Ranging from a discussion of Derek Walcott’s earliest poetry in
Twenty-Five Poems
to his most recent collections that explore the encroachment of old age, this anthology of critical essays is the most up-to-date on Walcott’s entire oeuvre: poetry, plays, and prose. The contributors are predominantly, though not exclusively, Caribbean-based, ensuring that, while Walcott’s position as a cosmopolitan poet is celebrated, the Caribbean—and St. Lucia specifically—is seen as the source to which his writing constantly returns. The essays cover a host of topics, offering political and aesthetic readings of Walcott’s work; exploring how his
Omeros
and
The Odyssey: A Stage Version
challenge a rereading of the original epics; discussing how his poetry crosses local and international spaces; revisiting the allegedly competitive relationship between Walcott and Kamau Brathwaite while finding a flow of influence from the latter to the former; and more. This is an absolutely essential resource for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of and appreciation for Derek Walcott’s multifaceted body of work.