The Bees

By: Carol Ann Duffy

Write A Review

Paperback | 6 January 2026

At a Glance

Paperback
96 Pages

Edition Type
New edition

Dimensions(cm)
19.5 x 12.5 x 1.5

Paperback

$30.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $7.69 with

or

Ships in 15 to 25 business days

'Swooningly glorious' The Times

'Indisputably her best volume' Sunday Times

The Bees is Carol Ann Duffy's first collection of poems as Poet Laureate. In it she uses her full poetic range: there are drinking songs, love poems, poems of political anger; there are elegies, too, for beloved friends, and - most movingly - the poet's own mother.

Woven and weaving through the book is its presiding spirit: the bee. Sometimes the bee is Duffy's subject, sometimes it strays into the poem, or hovers at its edge. In the end, Duffy's point is clear: the bee symbolizes what we have left of grace in the world, and what is most precious and necessary for us to protect. The Bees, at once intimate and public, is a work of great power from one of our most cherished poets.

Industry Reviews

Beautiful and moving poetry for the real world -- Jeanette Winterson * Guardian * Wonderful . . . a poet alert to every sound and shape of language * Sunday Telegraph * Duffy is magnificent, grounded, heartfelt, dedicated to the notion that poetry can give us the music of life itself * Scotsman *

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.