Harvest Bells ― New and Uncollected Poems by John Betjeman

A charming new collection of previously undiscovered poems by Sir John Betjeman.

John Betjeman (1906-1984), the former poet laureate, remains one of Britain's foremost and much-loved writers whose poetry has passed into the collective memory as an affectionate and witty monument to twentieth century British life. In this new edition of collected unpublished verse, Gardner promises more treasures for Betjeman enthusiasts the world over. Harvest Bells contains poems never before published as well as uncollected poems previously printed only in newspapers, magazines, broadsides and obscure books.

Betjeman wrote many of these poems in the late 1920s and early 1930s, when he was still developing his unique poetic voice. They reveal a young poet experimenting with both Modernism and post-Romanticism. Some of these are profoundly psychological and personal, and they are deeply affecting to read today. Here can be seen the clear and surprising influence of, among other poets, Percy Shelley and Robert Browning. In these poems we can also witness the development of Betjeman's characteristic interests and themes: suburbia, desire, faith, and death. Some have the delicate and eccentric touch of much of his early poetry and shed new light on his growth as a young poet, while many others reflect the sustained maturity of his later verse. Most are typically amusing and highly witty in the manner of a large amount of Betjeman's work; some are darker in tone. These charming new discoveries, found as far apart as Waco, Texas and Christ Church College, Oxford will delight lifelong readers as well as introducing a whole new generation to Betjeman's unforgettable work.

Sir John Betjeman was born in 1906 and educated at Marlborough and Magdalen College, Oxford. He gave his first radio talk in 1932; future appearances made him into a national celebrity. He was knighted in 1969 and appointed poet laureate in 1972. He died in 1984.

Dr Kevin Gardner is Professor of English at Baylor University, USA. As well as Poems in the Porch he has published with Continuum some critical books including Faith and Doubt of John Betjeman (Continuum 2011).