Before she became one of the world’s most important and loved novelists, Margaret Atwood was a poet.

Dearly is her first collection in over a decade. It brings together many of her most recognisable and celebrated themes, but distilled – from perfect descriptions of the natural world to startlingly witty encounters with aliens, from pressing political issues to myth and legend.

Notably, the dedication ‘For Graeme, in absentia’ sits discreetly at the start of the collection and as many of poems are about absences and endings, ageing and retrospection, I personally can’t help but think of it as a dedication to her late husband which makes it all the more poignant. But I should say that it also includes beautiful works about gifts and renewals, exploring bodies and minds in transition, as well as the everyday objects and rituals.

It is a pure Atwood delight, highly accessible where long-term readers and new fans alike will treasure its insight, empathy and humour.