Arguably, Clare’s long consignment to oblivion began long before his death in 1864, soon after the fleeting success of his first book, which appeared in 1820. After a brief spell in the limelight, and with peasant or lower-class poets no longer in fashion, Clare’s star waned, and, despite the efforts of a few indefatigable patrons, each of his following three books sold fewer copies than the previous one. It has taken a general awareness of environmental issues and a rediscovery of nature’s importance for Clare to be given his rightful place in the English Parnassus.

Jonathan Bate’s scholarly-yet-readable biography follows Clare from his birth in a semi-literate rural household to his life-changing discovery of poetry, and on to the dizzying days of sudden fame – then back to hopeless poverty and despair – and, increasingly, the ravages of mental illness.

Through Mr. Bate’s compassionate account, we are treated to an endearing vision of the man who started many of his poems with the words “I love”: he loved birds, flowers, trees, streams, the summer sky, the countryside that people like him had once been free to roam but after enclosure laws were passed could enjoy no longer. This man, who was good-naturedly mocked by the London literati for his unpolished manners and funny green coat, was nonetheless extremely sensitive, and this is reflected in the exquisite detail with which he infuses his poetry, generously quoted by Mr. Bate.

Mr. Bate also gives abundant attention to Clare’s family and love life (his long-suffering wife emerges as especially deserving of pity) and to his slow but relentless descent into alienation. The medical causes of the latter are explored, and explanations offered. We are also treated to a discerning account of the asylum years, Clare’s peculiar obsessions, and, most enjoyable of all, his “poetry of madness”, which includes many powerful, harrowing pieces.

At 575 closely-printed pages (plus notes), one would have thought reading this biography a daunting task. It is nothing of the sort. Rather, it is an illuminating study of an exceptional life, as well as a trip into an age that gave us Keats, Shelley and Byron – and gave us John Clare.

Laura Chalar is a 29-year-old poet-cum-lawyer from Uruguay, South America (currently living in Buenos Aires, Argentina). Her first book of poetry was published in Montevideo in 2005. She is in charge of the poetry section of the Uruguayan literary magazine Letra Nueva, where she also publishes book reviews and articles, and of the cultural section of the community periodical La Farola, where she contributes reviews and articles on literary and historical issues. In 2006 she will be a guest editor of Versal magazine.

© 2006 Laura Hird All rights reserved.