The Poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins

by John Reay Watson

Introduces Hopkins' life and religious faith and their role in his poetry, discusses his technique and language, and studies each of his poems

Genres: Poetry

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1999

About the author

Aka J.R. Watson

• born at Tinonee, N.S.W., 23rd May, 1872; of Scottish parentage
• unmarried
• short stories published in The Bulletin
• NOVELS: In a Man's Mind, London, 1896; An Earthly Fulfilment, London, 1899.
• An Earthly Fulfilment by 'J. R. Watson' highlighted by Wigg & Son 'Newest and Best Fiction of the Month' in The West Australian through August 1899
• described in 1900 by A. W. Jose, Angus & Robertson's Reader, as too 'sexual' for a 'respectable English paper'

Reviews

[David Sterritt]

I just finished The Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins in Robert Bridges’s edition, and was struck again by how artfully Hopkins balances playfulness and exuberance with the highest levels of aesthetic and spiritual seriousness. That said, I’m generally touched more by the music than the meaning of his verse, and his nonstop religiosity is both enviable and exhausting. He’s truly one of a kind.

[Stinger]

It was mostly over my head, but I certainly appreciated the jewels that I did notice.