Urban Myths and Legends Costa Prize as the present work of

as the present work of recreation picks

‘All of the poems in this debut

In ‘this unseen structure written by a ghost’ Yang Lian weaves together lived experience with meditations on time

these poems see James writing with his insight and energy not only undiminished but positively charged by his situation: Sentenced to Life represents a career high point from one of the greatest literary intelligences of the age

Urban Myths and Legends Costa Prize as the present work ofUrban Myths and Legends is a sparky collection of poems by modern poets who have taken inspiration from the Roman poet Ovids Metamorphoses. The poems all tell stories which include a transformation some inspired directly by the Metamorphoses and some completely new and of our time. Wings sprout, leaves fall and a traffic warden is rudely interrupted, as the poets channel Ovids mischief and whisper tales of just and unjust deserts.