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

A great introduction

Poetry is unknown territory for me, and this was a wonderful listen. John Lithgow is enthusiastic and informative, and the readings are very good. No issues with the selections, and was glad there was no heavy analysis.

Excellent introduction to poetry

Would you consider the audio edition of The Poets' Corner to be better than the print version?

I have long been a fan of good poetry but knew little or nothing of the art behind the words. This was a fantastic introduction for me to the world of poetry, the history and great names in the area - as well as providing me with a lot of very good poems to think over and work through my mind. Liked it a lot.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it is something I have returned to several times and still working my way through parts of it.

A Wonderful Selection of Poems Read and Discussed

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. John Lithgow selected and talks to us about a wide and lovely array of English Language Poems. Each poem is read by an actor. Some are silly, others heartbreaking, some angry, a few ecstatic and many longing. If you want to get involved with poetry or reintroduce yourself and/or another adult or older child this is an excellent vehicle to get you started. Recommend getting both this audiobook and the Kindle or printed version to read along.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Each poem is read by a different actor. In each section Lithgow ties in his own experiences with that particular poem in addition to giving a a short but well researched discussion concerning the poet and his/her poetry.

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

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson.

Just right

Loved this collection. Beautifully arranged and thoughtfully presented. A sweet selection, worthwhile in every way. Not too much introduction but enough for interest.

I'll return again and again.

If you have ever enjoyed poetry ...

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

You will enjoy this. I listened all the way through and then started over again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite "character" is John Lithgow. His intelligence and humor suffuse the collection.

Any additional comments?

I loved this audiobook. John Lithgow is erudite and funny. The collection is not comprehensive. How could it be? It's Lithgow's personal favorites, arranged in alphabetical order by poet's last name. No theme. No survey of development. Just lovely poems, one after another, with Lithgow's commentary in between.

My favorite poetry book ever

My absolute favorite poetry book. Nothing as overacted everything is done perfectly and the synopses given are succinct and eloquent. I'm not even sure how many times I've listened to this book.

Love the poems, wish I could skip the narration

I wish the poems were separated by chapters from the narrative and from each other and labeled. It's a frustrating way to try to listen to poems regularly, though I do like the information he provides. I'd also like to see the chapters give the names of the poem so you can find what you are looking for. Still, there's not that many good readings of a variety of good poems so I do like that.

wonderful!

I'm already a poetry fan but being able to hear these works read aloud by such beautiful voices elevates them. This is a lovely collection of mostly well-known poems with lots of interesting tidbits. If you are curious about poems, don't necessarily know what to listen to, try this book out.

What a treat!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Poets' Corner to be better than the print version?

I do not have a print version of The Poet's Corner.

What other book might you compare The Poets' Corner to and why?

The closest things I can think of are "She walks in beauty" and another anthology that grouped poems thematically by the seven ages of man (as per the Bard). But I liked this one better because it was personal

Which scene was your favorite?

Can't point out any single one... it depends completely on my mood or state of mind

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

The reading of and commentary around Dylan Thomas' "Do not go gently."

Any additional comments?

Most of the questions asked here are not really fitting for the type of book this one is... It is not a story but an anthology of poetry, selected and commented upon by John Lithgow. I really liked both the information he offered about each poet and his insights into both specific poems and bodies of work on the whole.

Fantastic

I loved the history and background. One of the best narrations I've heard for poetry.