The review discusses Thom Gunn's life and career, highlighting his early success, personal struggles, and shift in poetic style. It notes his acceptance as a major poet despite initial criticism for his exploration of homosexuality, drugs, and social issues.
Thom Gunn's journey as a poet is marked by both personal and artistic evolution. Initially celebrated for his early works, Gunn faced criticism when he shifted his focus to themes like homosexuality and drug use. His move to San Francisco and his experiences with the AIDS crisis further shaped his poetry. Despite early setbacks, his recent recognition with the David Cohen prize signifies a reversal of his declining reputation in Britain. The review also touches on his traumatic childhood, including his mother's suicide and his experiences during National Service, which influenced his early poetic imagery. Gunn's association with the Movement and his complex relationship with critics and peers are also explored, painting a picture of a poet who continually redefined himself.
Quick quotes
Thom Gunn's parents divorced and his mother committed suicide, but at Cambridge his poetry found admirers.
The prize perhaps marks a recognition that Gunn has entirely reversed this trend over the past 10 years.
Gunn was by now attending University College School in Hampstead; "a nice and relaxed school. I have no complaints about it except that I didn't learn very much other than what I taught myself, though there were some good teachers".