Since the publication of his first book in 1967, Paul Durcan has made a satirical, celebratory and extraordinarily moving poetry out of his country's fortunes and misfortunes. His readings are legendary and each new collection, from his collaboration with Brain Lynch, Endsville (1967) to Daddy, Daddy (winner of the 1990 Whitbread Poetry Prize), Crazy about Women (1991) and Greetings to Our Friends in Brazil (1999) has borne out the truth of Ezra Pound's dictum that 'literature is news that stays news'. This book contains Durcan's own selection from his work. It is a literary milestone that has set the seal on his reputation as a poet of international standing.
The Works collects together over 120 of Pam Ayres's best-known and loved poems - as well as all of her newest compositions. The selection includes all Pam's personal favourites which she has divided into twelve sections covering subjects such as love, motherhood, families, gardening, ecology, travel and animals as well as many more unusual topics like climbing Ayers Rock in Australia, the rigours of keeping sheep and the finer points of the Old Gloucester Sausage. Pam's unique form of humorous verse takes a new look at the joys and tribulations of daily life. Her observations are touching, honest and above all inspired by a sense of the gentle absurdity of ordinary events. The Works is the best of the work which has made Pam Ayres a worldwide celebrity and bestselling poet. This edition of Pam Ayres - The Works has been updated to feature a new jacket and foreword by Pam Ayres.