THE SONG OF DEEDS

A Study of The Anathemata of David Jones

Neil Corcoran

pp xii120 1982 hardback ISBN 0-7083-0806-6

David Jones's long poem, The Anathemata, first published in 1952, has always been admired, particularly by other poets. Eliot thought it the 'remarkable' work of a writer 'of major importance', and Auden described it as 'the greatest long poem written in English in this century'.
Neil Corcoran's study is concerned with the critical task of suggesting the nature, scope and significance of David Jones's achievement. It explores the affinities between Jones's work and that of other modernists, particularly Eliot and Joyce; and it attempts to trace Jones's importance in the history and development of modern British poetry.

' . . . excellent . . . an indispensable guide to students for many years to come.' (Poetry Wales)

' . . . this is certainly the best work of literary criticism on David Jones.' (Religion and Literature)

' . . . indispensable to anyone concerned with what is at the heart of David Jones's most important work.' (British Book News)