Rapture

by Carol Ann Duffy
Rapture cover
Good Books rating 4.38
Poetry
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  • ID: 619
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9780330433914
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2006-01-01
  • Formats: 46
  • Reviews: 4

Carol Ann Duffy's 'Rapture' is a celebrated collection of poetry that delves into the intricate and often contradictory nature of love. The poems serve as a map of real love, capturing its various transformations—infatuation, longing, passion—and refusing to simplify its redemptive or destructive aspects. Duffy's effortless virtuosity and deep humanity shine through in this collection, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate the nuances of poetic expression. /n/n This collection is a testament to Duffy's skill as a contemporary poet, offering a rich and varied exploration of love that resonates with readers on multiple levels. Her refusal to oversimplify the complexities of love makes 'Rapture' a standout work in modern poetry.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-10-13
refreshing 4.50

The poetry is described as simple, warm, and honest, offering a refreshing and thoughtful experience. It is praised for its lack of sentimentality and its ability to feel like a breath of fresh air.

The reviewer finds Rapture to be a collection that is both simple and profound. They appreciate the warmth and honesty in the poetry, noting that it is thoughtful without being overly sentimental. The collection is described as a breath of fresh air, offering a refreshing and uplifting reading experience. The reviewer highlights the emotional depth and sincerity of the poems, making it a collection that feels both personal and universal.

Quick quotes

    This poetry is simple and warm and honest. It is thoughtful and sweet without gooey sentimentality. It feels like a breath of fresh air on a cold night, and a ...

Anglophonism · 2012-08-10
moving 4.50

The poetry collection captures the full spectrum of a relationship, from initial flirting to passionate love and eventual conflict. It is praised for its raw and relatable portrayal of human emotions.

This review highlights how the collection 'Rapture' by Carol Ann Duffy beautifully encapsulates the journey of a relationship. It starts with the delicate, tentative moments of flirting and evolves into a deep, consuming passion. The reviewer appreciates the honesty with which Duffy portrays the arguments and conflicts that inevitably arise. The collection is seen as a powerful exploration of love in all its complexity, making it a relatable and moving read. The reviewer admires Duffy's ability to convey such a wide range of emotions with precision and depth.

Quick quotes

    It's the story of a whole relationship – from the first, tentative flirting texts to the deep, inescapable passion, to the arguments and the shouting.

    Duffy's poetry is raw and relatable, capturing the essence of human emotions with remarkable clarity.

    The collection is a powerful exploration of love in all its complexity.

The Guardian · 2006-01-07
insightful 4.00

The collection is described as sad yet not bleak, drawing on tradition while feeling very contemporary. Duffy's use of humor and precise imagery is particularly noteworthy.

The Guardian's review of 'Rapture' by Carol Ann Duffy notes that while the collection deals with themes of sadness, it does so without falling into bleakness. The reviewer appreciates how Duffy draws on traditional elements while keeping the poetry feel very up to date. One of the standout aspects highlighted is Duffy's ability to incorporate humor and create precise, striking images that resonate with readers. This blend of tradition and modernity, along with her unique voice, makes the collection a standout in contemporary poetry.

Quick quotes

    Rapture is sad, but not bleak.

    Duffy is a poet who surprises with images that are precisely funny.

    It draws on tradition, but is very up to date.

The Independent · 2005-09-16
fantastic 4.50

The collection is celebrated for its literary originality and the poet's continued growth and strength. It is seen as a significant addition to the genre of love poetry.

This review from The Independent praises Carol Ann Duffy's 'Rapture' for its subtle literary originality and the poet's ongoing development. The reviewer finds it fantastic to see Duffy continuing to excel and innovate within the genre of love poetry. The collection is viewed as a significant contribution, echoing traditional elements while bringing something fresh and unique. The reviewer's enthusiasm for Duffy's work is evident, highlighting her as one of the best and most popular poets of her time.

Quick quotes

    Fantastic, to see one of our best and most popular poets going from strength to strength.

    Subtle literary originality, echoing traditional elements while bringing something fresh and unique.

    A significant addition to the genre of love poetry.

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