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greybeard49's review against another edition
5.0
Enjoyed this book. Four of the six poets featured are on my list of favourites (have still to really warm to Hardy and Betjamin) and what made the project special was Bennett’s intelligent and well structured commentary.
A book which I will return to regularly.
A book which I will return to regularly.
katyoctober's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, it’s 6 white English men from the 20th century, but that’s the canon..and I love Hardy, Auden, Larkin SO much. Betjeman does nothing for me. No, more than that. I really dislike his poetry so much. Macniece was a really welcome inclusion and maybe one day I’ll love him as much as I love Larkin.
Alan Bennett’s commentary is just amazing. So unpretentious but so clever. I’ve never read a poetry anthology like this, with the commentary interspersed amongst the poems, and for me it’s the perfect format.
The final poem at the end broke me - but I won’t spoil the surprise.
I’d recommend this whole heartedly to anyone who likes, or wants to like poetry. I’m very exc yes to watch the companion tv show now, too.
Alan Bennett’s commentary is just amazing. So unpretentious but so clever. I’ve never read a poetry anthology like this, with the commentary interspersed amongst the poems, and for me it’s the perfect format.
The final poem at the end broke me - but I won’t spoil the surprise.
I’d recommend this whole heartedly to anyone who likes, or wants to like poetry. I’m very exc yes to watch the companion tv show now, too.
vincentkonrad's review against another edition
5.0
v accessible. some great poems and satisfying commentary.
aliceandthegiantbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I still like Larkin best but enjoyed this informative look at the other 5 too, particularly Hardy. I had not heard of Macneice and very much enjoyed his section.
changeablelandscape's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I've read this twice now -- it's an interesting collection of poems by a handful of male British poets from the early to mid 20th century, with a lot of commentary by Bennett. Some of the poems I love, and some of them don't do much for me, but Bennett's commentary is (for me) always interesting and thought-provoking.
katewhite77's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
A very enjoyable and informative read.
Useful for poetry beginners such as myself and expertly read and contextualised by the legend that is Alan Bennett.
To my shame, it has taken me until now to realise Thomas Hardy was known as a poet as a poet as well as a novelist. I just thought he dabbled a bit.
AE Housman's A Shropshire Lad isn't what the title would first suggest. No spoilers here, but surface to say I am now intrigued to read the collection.
John Betjeman wrote funny poems! I just thought he wrote serious ones. He was also fond of being on TV.
WH Auðen followed love to America and became a naturalised American. I thought he spent his days here.
I learned all about a new to me poet Louis Macniece from Northern Ireland. Well known for being able to see both sides of a story.
I have finally heard more than the first few lines of that well known poem by Philip Larkin concerning parental responsibility. You know the one, and if you don't, I heartily recommend you let Alan Bennett's dulcet tones enlighten you.
Useful for poetry beginners such as myself and expertly read and contextualised by the legend that is Alan Bennett.
To my shame, it has taken me until now to realise Thomas Hardy was known as a poet as a poet as well as a novelist. I just thought he dabbled a bit.
AE Housman's A Shropshire Lad isn't what the title would first suggest. No spoilers here, but surface to say I am now intrigued to read the collection.
John Betjeman wrote funny poems! I just thought he wrote serious ones. He was also fond of being on TV.
WH Auðen followed love to America and became a naturalised American. I thought he spent his days here.
I learned all about a new to me poet Louis Macniece from Northern Ireland. Well known for being able to see both sides of a story.
I have finally heard more than the first few lines of that well known poem by Philip Larkin concerning parental responsibility. You know the one, and if you don't, I heartily recommend you let Alan Bennett's dulcet tones enlighten you.
daveg30's review against another edition
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
bearunderthecypresses's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Studious fans of The History Boys will appreciate the selections made within.
rebeccaolee's review against another edition
5.0
Such a wonderful short anthology with illuminating and thoughtful commentary from the peerless Alan Bennett. Enjoyed his balance of biographical detail and critical analysis for each poet that is accessible and interesting for scholars and casual readers alike.
Only criticism is that he missed out MacNeice's "Snow" and Larkin's "The Whitsun Weddings"! Other than that, a fine selection for all six poets - I really enjoyed revisiting poems studied at university, and encountering new poems too. This was just perfect for my daily commute; what a treasure.
Only criticism is that he missed out MacNeice's "Snow" and Larkin's "The Whitsun Weddings"! Other than that, a fine selection for all six poets - I really enjoyed revisiting poems studied at university, and encountering new poems too. This was just perfect for my daily commute; what a treasure.