Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925ndash;2006) was one of Scotlands leading twentieth-century public intellectuals; and famously one of its most brilliant and combative correspondents. His letters raise issues of particular and widespread interest both within Scotland and further afield. His correspondence with Stephen Bann; the English poet and academic; have a very special place in this context. These letters present in a clear and commensurable form the development of his ideas about poetry and art; and increasingly about sculpture and gardening; over this critical five-year period of his creative life.The letters begin when Bann was still a student at Cambridge; and Finlay was living in considerable hardship in Edinburgh; though he already had a significant international reputation as a poet. They reveal in fascinating and intimate detail the poets developing creative process; and also record his often turbulent relationship to the worlds of literature; art; and critical journalism. When he settles in Lanarkshire; he begins to develop the ideas that will result in the creation of the world-famous sculpture garden known as Little Sparta.This book; edited; introduced; and annotated by Bann himself; is a unique and compelling self-portrait of the man who is now recognized not only as a great poet; but also as a major artist and one of the most original garden designers of modern times.Stephen Bann is a poet; historian; and cultural critic. He is an emeritus professor of the history of art at Bristol University; and the author of numerous books and articles.
#2547072 in eBooks 2017-04-18 2017-04-18File Name: B00GIDN9WE
Review
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Brilliant.By roy ben shaiBrilliant; original; and engaging book. For all who love Benjamin; Manhattan; philosophy; or just a flow of good ideas.