Tidings: A Christmas Journey

Description

An enchanting full-length narrative poem, which takes us round the world at Christmas Beautifully illustrated and exquisitely musical, Tidings is a poem to be read out loud and cherished. 'Come with me to St Pancras Old Church, on a little London hill...' It's Christmas Eve and on this enchanted night Charoum, the Angel of Silence, can speak. As night turns to day, he unfolds a resonant story of a little girl, a homeless man and a fox... In the tradition of Charles Dickens and Dylan Thomas, Tidings takes us on a journey into the heart of Christmas, showing us celebrations down the ages and across the globe - as dawn sweeps from East Australia to Bethlehem, from London to the Statue of Liberty in New York. This is Christmas in all its magic, reminding us that it is a time not only of good tidings, but of loneliness and longing, compassion and connection.

Ruth Padel is a prize-winning poet, author of twelve acclaimed poetry collections and prose works including much-loved books on reading contemporary poetry, a travel-memoir on wild tiger conservation, and a study of the influence of Greek myth on rock music. Awards include a British Council Darwin Now Award, a Travel Bursary and Cholmondley Award from The Society of Authors, and First Prize in the National Poetry Competition. She is Professor of Poetry at King's College London and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

A literary and emotional feat... Tidings is an eloquent reminder that life is hard, kindness is all and that the Christmas story goes deep... A moving poem just asking to be read aloud, with different people playing each part - angel, child, tramp, fox and helper - this Christmas. -- Kate Kellaway * Observer * [This] exquisite-looking hardback is a lovely reminder of seasonal magic. -- Joanne Finney * Good Housekeeping, Book of the Year * It's not just a special seasonal book, it is a real challenge to both commercialized and sentimental versions of Christmas. * Universe * Magical... a literary and emotional feat (elegantly illustrated in red, white, black and gold) .Padel is too wise to allow sentimentality to tug at her sleeve. What she does, brilliantly, is to see off the sense of resignation that can set in at Christmas. Tidings is an eloquent reminder that life is hard, kindness is all and that the Christmas story goes deep. No sermon, this, but a moving poem just asking to be read aloud. -- Kate Kellaway * Observer * A gorgeous Christmas poem...meant to be read aloud, explores what Christmas might mean to us today -- not just a time of celebration but also of conflict and loneliness. Lyrically beautiful, and accompanied by gorgeous illustrations by Sarah Young. * Stylist *