Tenth Muse

An Anthology

Astbury Anthony

There are nine muses in Greek mythology: this anthology celebrates the tenth, the figure in a poet's life who inspires, criticises, interprets and supports. First published as pamphlets by Anthony Astbury's legendary Greville Press, each selection here has been made by a wife, husband, son or daughter of the poet. Each selector brings to the role a unique insight into the work of a poet whose life they have shared; each selection honours relationship in a different way. The Tenth Muse ranges in time from Myfanwy Thomas choosing poems by her father Edward, to Lady Antonia Fraser selecting those of Harold Pinter. There is coherence in the abundance this book provides, and the text is enriched with double portraits and memoirs. The Tenth Muse is an illuminating series of intimate dialogues between poets and those closest to their hearts.

"The Tenth Muse" includes:
George Barker selected by Elspeth Barker
Thomas Blackburn selected by Julia Blackburn
Lawrence Durrell selected by Francoise Kestman-Durrell
David Gascoyne selected by Judy Gascoyne
W.S. Graham selected by Nessie Dunsmuir
Robert Graves selected by Beryl Graves
Harold Pinter selected by Antonia Fraser
Ann Ridler selected by Vivian Ridler
C.H. Sisson selected by Nora Sisson
Elizabeth Smart selected by Sebastian Barker
Dylan Thomas selected by Aeronwy Thomas
Edward Thomas selected by Myfanwy Thomas
David Wright selected by Oonagh Swift

About the Author

Anthony Astbury is the director of the Greville Press, which he founded in 1975. He has published four collections of his own verse, edited selections and anthologies, including "The Tenth Muse" (Carcanet 2005), and written memoirs of his friends George Barker, W. S. Graham, John Heath-Stubbs, Harold Pinter and David Wright.

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