Rhapsody: A Manifesto

Experience a daring, genre-defying work of non-fiction from one of our greatest poets, Alice Oswald. Rhapsody: A Manifesto is a profound exploration of poetry in its most original and vital form, celebrating the enduring power of the oral tradition.

Alice Oswald embarks on a quest to discover poetry before it was written down, before it was confined to a single voice. Her journey, which begins with an attempt to 'interview' Homer, unfolds into a captivating exploration of an anonymous tradition that transcends authorship. This tradition encompasses a vast spectrum of voices, from singers and storytellers to mourners and listeners, and even the natural world, including nightingales, grasshoppers, and rivers.

Weaving through ballads, riddles, pibrochs, drama, interviews, artificial intelligence, and sonnets, Rhapsody is a restless and miraculous investigation into the essence of poetry. It stands as a resounding manifesto for the oral tradition, highlighting its communal and essential nature.

Oswald's work is both intimate and expansive, inviting readers to connect with the voices that shape us. She challenges the perception of poetry as a solitary, written art, instead presenting it as a fundamental human inheritance shared by all.

Key Features:

• A genre-defying work of non-fiction by acclaimed poet Alice Oswald.
• Explores the origins and evolution of poetry, focusing on the oral tradition.
• Intertwines diverse forms including ballads, riddles, drama, and interviews.
• Celebrates poetry as a communal and essential human inheritance.

Specifications:

• Author: Alice Oswald
• Binding: hardcover
• Language: English
• Publication Date: September 17, 2026
• Page Count: 304 pages
• Dimensions: 14.6 x 3 x 22.5 cm
• Weight: 400 g
• ISBN-10: 1787332217
• ISBN-13: 978-1787332218
• EAN: 9781787332218
• Release Date: 17 Sep 2026

Discover the living, guiding, and singing essence of poetry with Rhapsody: A Manifesto.