|
Modern Theories of
Poetic Criticism
by R.S. Tiwary,
Prakash Book Depot, Bareilly. Pages: 184. Rs. 125.
 Harriet Munroe
describes poetry as 'The Cinderella of the Arts.' Indeed, this
Cinderella appears to have her best days behind her. Today
nobody is interested in reading or hearing verse. But there was
a time when accolades were showered on poetry and some of the
greatest minds romanced this beauty. Keats exclaimed, A
drainless shower / Of light is poesy; 'tis the supreme of power;
/ 'Tis might half slumb'ring on its own right arm, while
Matthew Arnold described it as "A criticism of life under
the conditions fixed for such a criticism by the laws of poetic
truth and poetic beauty".
Is poetry
philosophy encapsulated in verse? Succinct and lyrical
expression of one's innermost thoughts? Exotic articulation of
mundane experience? A mathematical perfection? All of these and
much else, perhaps? Poetry defies definition and yet we
recognise it at a glance. Legend has it that the first verse was
composed when Maharishi Valmiki witnessed the killing of a male
krauncha bird while it was mating. The anger and agony triggered
by the foul deed was expressed in verse. Tiwary says,
"Poetry is self-fulfilling utterance in response to stimuli
of a sensitively endowed individual". This stimulus could
be joy, love or pain. As Philip Larkin says, Deprivation is
for me what daffodils were for Wordsworth.
Poetry remains an
enigma even today. Perhaps that's how it should be; in A.E.
Houseman's words, "Even when poetry has a meaning, as it
usually has, it may be inadvisable to draw it out...Perfect
understanding will sometimes almost extinguish pleasure."
This book has four
sections. The first section introduces us to poetry; the second
gives a general background including a topic on appreciation of
poetry in Indian poetics. The third section deals with the
modern theories, while the fourth comprises a piece on the
critic.
This book is
excellent reference material for those interested in poetry.
***
Edgar Allan Poe's
Influence on Detective Fiction
by Anupam Bansal,
Prakash Book Depot, Bareilly. Pages: 152. Rs. 120
 Detective fiction
has been a popular genre for ages now. Hercule Poirot, Perry
Mason, Sherlock Holmes and others have become global household
names. It was Edgar Allan Poe who had "not only formulated
the definition and technique of the short story but also founded
the genre of detective fiction". Detective fiction came
into existence in 1841 when Poe's The Murders in the Rue
Morgue, The Mystery of Marie Roget and The Purloined
Letter were published.
This book traces
the influence of Poe's writings on great masters of the genre
like Doyle, Chesterton, Asimov and Christie.
Worthy of your
bookshelf.
***
Dr. Bidhan Chandra
Roy
by Dr. Nitish
Sengupta, Publication Division, Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting. Pages: 257. Rs. 112.
A legendary
physician, distinguished political leader, educationist and
social worker, Dr. B.C. Roy, was one of the giants of the 20th
century India. He was born on July 1, 1882 in Patna into a
family that claimed blue-blooded lineage. His father, P.C. Roy,
led a life of constant struggle against poverty. By dint of his
ability and hard work B.C. Roy rose to great heights. He is also
known as the architect of modern West Bengal. An inspirational
book.
|
THIS book is a bit
of shock to me. I've known Justice Singh for quite some time now
and have been in constant touch with him. We have often
exchanged notes on life's riddles, and cracked jokes. Yet, it is
through this book, I learn that he is suffering from blood
cancer.
