AN ACRE OF GREEN GRASS by Buddhadeva Bose

AN ACRE OF GREEN GRASS
Author: Buddhadeva Bose
Publisher: Orient Longmans
Edition: First Edition, 1948
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 107
Size: 5 inch × 8 inch

Published in 1948 by Orient Longmans, An Acre of Green Grass stands as a landmark literary and critical work by one of India’s foremost writers, Buddhadeva Bose. Spanning 107 compact and intellectually rich pages, this book brings to the English-reading world a deeply personal and analytical perspective on Bengali poetry—especially the evolution and voice of modernism within it.

The book is not a dry academic text but rather a vivid literary essay that balances cultural critique with poetic sensitivity. Bose, a key figure in Bengali literature and one of the most cosmopolitan Indian writers of his generation, writes with clarity, warmth, and authority. He introduces the lives and works of important modern Bengali poets such as Jibanananda Das, Sudhindranath Dutta, and of course, Rabindranath Tagore, while passionately arguing for the autonomy and richness of modern Bengali verse.

As an essayist and translator, Bose’s command of the English language brings an elegant fluency to his exposition, allowing global readers to engage with the poetic traditions of Bengal in an accessible and emotionally resonant way. His keen observations, poetic interpretations, and personal insights are woven together in a style that is both scholarly and meditative.

A literary gem, this book is essential for readers interested in world literature, postcolonial literary studies, and South Asian cultural history. It is also a thoughtful introduction for those curious about the depth and beauty of Bengali poetry, conveyed through the lens of a poet who lived it.

A literary and critical gateway to modern Bengali poetry

Written by celebrated Indian poet and translator Buddhadeva Bose

Offers insights into the works of poets like Jibanananda Das and Tagore

Written in lyrical and engaging English prose

A compact, first-edition collectible for poetry and literary studies enthusiasts