Description
Delve into the enchanting world of Lyonesse, a mesmerizing trade paperback that intertwines myth and reality. Authored by Penelope Shuttle, this literary gem explores the submerged land of Lyonesse, historically part of Cornwall, embodying the tales of a lost paradise, while poignantly reflecting on modern human struggles against climate change. This 2021 publication by Bloodaxe invites readers to experience the rich tapestry of Arthurian legend, where the weight of grief and loss resonates profoundly. Shuttle, inspired by the ethereal beauty of the Scilly Isles and her visit to the British Museum's Sunken Cities exhibition, crafts poetry that seeks to reconnect us with the depths of our shared human experience.
The captivating narratives within this book illustrate the interlacing of personal and mythic loss, inviting readers to embark on a journey of emotional discovery. 'Lyonesse' serves not just as an exploration of historical inundation but as an evocative reminder of resilience and rebirth. The second part of this collection, titled 'New Lamps for Old', brings forth poems that emerge from the depths, urging us to find meaning anew.
This brand new edition is enriched with the ISBN 9781780375540 and promises an immersive experience for poetry lovers and those enchanted by the lore of Cornwall. Shipping is free, with delivery taking up to 6 weeks. Please note that once your order is placed, it cannot be canceled.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781780375540
Format: Trade paperback (US)
Year: 2021
Publisher: Bloodaxe
Description:
The submerged land of Lyonesse was once part of Cornwall, according to myth and the oral tradition, standing for a lost paradise in Arthurian legend, but now an emblem of human frailty in the face of climate change. And there was indeed a Bronze Age inundation event which swept the entire west of Cornwall under the sea, with only the Scilly Isles and St Michael’s Mount left as remnants above sea-level. Lyonesse was also Thomas Hardy’s name for Cornwall where Penelope Shuttle has lived all her adult life, always fascinated by the stories and symbolic presence of Lyonesse.
After seeing the Scilly Isles from a small plane at a low altitude – flying over the Wolf Lighthouse – and then visiting the recent Sunken Cities exhibition at the British Museum, imagination and memory played their part in joining the Lyonesse dots together for her, prompting what she calls â€a spontaneous inundation of approaches to the theme, images, soundings of Lyonesse’. As she writes in a preface to this book: â€The universality of loss, both of physical cities and of the human experience erased from the record, enhanced the resource of Lyonesse in my writing. Lyonesse is a place of paradox. It is real, had historical existence. It is also an imaginary region for exploring depths. It holds grief for many kinds of loss… The poems seek re-wilding of a city where human loss interconnects with mythic loss; myth is rooted in the real.’
The second part of this book – New Lamps for Old – is a collection of poems she needed to write in coming up for air from the watery depths of Lyonesse, to find ways to begin again, to find meaning in life
The captivating narratives within this book illustrate the interlacing of personal and mythic loss, inviting readers to embark on a journey of emotional discovery. 'Lyonesse' serves not just as an exploration of historical inundation but as an evocative reminder of resilience and rebirth. The second part of this collection, titled 'New Lamps for Old', brings forth poems that emerge from the depths, urging us to find meaning anew.
This brand new edition is enriched with the ISBN 9781780375540 and promises an immersive experience for poetry lovers and those enchanted by the lore of Cornwall. Shipping is free, with delivery taking up to 6 weeks. Please note that once your order is placed, it cannot be canceled.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781780375540
Format: Trade paperback (US)
Year: 2021
Publisher: Bloodaxe
Description:
The submerged land of Lyonesse was once part of Cornwall, according to myth and the oral tradition, standing for a lost paradise in Arthurian legend, but now an emblem of human frailty in the face of climate change. And there was indeed a Bronze Age inundation event which swept the entire west of Cornwall under the sea, with only the Scilly Isles and St Michael’s Mount left as remnants above sea-level. Lyonesse was also Thomas Hardy’s name for Cornwall where Penelope Shuttle has lived all her adult life, always fascinated by the stories and symbolic presence of Lyonesse.
After seeing the Scilly Isles from a small plane at a low altitude – flying over the Wolf Lighthouse – and then visiting the recent Sunken Cities exhibition at the British Museum, imagination and memory played their part in joining the Lyonesse dots together for her, prompting what she calls â€a spontaneous inundation of approaches to the theme, images, soundings of Lyonesse’. As she writes in a preface to this book: â€The universality of loss, both of physical cities and of the human experience erased from the record, enhanced the resource of Lyonesse in my writing. Lyonesse is a place of paradox. It is real, had historical existence. It is also an imaginary region for exploring depths. It holds grief for many kinds of loss… The poems seek re-wilding of a city where human loss interconnects with mythic loss; myth is rooted in the real.’
The second part of this book – New Lamps for Old – is a collection of poems she needed to write in coming up for air from the watery depths of Lyonesse, to find ways to begin again, to find meaning in life