Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World by Pádraig Ó Tuama - Non Fiction - Hardback

Details
Condition: New
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781838856328
Publisher: Canongate Books
Age Range: Adult

Overview
Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World is a brand new hardback collection curated by Pádraig Ó Tuama, presenter of the acclaimed Poetry Unbound podcast. Expanding on episodes heard by millions, this beautifully produced book pairs fifty powerful poems with Ó Tuama's own illuminating commentary. It is an accessible, warm-hearted invitation into contemporary poetry, perfect for readers who want meaning and connection without feeling overwhelmed by literary jargon.

About the Book
Drawn from the much-loved Poetry Unbound podcast — downloaded more than six million times — this collection gathers fifty poems chosen for what they reveal about being alive in the world today. Each poem is followed by a short, generous reflection from Ó Tuama, blending personal anecdote, gentle close reading, and open-hearted curiosity rather than academic analysis. The result feels like a conversation with a wise, funny friend rather than a lecture, making even unfamiliar poets feel welcoming and clear.

The book goes beyond the podcast's archive, including new selections never covered on the show alongside firm favourites. Contributors span a wide and vibrant range of contemporary voices, including Hanif Abdurraqib, Patience Agbabi, Raymond Antrobus, Margaret Atwood, Ada Limón, Kei Miller, Roger Robinson, Lemn Sissay and Layli Long Soldier, among many others. Running to 384 pages, it offers real breadth: poems about grief and joy, identity and belonging, conflict and tenderness, each given room to breathe on the page. Ó Tuama's own background as a poet, theologian and peace-builder threads through his commentary, lending the collection a rare emotional intelligence. Whether read cover to cover or dipped into one poem at a time, it rewards slow, attentive reading and repeat visits.

• Fifty carefully chosen poems, each paired with insightful, accessible commentary
• Includes brand new selections alongside poems from the popular Poetry Unbound podcast
• Features celebrated contemporary poets including Margaret Atwood, Ada Limón and Lemn Sissay
• A beautifully produced hardback, ideal for gifting or a treasured personal keepsake
• Perfect for book clubs, classrooms, and quiet evenings of reflective reading

About the Author
Pádraig Ó Tuama (b. 1975, Ireland) is a poet and theologian whose work explores language, conflict and religion. He presents the Poetry Unbound podcast from On Being Studios and is a former leader of Corrymeela, Ireland's oldest peace and reconciliation organisation. His poetry collections include Readings from the Book of Exile and Sorry for Your Troubles, and his writing has appeared in The New Yorker and The Harvard Review, establishing him as a trusted, distinctive voice in contemporary poetry.

Why You'll Love This Collection
Warm, wise and refreshingly unpretentious, this hardback anthology makes poetry feel like a conversation rather than a puzzle — a rich, giftable introduction to fifty unforgettable voices.

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