected group of poets and poems, American readers will become as familiar with British poetry as British readers are with American poetry. Mr. Paterson and Mr. Simic seem to have had a successful collaboration, for readers will find in their anthology writers—such as Alice Oswald, Glyn Maxwell, and Andrew Motion—of varied accomplishment but certain talent.” —American Poet

“[New British Poetry] seeks to bridge the miles between two cultures and bring poetry back to the populace. Editors Don Paterson and Charles Simic compiled work from 36 poets into a robust sampling of established and emerging voices from across the Atlantic. Despite the volume and diversity of verse, the collection is accessible and engaging.” —The Fargo Forum

“New British Poetry, with its forthright title, is nothing less than a single volume solution to the plight of North American and British poets and poetry readers who find themselves divided not only by a common language, but by culture and ocean. Simic and Paterson, working from opposite sides, have built a splendid poetic bridge across the Pond.” —Billy Collins

“Readers in the UK are far more conversant with contemporary North American poetry than we are with what’s being written on the other side of the Atlantic. The depth and richness of Simic and Paterson’s selection will go a long way toward redressing this imbalance, and offer readers pleasure, surprise, and an open window on the vitality of British poetry now.” —Mark Doty

“New British Poetry has given me the chance to encounter a number of poets new to me, also to re-appreciate some others. I should think most North American readers interested in contemporary British poetry would feel the same.” —William Pritchard