Field Work - Seamus Heaney
In 1980 I produced a television programme in which Seamus Heaney, the future Nobel Laureate in Literature, discussed his work and read from Field Work, his (then) latest book of poetry. For me, Heaney was the perfect studio guest – congenially Irish (always a good start!), conversational, easy going, and utterly without pretension.
Heaney is one of the greatest writers of poetry in the English language – but if that’s not enough, he’s also a lecturer, playwright and translator. His most notable translation is undoubtedly the first millennium Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf in 1999.
Working with him on a half-hour programme was a joy; one of the great pleasures of my life. I’ve no idea what became of the programme recording; perhaps it’s in an archive somewhere, although I rather doubt it.
♦ Very sadly, Seamus Heaney died in 2013, at the age of 75.
Field Work - Seamus Heaney
In 1980 I produced a television programme in which Seamus Heaney, the future Nobel Laureate in Literature, discussed his work and read from Field Work, his (then) latest book of poetry. For me, Heaney was the perfect studio guest – congenially Irish (always a good start!), conversational, easy going, and utterly without pretension.
Heaney is one of the greatest writers of poetry in the English language – but if that’s not enough, he’s also a lecturer, playwright and translator. His most notable translation is undoubtedly the first millennium Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf in 1999.
Working with him on a half-hour programme was a joy; one of the great pleasures of my life. I’ve no idea what became of the programme recording; perhaps it’s in an archive somewhere, although I rather doubt it.
♦ Very sadly, Seamus Heaney died in 2013, at the age of 75.