14th January 1999

crass: stupid and insensitive

considerable: something which is 'considerable' is great in amount or degree

mythical: here used to mean like something in a myth. Mythical can also mean imaginary

posthumous: used to describe something which happens after someone’s death but relates to something they did while they were alive

compelling: here 'compelling' means that people were very interested by the marriage - people were fascinated by the marriage

tempestuous: stormy - full of very strong and often painful emotions

tragic: something which has a very sad ending

The collection is highly accomplished, and searingly personal; it reveals a side to Hughes so closely guarded during his life - in particular, his abiding grief over the break up of his marriage and Plath's death. Birthday letters was a critical success as soon as it was published, but Hughes death so soon afterwards has elevated the book and the man into more sacred territory.

accomplished: if someone is accomplished at something they are very good at that thing

searingly: very strongly and painfully

closely guarded: here used in the sense that something is kept well hidden

abiding grief: long-lasting extreme sadness

break up: the end

elevated: to elevate something is to make it more important; to increase the status of the thing

sacred: you can describe something as sacred when it is too important to be changed or criticised