THE WASTE LAND and Other Poems: 100th Anniversary International Edition

Gr 10 Up–This 2022 anniversary edition of Eliot’s famously challenging Modernist poem, “The Waste Land,” is the first and only known edition published with the inclusion of Latin, Greek, Italian, and German translations in line with the non-English language text. Otherwise, the book contains Eliot’s unabridged poem, along with front and back matter. The foreword by Chinese author, poet, and translator Qiu Xiaolong, addresses the universal personal and impersonal meanings of this famous work in the context of Communist China and the Cultural Revolution. Back matter includes a brief essay by the editor about the significance of this centenary edition that intends to honor Eliot and be appealing and accessible to all readers. Although the translated passages facilitate a more fluid and continuous reading without having to pause to use translation or research tools to understand certain passages, this version does not include notes, on-page commentary, or explanatory text that would enable interpretation of Eliot’s complex allusions and references for young readers.