Love

by Carol Ann Duffy
Love cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Poetry
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Hardback • £10.99
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  • ID: 2274
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9781529096989
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2023-02-02
  • Formats: 21
  • Reviews: 3

In Love, Carol Ann Duffy curates a collection of her most beloved poems on the theme of love, drawn from her extensive archives and arranged in chronological order. This collection spans four decades of her work, offering a rich and varied exploration of love in all its forms. The book also includes one new poem, adding a fresh perspective to Duffy's timeless exploration of love. Duffy's poetry is known for its sensuality and emotional depth, making this collection a must-read for fans of her work and poetry lovers alike. The sequence of poems is designed to be stimulating and irresistible, showcasing Duffy's mastery of language and her ability to capture the complexities of human relationships.

Reviews
Waterstones · 2023-02-02
captivating 4.50

The collection is described as sensual, stimulating, and irresistible, capturing the various facets of love with eloquence and skill. It is praised for its heartfelt and direct approach to the theme.

The reviewer finds Duffy's collection to be a captivating exploration of love, encompassing longing, lust, and loss. They appreciate the sensual and stimulating nature of the poems, which are described as irresistible. The reviewer also notes the eloquence and skill with which Duffy addresses the theme, making the collection both heartfelt and direct. This approach is seen as a testament to Duffy's ability to capture the essence of love in all its complexity. The collection is part of a new set of volumes selected by Duffy herself, indicating her personal investment in the work.

Quick quotes

    "Longing, lust, loss, but always rooted in love".

    "Love" is one of a new set of four volumes of poetry by Carol Ann Duffy.

    Selected by herself, these poems showcase Duffy's eloquence and skill in capturing the essence of love.

Journal of Online Research in English Language Education · DBA Abdelmegid · 2018-01-01
insightful 4.20

The analysis highlights Duffy's use of sarcasm and other stylistic elements to explore the theme of love, revealing her unique perspective and mastery of language. The collection is seen as a significant contribution to modern poetry.

The reviewer provides a stylistic and thematic analysis of Duffy's poetry, highlighting her use of sarcasm and other literary devices to explore the theme of love. They find that Duffy's unique perspective and mastery of language make her work stand out. The reviewer also notes that the collection addresses contemporary issues such as oppression and gender, adding depth to the exploration of love. Overall, the analysis suggests that Duffy's work is a significant contribution to modern poetry, offering readers a fresh and insightful look at the complexities of love.

Quick quotes

    Stylistic and thematic analysis of her poetry can give an indication of what the poetry of Carol Ann Duffy can reveal.

    Sarcasm characterises the poetry of Carol Ann Duffy, adding a layer of depth to her exploration of love.

    Duffy's unique perspective and mastery of language make her work stand out in the realm of modern poetry.

The Guardian · 2013-01-18
profound 4.00

The collection challenges the conventional expressions of love, exploring its complexities in a way that feels both fresh and profound. The language is accessible yet deeply evocative, making it resonate with readers.

The reviewer appreciates how Duffy's poems tackle the theme of love from various angles, avoiding clichés and instead offering a nuanced exploration. They find the language accessible, which makes the collection popular in educational settings, yet deeply evocative, allowing readers to connect with the emotions portrayed. The reviewer also notes that Duffy's ability to address issues like oppression and gender within the context of love adds layers of depth to the poems, making them both timely and timeless. Overall, the collection is seen as a significant contribution to modern poetry.

Quick quotes

    "Love challenges the resources of poetry, for has it not been said before, and is it not all so obvious?"

    "I am no one special" says the speaker, highlighting the universality of love and its experiences.

    Duffy's poems address issues such as oppression, gender, and violence, in an accessible language that has made them popular in schools.

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