Contemporary Irish Women Poets: Some Male Perspectives

(Hardback)

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Women poets have made substantial contributions to Irish literature, particularly in the last few decades. However, so many male critics have attacked Ireland's women poets, whether through hostile reviews, outright silence or condescending praise, that the impression has been created that very few men appreciate these women's poetry. With some notable exceptions, most academic appraisals by men have been less than enthusiastic. Many women also point to the treatment these poets receive in various anthologies, which typically include only token portions of literature written by women. In this book, Gonzalez has responded to these slights by offering a forum to a significant number of men to express their highest praise for Ireland's women poets. In this book, Gonzalez includes two essays on each of Ireland's best-known women poets, Eavan Boland, Eilean Ni Chuilleanain, Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill and Medbh McGuckian. Three other essays are the first formal scholarly pieces entirely dedicated to Paula Meehan, Rita Ann Higgins or Mary O'Malley. In his effort, Gonzalez helps establish the place of these contemporary women poets in the Irish literary canon, correct the misconception that male critics are unresponsive to their works, and encourages further exploration of Irish women poets by male scholars and critics.

Reviews

Contemporary Irish Women Poets will be a welcome addition to the fray....Contemporary Irish Women Poets: Some Male Perspectives is a worthy contribution to a critical discussion deserving more book-length studies....Alexander Gonzalez's thought-provoking collection of essays is valuable not only because it offers fresh critical perspectives, but also because it will undoubtedly draw more readers to some of the most original and exciting poets of our time.-Women's Studies
This book makes an enormous contribution to the understanding of gener-neutral literature.-Council on National Literatures
"This book makes an enormous contribution to the understanding of gener-neutral literature."-Council on National Literatures
"Contemporary Irish Women Poets will be a welcome addition to the fray....Contemporary Irish Women Poets: Some Male Perspectives is a worthy contribution to a critical discussion deserving more book-length studies....Alexander Gonzalez's thought-provoking collection of essays is valuable not only because it offers fresh critical perspectives, but also because it will undoubtedly draw more readers to some of the most original and exciting poets of our time."-Women's Studies

Author Bio

ALEXANDER G. GONZALEZ is Professor of English at Cortland College of the State University of New York, where he specializes in Irish literature. He has previously taught at the University of California at Santa Barbara, at Ohio State University, and at Pennsylvania State University, where he was Distinguished Scholar in Residence. His previous books include Modern Irish Writers: A Bio-Critical Sourcebook (1997) and Assessing the Achievement of J. M. Synge (1996), both available from Greenwood Press.