A review by ayavandenbussche
Don Juan by Susan J. Wolfson, Peter J. Manning, Lord Byron, Truman Guy Steffan

5.0

What a journey is this poem. I don't pretend to know much about poetry, I have read very little of it and have enjoyed most of it (William Blake's Milton was the exception, which I didn't really like). The little poetry I have read has impressed me in one way or another and it is no doubt a unique form of writing. That said, reading Don Juan, my first ever Byron, had knocked me sideways, and many other ways. The poetry reads so flowing and natural. It is both hysterically funny, I laughed out loud, and grim. The craft of this poem is just beautiful. His command of language is inspiring. I admit I had no idea.
I guess I heard so much about Byron and he's become a bit of an icon, which can sometimes be tiresome. And yes he's over dramatic and a bad boy, and emotionally messed up and I'm sure everything has been said about the man, but damn he can write and it's magnificent.
The humour, especially that of the narrator, reminds me of Don Quixote, which makes me love it even more.
I must mention Jonathan Keeble who read the audible version of Don Juan. His voice is excellent and his acting adds so much to this poem. When it comes to poetry, I think I like listening to it being read while I follow with a book. Keeble made this journey exciting and wonderful.