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Presents information on Ted Hughes' book of poems `Birthday Letters,' which includes three decades of poems written secretly to his dead wife, Slyvia Plath. Plath's suicide; Description of Plath as a crucial figure in American poetry; What happened to Hughes' poetry after Plath's death.

The article discusses the portrayal of British poet Ted Hughes and his wife, poet Sylvia Plath, in biographies and Hughes' literature. Topics include the concept that Hughes was in some way culpable in Plath's death, Hughes' book "Birthday Letters" and his poem "Black Coat: Opus 131," and the Plath biographies "Mad Girl's Love Song" by Andrew Wilson and "American Isis" by Carl Rollyson.

The article focuses on the book "Birthday Letters," by Ted Hughes which is constituted of poems. In the book the author is bewildered as he looks inside, half-enviously, into the implacable and devouring abyss of the protagonist Sylvia Plat's absurd fixation on her brute of a father. The book consists of poems, some of them her own stunning poems which have been timed to coincide with the thirty-fifth anniversary of Plat's suicide. "Birthday Letters" is, of course, as it was designed to be, the honest literary gossip material and confession around. It will prove more than that to those who can separate Hughes's power of description from all the tainting, tendentious demonology, or to those who really like such shrill writing.

Considers British poet laureate Ted Hughes' publication of a collection of poems dealing with his relationship with the late poet Sylvia Plath. Hughes' years of silence about their relationship; Plath's suicide after Hughes left her for another woman; Her stature as a martyr; Feminist treatment of Hughes; Range of the poems in `Birthday Letters.'

Discusses the release of the poem book titled `Birthday Letters,' from British poet laureate Ted Hughes. The book as quoting the poems of Hughes' former wife, poet Sylvia Plath, and offering his version of events of her suicide; How admirers of Plath have scapegoated Hughes.

Looks at the best-selling writers in the United Kingdom. Publication of `Birthday Letters,' by Ted Hughes; Growing taste in both fiction and non-fiction in British reading; Narrowing of focus where fiction is concerned.

Cites actress Patricia Arquette's recommendation of the books 'Birthday Letters,' by Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath's 'The Bell Jar' and 'Johnny Panic.'

Reports the death of the poet Ted Hughes who died in November 1998. Personal background on Hughes; His marriage to the poet Sylvia Plath; His book `Birthday Letters,' about their relationship; Other books by Hughes.

Presents information on publishing and literary life in Great Britain for February 5, 1999. Ted Hughes winning the Whitbread prize for poetry for his `Birthday Letters'; Sale of the cottage in Haydon Bridge, Northumberland where Philip Larkin spent his holidays; Death of Marion Boyars, English publisher; Other information.

Describes two books. Copies printed for the book `Birthday Letters,' by Ted Hughes; Features of the book `Sea Battles on Dry Land,' by Harold Brodkey.

Mentions the book of poetry `Birthday Letters,' by Ted Hughes. Hughes' marriage to poet Sylvia Plath; The symposium of Hughes' book by the Academy of American Poets in February 1998.

Focuses on A. Alvarez opposition on the increase of sales for the Ted Hughes collection `Birthday Letters' in relation to the interest of the poem by consumers for the wrong reason. Where Alvarez voice his concerns; Details on the rating for poetry; Information on how some of Alvarez fellow poets try to fend off the Oprah element.

Focuses on Britain's poet laureate, Ted Hughes. His book `Birthday Letters,' a collection of poems studying the life of his late wife, Sylvia Plath, Plath's suicide; Hughes being reviled by feminist groups.

Focuses on the market success of the book "Birthday Letters," by Ted Hughes in the U.S. in 1998. Fascination of the public with Hughes' marriage; Background of the death of Hughes' wife Sylvia Plath; Effect of the book on poetry in the U.S.