The Poets' Corner

The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family

By: John Lithgow

Narrated by: Morgan Freeman, Susan Sarandon, Helen Mirren, Glenn Close, Gary Sinese, John Lithgow

Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

From listening to his grandmother recite epic poems from memory to curling up in bed while his father read funny verses, award-winning actor John Lithgow grew up with poetry. Ever since, John has been an enthusiastic seeker of poetic experience, whether reading, reciting, or listening to great poems.

The wide variety of carefully selected poems in this book provides the perfect introduction to appeal to listeners new to poetry, and for poetry lovers to experience beloved verses in a fresh, vivid way. William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Dylan Thomas are just a few names among Lithgow's comprehensive list of poetry masters. His essential criterion is that "each poem's light shines more brightly when read aloud."

This unique package provides a multimedia poetry experience with a bonus MP3 CD of revelatory poetry readings by John and the familiar voices of such notable performers as Eileen Atkins, Kathy Bates, Glenn Close, Billy Connolly, Jodie Foster, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Lynn Redgrave, Susan Sarandon, Gary Sinise, and Sam Waterston. Every listener will enjoy reciting or listening to these poems with the entire family, appreciating how each one comes to life through the spoken word in this superlative poetry collection.

©2007 The Watershed Company (P)2007 Hachette Audio

Great poetry collection

I would recommend this to anyone, hands down! Spectacular! I loved Mr. Lithgow's way of introducing the background of each poet. It felt so personal and current that each was grounded, real, and less distant even if the poet lived hundreds of years ago .

Poetry is Painting Felt Rather than Seen

“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” Leonardo da Vinci

It was such a pleasure listening to these highly-esteemed actors reading this eclectic collection of poetry, ranging from sparkling to somber, from Auden and Blake to Wordsworth and Yeats.

Each of the 50 chapters provides a short back story on a famed poet, a reading of one, two or three of her/his poems and a brief epilogue.

These poems and poets aroused in me a panoply of emotions and reminded me of the tremendous value of art / poetry to a life worth living.

Excellent

This poetry compilation did not disappoint! I was delighted by hearing some of my old favorites as well as learning about poets and poems with which I wasn’t yet familiar. Lithgow’s voice and analysis were both superb, in my opinion, and the casting of the actors who read each poem was equally well done. I especially enjoy listening to it while cooking and on commutes to and from work when I might get distracted from listening to more the complicated plot lines of novels and need something I can easily start over or rewind. The organization and ability to navigate between his introduction to the selected poem to his analysis is so easy and user friendly. Bottom line: This is absolutely worth buying. I will be listening to this over and over throughout the years and look forward to sharing it with my children, also. I only wish there was another volume or two or three!

Poems were interesting & worth a second listen

I liked several of the poems, but not everything. I liked the effect of having famous people reading the poems, not just John Lithgow. His descriptions before the poems were interesting too as they explain why he choose them in the first place.

I listened to the whole book and put it on a CD so I can listen again while riding in my car. Poetry to drive by.

What I'd rather have

Being rather new to poetry (although 85) this book was a wonderful introduction to that world. Lithgow made each chapter a looked to adventure. My regret being Lithgow did not do all the readings. His readings seemed to be more vibrant and communicative than many of his guests. I strongly recommended the book to my homeschooling daughter as a delightful daily break for her class of three.

An Excellent Anthology

I enjoyed reading this book. It gave exposure to the various types of poetry that would interest a variety of fans. While not all were to my liking, it did give me ideas of what to search out in the future.

Listen to poetry!

What and opportunity! Listen to great actors read amazing poems. Learn about poets you have heard of but know nothing about. Enjoy Lithgow’s gentle humor and deft analysis.

A delightful overview

Well chosen poems excellently presented, with interesting bio info on the poets. Pick this book!

reawakened

reawakened what was waiting like a breeze rattling the leaves of my soul. xx

Engagin and refreshing.

A great collection of poets read and interpreted wonderfully by a great collection of artists. John Lithgow is a superb narrator, offering a professional and personal experience for each poet featured and each poem presented.