The studies in this volume revolve around certain thematic axes such as the theme of poetic and critical reception, the issue of lyricism, the relationship between modernism and innovation, the role of rhetoric in poetry, and the dialogue between history and poetry. They can serve as stimuli for a different approach to poetry: historical and rhetorical at the same time, which may help us better understand the continuities and ruptures in modern Greek poetry, as well as the dialogue between poets and currents. Through their comprehensive reissue, the genres, currents, and issues are highlighted, thus composing metonymically the historical background to appreciate certain recent developments in contemporary Greek poetry.

The book is structured into the following parts: I. "Lyricism and Reception", Ch. 1, "The reception of Solomos: national poetry and the issue of lyricism", Ch. 2, "Kalvos and the poetry of difference", Ch. 3, "Poetic memory or the specter of karyotakism: Empeirikos, Kontos, Gkanas". II. "Modernism and Innovation", Ch. 4, "The Twelve-Logos of the Gypsy: the dilemma of modernism and the utopia of transcendent composition", Ch. 5, "Karyotakis' poetry as a challenge to modernism", Ch. 6 "The 'Poetics' of guilt and the material strength of words". III. "History and Rhetoric", Ch. 7, "Seferis' existential historiography", Ch. 8, "The rhetoric of rejection and the pananastic cry in Empeirikos", Ch. 9, "Ritsos' Orestes: the politics of myth and the anarchy of rhetoric".