The Poetic Achievements of Donald Davie and Charles Tomlinson: Expanding Vision, Voice and Rhythm in Late Twentieth-Century English Poetry

“There are several mimetic orthodoxies dislodged at once in [the discussions in this work] – the reputation of Davie the intransigent theorist and critic is not allowed to elbow out the perverse complexity of his own poetic voice; and Tomlinson’s easy objectivity and demythologising of Cartesianism is never allowed to suggest unmediated transparency, but is always treated as a set of rhetorical effects. At close quarters Stannard defines contiguity as ‘ambient meaning’, and it is his continual commitment to this idea that keeps the poem as a species of verbal doing, an intimate performance of open and inclusive meanings, in the forefront of this fascinating discussion.” – Prof. Vic Sage, University of East Anglia

“The author skillfully weds intricate close readings with biographical and cultural elements. Not only does this give the reader a sense of the significance of these two poets, it positions Davie and Tomlinson in a post-war context and his arguments remain sensitive to the continuities of poetry on both sides of the Atlantic. That Davie and Tomlinson maintained an enthusiasm for the dynamic of early twentieth century poetry, not least that of Ezra Pound, means that Stannard's writing is alert to the offerings of the modernist legacy. This is a vital contribution to our understanding of two major post-war English poets.” – Prof. Tim Clark, University of Durham
“ . . . a work of critical advocacy for an important strand in recent British poetry. [Stannard’s] sustained readings of Donald Davie and Charles Tomlinson show them building upon the self-improving strengths of their regional backgrounds to reach out beyond the limitations of an imploding post-imperial little Englander mentality to explore possibilities for a British poetry which is able to address and learn from new relationships with the international sphere, and poetries from the Europe, America, Russia and beyond.” – Prof. Peter Robinson, University of Reading