Vendler on Armitage

Helen Vendler has written a lengthy review of Simon Armitage's latest book, Tyrannosaurus Rex Vs. the Corduroy Kid. The review, and especially the book, which was published by Anansi hereabouts, are both worth a good look. Of younger (sub-50) poets working in English, Armitage is one of the few bona fide contenders for the mantle of major poet. I haven't read all his books, but each of the four books I've read has amazing poems in it. There are very few poets with the combination of craft, vision and civic engagement possessed by Armitage. Vendler says something about hoping his popularity won't prove too distracting. I don't think it's a real concern with him, somehow; if he was going to get a big head, it would've happened by now.