Canaan

The Washington Post Book World refers to the "sensuality and coiled force" of Geoffrey Hill's poetry, and Donald Hall calls him "the best English poet of the twentieth century." In this collection, Hill takes on the role of prophet and witness, expressing outrage over England's recent history and politics. There is a deeper resonance in the writing, too, which is alluded to in the title. Hill suggests that most of human history and politics is corrupt and inhumane, and he is angry. Hill's is powerful writing that marries the earthly and the spiritual.