The Great Poets: William McGonagall Audiobook By William Topaz McGonagall cover art

The Great Poets: William McGonagall

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The Great Poets: William McGonagall

By: William Topaz McGonagall
Narrated by: Gregor Fisher
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The idiosyncratic Scottish poet William Topaz McGonagall has the unusual reputation as one of the worst poets in the English language with rhymes and rhythms that produce mirth rather than wonder. His masterpiece is "The Tay Bridge Disaster".

Scottish-born Gregor Fisher, who starred in Love Actually and other film and TV programs, reads the key poems and passages from the autobiography - and gets deep into character!

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2009 Naxos Audiobooks (P)2009 Naxos Audiobooks European Poetry World Literature

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Editorial reviews

Scottish poet William McGonagall has become the butt of jokes, with his painful rhymes about battles, shipwrecks, and Scotland's scenery. Here the acclaimed actor Gregor Fisher adopts a pronounced brogue to bring McGonagall's poems to life, with amusing results. Fisher also reads illuminating passages from McGonagall's autobiography, which discuss his attempts at playing Shakespeare, the ideas behind his poems, and anecdotes from his travels and adventures. Those interested in Scottish poetry and history will find this a revealing listen.

Critic reviews

"Naxos Audio has not only provided a highly entertaining hour's diversion but has confirmed something that every teacher of English has always known: poetry - good, bad, or indifferent - can be appreciated most when read aloud. Gregor Fisher [gives] an intelligent performance." (SoundComentary.com)
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