'This is an unmistakably important book, and its publication will become a significamt landmark moment in the history of Welsh poetry in English.' -- New Welsh Review

Slanderous Tongues addresses a shameful gap in Welsh literary studies: English language poetry over the last forty years. This is a book which for the first time looks at that subject in the round, and in its many diversities. It is distinctive too for being the work of younger critics, who bring a fresh perspective to the subject.

Slanderous Tongues adopts a thematic approach, exploring the field through the prisms of politics, nationhood, gender, the environment, external influences (particularly Welsh language, American and Irish), experimentation in form and language. Among the many poets whose work is considered are RS Thomas, Dannie Abse, Nigel Jenkins, Mike Jenkins, Gillian Clarke, Sheenagh Pugh, Robert Minhinnick, Tony Conran, Ruth Bidgood, Tony Curtis, Hilary Llewellyn-Williams, Deryn Rees-Jones, Gwyneth Lewis, Menna Elfyn, Patience Agbabi, Evan Boland and Medbh McGuckian.

Lively and informed, provocative and perceptive, this specially commissioned book is a superb guide to English language poetry in Wales It will be invaluable for students and their teachers and lecturers, in addition to the engaged general reader. The essayists include: Matthew Jarvis, Tudor Hallam, Nerys Williams, Jo Furber, Jasmine Donahaye, Hywel Dix, Nicholas Jones and the editor, Daniel Williams.