Scan barcode
bookishjohanna's review against another edition
5.0
A poetry collection filled with melancholy and sorrow. Of war, lovers lost, death and voices from beyond the grave. With a beautifully harrowing language these poems make their way straight to the soul. Absolutely loved it.
nursedingus's review against another edition
4.0
I found these poems interesting, and they give an interesting view into Housman's life and experiences during the war. The opening discussion by Finney does make a good point that they can all be somewhat 'glum', but I enjoyed the dark look into life and loss.
jeffhall's review against another edition
4.0
This is a classic collection of poems, with the individual verses functioning as standalone pieces that also take on an almost narrative shape if read in order. Some of the themes are quite dark, but Housman manages to achieve great poetic effects even when writing about suicide, such as in poem XLV:
If it chance your eye offend you,
Pluck it out, lad, and be sound:
'Twill hurt, but here are salves to friend you,
And many a balsam grows on ground.
And if your hand or foot offend you,
Cut it off, lad, and be whole:
But play the man, stand up and end you.
When your sickness is your soul.
If it chance your eye offend you,
Pluck it out, lad, and be sound:
'Twill hurt, but here are salves to friend you,
And many a balsam grows on ground.
And if your hand or foot offend you,
Cut it off, lad, and be whole:
But play the man, stand up and end you.
When your sickness is your soul.
jayne_ere's review against another edition
4.0
Having heard many musical settings of these poems, I was eager to read the set. The woodcuts are beautiful and complement the poems well. Vaughan Williams and Butterworth certainly knew how to select the most touching poems and leave the rest. By the end I was wearying a bit of the familiar tropes. The lad who breathes no more, amidst the countryside that once I ere did know... etc. There really are some beautiful poems, I just wouldn't suggest reading too many at a time.
painauchocolat's review against another edition
My favorite poem in middle school, or rather the first English language poem that left an imprint on me, was Housman's "I to my perils." It is not in this collection, but I copied it below. "A Shropshire Lad" is rather unremarkable but "I to my perils" continues to give to me in a way that I can't explain, especially during difficult times.
I to my perils
Of cheat and charmer
Came clad in armour
By stars benign.
Hope lies to mortals
And most believe her
But man's deceiver
Was never mine.
The thoughts of others
Were light and fleeting,
Of lovers' meeting
Or luck or fame.
Mine were of trouble,
And mine were steady,
So I was ready
When trouble came.
I to my perils
Of cheat and charmer
Came clad in armour
By stars benign.
Hope lies to mortals
And most believe her
But man's deceiver
Was never mine.
The thoughts of others
Were light and fleeting,
Of lovers' meeting
Or luck or fame.
Mine were of trouble,
And mine were steady,
So I was ready
When trouble came.
tharina's review against another edition
4.0
Around the Year in 52 Books 2020: A book with a place name in the title.
fantasyjohncena's review against another edition
4.0
a beautiful collection of poems. i am lucky enough to have an edition with illustrations that emphasize and enhance the gorgeous imagery that housman creates.
favorites: II, V, IX, XV, XXVIII, XXXV, XLII, XLVIII, LIII.
favorites: II, V, IX, XV, XXVIII, XXXV, XLII, XLVIII, LIII.