This is the first paperback edition of Antoinette Quinn’s acclaimed biography of Patrick Kavanagh, the most important Irish poet between the death of Yeats and the rise of Heaney.

From the reviews of the hardback edition:

‘This is, quite simply, a magnificent work of love and scholarship and everybody with any interest in Ireland, and especially its poetry, must have a copy always to hand. The best biography I have read in years.’ John F. Deane, Irish Independent

‘This is a brave, strong book.’ John Montague, Irish Times

‘A strong and thoughtful ... Read morework.’ Emanuel Keogh, Sunday Business Post

‘For anyone interested in Kavanagh, interested in the development of Irish poetry and the particularities of Irish culture, this book is, of course, an absolute must, but I would defy anyone to pick up this book and not find themselves immediately engrossed.’ Melissa Murray, Sunday Tribune

‘Antoinette Quinn has written a wonderful biography of this complex spirit: deeply researched, full of fascinating detail and entirely readable from beginning to end. This is the book we’ve been waiting for.’ Anthony Cronin, Sunday Independent

‘. . . superbly researched and replete with arcane details of his life.’ Dan McCarthy, Irish Examiner