Anaward-winninggatheringofexquisitepoemsbyacelebratedpoet.WinnerofthePulitzerPrizeforPoetry(1992)WinneroftheWilliamCarlosWilliamsAward(1992)TheSelectedPoemsJamesTate’sPulitzerPrize-winningcollectionandhisfirstBritishpublication,gathersworkfromninepreviousbooks,fromtheLostPilotwhichwasaYaleYoungerPoetsselectionin1967,throughhis1986collectionReckoner.Heisamostagilepoetinaprecariousworld.Lifeisalarmingandabsurd,butproperlyconsideredthatabsurdityreveals,oftenwithlaughter,thesomethingelsebywhichwelive.Thepoemsareaboutourworld,ourwrecked,vexedloveforit.Tatehasbeendescribedasasurrealist.Ifthatiswhatheis,hissurrealismissuesinavisionofaworlddeliveredbacktoitselfbyhisunillusionedsubversionandcandor.
