Publisher's Synopsis
A substantial selection of the poems of Christina Rossetti (over 500) composed between the age of 13 and 63, covering all editions of her poetry and work unpublished in her lifetime.The poems are arranged in a largely chronological order and dated; the latest possible date is given where precise dates are unknown.;There is a full Introduction which considers current editions of Christina Rossetti's poetry, both complete editions and selected editions. The content of the selected poems in the volume is outlined in the Introduction and the aims and principles of the selection are fully explained.;There are notes on most of the poems and they incorporate William Rossetti's notes (from his 1904 or 1896 editions) and comments are included on them where required. The notes also include background information and comment on poems which might contain autobiographical elements, and there are introductory commentaries on all major poems or sonnet sequences.;The whole of Sing Song is included (her 'nursery rhyme book' for children) and all sonnet sequences are preserved intact (no extracts or selections). The poems are laid out spaciously and no poem (unless longer than 50 lines) is broken up, or squeezed into available space.;Frances Thomas, author of an acclaimed biography of Christina Rossetti (1994), has written a foreword, and there is an essay about the special qualities of Christina Rossetti's verse, written by Margaret Hunt, the assistant editor.;The Indexes inform on where each poem first appeared in a collected edition as well as giving the date of each poem.
