Description

Book Synopsis

First published in 1983, River celebrates fluvial landscapes, their creatures and their regenerative powers.
Inspired by Hughes''s love of fishing and by his environmental activism, the poems are a deftly and passionately
attentive chronicle of change over the course of the seasons. West Country rivers predominate (''The West Dart''
and ''Torridge''), but other poems imagine or recall Japanese rivers or Celtic rivers, and ''The Gulkana'' explores
an ancient Alaskan watercourse. At its core the sequence rehearses, in various settings, from winter to winter,
the life-cycle of the salmon.

All this, too, is stitched into the torn richness,
The epic poise
That holds him so steady in his wounds, so loyal to his doom,
so patient
In the machinery of heaven.

from ''October Salmon''

River

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    A Paperback / softback by Ted Hughes

    £10.44

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    RRP £10.99 – you save £0.55 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 30 Sep 2026.

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      Book details

      Publisher Faber & Faber
      Published 15 September 2011
      ISBN-13 9780571278756
      978-0571278756
      ISBN-10 0571278752
      Also in:
      Poetry

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      First published in 1983, River celebrates fluvial landscapes, their creatures and their regenerative powers.
      Inspired by Hughes''s love of fishing and by his environmental activism, the poems are a deftly and passionately
      attentive chronicle of change over the course of the seasons. West Country rivers predominate (''The West Dart''
      and ''Torridge''), but other poems imagine or recall Japanese rivers or Celtic rivers, and ''The Gulkana'' explores
      an ancient Alaskan watercourse. At its core the sequence rehearses, in various settings, from winter to winter,
      the life-cycle of the salmon.

      All this, too, is stitched into the torn richness,
      The epic poise
      That holds him so steady in his wounds, so loyal to his doom,
      so patient
      In the machinery of heaven.

      from ''October Salmon''

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