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

Wonderful primer

What a wonderful audio book. Some great poems, great narration and additional comments by Mr. Lithgow, and wonderful selection. It is great to listen to while driving, and being able to quote some poetry now and then is always a plus. (Even my three year old knows some of "To a mouse", and loves it)

Definitely Worth Purchasing!!

It is an excellent overview of a number of canonical poets, with enjoyable performances by major actors, highlighted by John Lithgow's brief but substantive introductions and analyses.

Way to Go Lithgow

Phenomenal summaries of poets, poetic readings, and overall listen. Loved guest readings by Morgan Freeman. Made it that much better.

Very good

Any additional comments?

Excellent and relevant mini-bios of the poets but also some explication of the poems. This is probably helpful to some people but I am a poet and don't like others interpreting poems for me. Still, a very good compilation. It's just, for me, I listen to poetry like I listen to music and don't want the interruption of bios in between.

THE book on poetry

If you only read one poetry book, choose this one. You’ll miss out on a great deal of other poets, but this will introduce you to the “greats” in a simple, beautiful, real way.

Another reason to I love John Lithgow even more.

Would you listen to The Poets' Corner again? Why?

Yes, over and over, and over and over, the study and contemplation of each poem is a grand and important way to spend an hour, or a day, or a life time. Listen to them. Read them. Speak them.

Who was your favorite character and why?

John Lithgow - he is the object of a powerful man-crush that I have for him that started when I first saw him in the film "Buck-a-roo Banzai" and my marvel at his skill and talent has grown ever since. I like every thing I've seen him perform. I love each "acted, read, spoken, emoted" word that leaves his wise and wonderful mouth - he is a national treasure to American theater, and to all literature.

Which scene was your favorite?

Any and all utterances words and general noises of any kind that involved the spoken words of John Lithgow.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

My favorite poet? Hard. However, it was Edgar Allan Poe who emerged blood-red out of a book and changed my whole world forever! Winding time to Blackest-Midnight at his sorcerous writings and altered forever my understanding of the power of words when I was a young boy of 8 or 9 I think. So, Mister Poe's work always moves me deeply, shivers me cold as a tomb... & rattles my bones till the day they dance apart and fall to the floor dead.

Any additional comments?

This should be mandatory listening for every girl & boy as soon as they are old enough to hold still and appreciate the magic experience of listening to a good story teller, or poet perform the ultimate form of communication.

A Work of Art of Poetry

The compiling of this wonderful selection of Poetry along with the brief history of its respective authors is a thoughtful gift, or perhaps a kind and caring invitation to experience the value and meaningfulness of life through artful expression in beautiful poetry. If as I, you are already a fan of John Lithgow, you'll appreciate this even more as a special gift from him and his friends, to you. I sincerely hope this was the appetizer as this first bite is especially delicious!

Lovely review or good introduction to the new

A wonderful selection of poets and poems leaving the listener with suggestions of other poems by the same author to follow up on. Sometimes lots of comments and some analysis. Makes a good listen!

Inspiring presentation of classic poetry

Lithgow’s heart-felt, often personal, treatment and commentary on this collection of classic poetry is inspiring and delightful.

excellent

Loved it. Superb poems, interesting background biographical info, expert analysis and performances. Lithgows passion for poetry really shines through in this audiobook. His depth of knowledge on different poets and his analysis of their work is thoroughly entertaining.