Difficulties of a Bridegroom

by Ted Hughes

A collection of short fiction by the Poet Laureate, taken from 40 years of occasional story-writing. The nine pieces, some of which appeared among the poems in "Wodwo", incorporate themes of violence, estrangement and arduous testing.

Genres: Short Stories, Poetry, Fiction

159 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Edward James Hughes was an English poet, translator, and children's writer. Critics frequently rank him as one of the best poets of his generation and one of the twentieth century's greatest writers. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1984 and held the office until his death. In 2008, The Times ranked Hughes fourth on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945".
He married fellow poet Sylvia Plath in 1956, and they lived together in the United States and then in England, in a tumultuous relationship. They had two children before separating in 1962 and Plath ended her own life in 1963.

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each short story is a masterpiece that will transport you, at times viscerally, to another place. Each one is crafted and polished to perfection, with fully realized characters, and at times, profoundly moving, and disturbing range.

Hughes, is of course, more known for his poetry than his short fiction. But it's almost more upsetting to think he didn't write more of these incredibly moving, and disturbing tales. "O'Kelly's Angel" about a man who quite literally captures an Angel and displays it to the masses for a nominal fee, sparking war, seems cruelly apt even decades later. But his genius and dedication to the craft shine in these stories. Some couched as folk lore ("The Deadfall" and "The Head"), some abstract horror ("Snow"). They are haunting, in a variety of flavors.

If you've missed this tales for whatever reason, pick them up. You won't be sorry.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Six out of nine stories were familiar to me as they are reprinted from Wodwo. The remaining three were the best ones!

I don't get on very well with symbolism in literature but it was Hughes' favourite thing, so these stories were mostly very hard to decipher and I don't think I really succeeded. The ones I liked most are the ones that were least reliant on such decoding.

Probably for Hughes fanatics only.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disturbing, dark and very inspiring. I've always been in awe of the author's poetic prowess and now I find the same holds true of his writing. Favortie stories: Snow...a man walking in a blizzard forever with a ordinary wooden kitchen chair strapped to his back, The Rain Horse...a man hunted by a black horse through a thunderstorm, The Head...two big game hunters in Australia and a curse on them for hunting during a sacred time of counting by the Lord of animals.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary as hell!!! Jesus H Christ. File under: “Stories to Make You Believe in the Devil”.

[Caolan McMahon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually find the poetry of Ted 'symbolism and similes' Hughes a bit rich for my taste. I hoped this short story format would be more direct, and it is, but I'd still need a pen and paper to unravel some of them. It reminds me of studying his poems in secondary school - an experience I'd rather forget.

[ela begüm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am I a Ted Hughes fan? Am I an...opp?

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

Guessing his prose is not as popular as his poetry, given that I picked up an immaculate withdrawn library hardcover for a dollar. This short story collection is a mixed bag for me. Those he wrote during the 50s which draw on his boyhood experiences in the Calder valley in Yorkshire are vivid and as striking as his poetry. Others a bit overwritten and flourish-y.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection started off brilliantly, but after the first two short stories I found my attention wandering. Was it me – or the writing? When the weather grows warm and lazy, it can be hard to tell.

[T P Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A real mixed bag - one or two very good pieces. However, there's plenty of long, tedious pieces. There's quite a lot of not particularly good magic realism and symbolism in these. Many feel like Hughes blowing off steam rather than trying to craft something.

[Kathy Piselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling stories, many ghost stories (lots of foxes too) from a poet laureate of England. Simple but rich language.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ted Hughes' foray into prose and short stories. It's a good book. I like the kind of stories he tells - they're very similar to the topics covered by his poetry. I just think Ted is a little more effective in verse.

[India · Rating 5 out of 5]

His finest collection. Accessible without giving up an ounce of quality.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall these stories were very good, The Wound was v. compelling. The Suitor was also very good. Some others were less memorable, but writing still v. good.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

haunted by the angel story!