This Reader's Guide charts the reception history of Ted Hughes' poetry from his first to last published collection, culminating in posthumous tributes and assessments of his lifetime achievement. Sandie Byrne explores the criticism relating to key issues such as nature, myth, the Laureateship, and Hughes' relationship with Sylvia Plath.

SANDIE BYRNE is Reader in English at the University of Lincoln, UK.

List of Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Early Work
2. Nature Poetry
3. The Sequences
4. Hughes and Plath
5. Later Work
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index.