Carcanet online book launch: Anthony Burgess Collected Poems

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Anthony Burgess Collected Poems: Online Book Launch

9 December 2020

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Anthony Burgess.
Writer Anthony Burgess.
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Join Carcanet for their final online book launch of the year: the Collected Poems of Manchester-born writer Anthony Burgess. We’re not sure how many of these events the Manchester-based publishing house has now hosted, but it’s certainly been a busy old time since the lockdown portcullis fell on our live literature outings and their usual programme transferred to Zoom.

Says the blurb about this new tome of Anthony Burgess’s Collected Poems: “His flair for words, formal discipline, experimentalism, and fondness for variousness mark it on every page.”

What’s interesting is how this has also opened up an unusual opportunity – it seems that it’s not impossible to launch a book posthumously, something that might, perhaps, not work as well in real life, as it were. Carcanet’s online activity programme  included, in November, the most recent collection from Irish poet Eavan Boland, who died in April, so her poems were read by the likes of writer Colm Tóibín and discussed by academics and experts of Irish literature. The event tonight marks the launch of Anthony Burgess’s Collected Poems – and as Harpurhey’s most famous son Burgess died 27 years ago, in November 1993, his work will be read by author and Carcanet poet Rachel Mann.

The new collection was edited by Jonathan Mann, a teacher, editor, researcher, poet and musician – and an expert on Burgess’s work. He will be discussing the new edition with another Burgess expert, Andrew Biswell, who is a biographer of Burgess and the author of The Real Life of Anthony Burgess. He is also the director of the International Anthony Burgess Foundation, based in Manchester and welcoming, virtually, Richard Greene on 3 December to give The Anthony Burgess Lecture – he’ll be talking about Russian Roulette, his new biography of Graham Greene, which has been described as “stunning” and “superb”. (See the IABF website for more on that one.)

Born John Anthony Burgess Wilson in 1917, the most famous book in Anthony Burgess’s oeuvre is undoubtedly A Clockwork Orange, although he published over 50 books and thousands of essays. Published in 1962 and adapted into a controversial film by Stanley Kubrick in 1971 (which the director subsequently himself banned in the UK), the novel, with its own language Nadsat, illustrates Burgess’s interest in linguistic innovations, strict formal devices and experimentation – all also to be found in his poetry. Says the blurb about this new tome of Anthony Burgess’s Collected Poems: “His flair for words, formal discipline, experimentalism, and fondness for variousness mark it on every page.”

As is usual for Carcanet online events, extracts of the text will be shown during the reading so that audience members can read along, and they will also have the opportunity to put forward their own questions. Registration for this online event is £2, later redeemable against the cost of the book, available direct from Carcanet at a special price – attendees will receive the discount code and details of how to order during and after the event. Please note that there is a limited number of places for the reading, so do book early to avoid disappointment.

Anthony Burgess Collected Poems
Anthony Burgess Collected Poems

 

Where to go near Carcanet online book launch: Anthony Burgess Collected Poems

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This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
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Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
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Sela Bar & Pizzeria

Sela Bar is a cosy Leeds basement spot with live music, great drinks, and a cool, laid-back, atmospheric vibe.

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Leeds Beckett Student Union

Leeds Beckett Student Union hosts big-name artists and supports students through events, live music, and a vibrant campus venue.

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There's ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and entertainment facilities, making for a great evening out!

Watch the latest film releases and enjoy the industry-leading Sony 4K Digital screens, boasting spectacular picture quality, along with enhanced audio quality courtesy of Dolby 'Profound Sound'. Stepped SuperVue seating means you will never miss a second of the action while VIP seating guarantees you an extra touch of luxury whenever you want to upgrade.

Three of the nine screens showcase the newest 3D releases while Vue Classical brings the latest stage sensations to the big screen, and parents can save as they go with Family Tickets and Kids AM screenings offering great value for money.
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Vue Cinema – Leeds Kirkstall Road

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There’s ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and

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Empire Café

Empire Café is located in Leeds’ ‘home of day dining’- Fish street!

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Phranakhon

Phranakhon Thai Tapas is a revolutionised Thai dining restaurant with a combination of European indulgence and authentic Thai tastes.

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Wen’s

Wen’s is a family owned Chinese restaurant specialising in authentic, home cooked cuisine.

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