The Song of Hiawatha

By: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Narrated by: William Hootkins

Longfellow's great narrative poem has been unjustly neglected in recent years though it gives a sympathetic portrait especially of Hiawatha, reared by Nokomis, daughter of the Moon, and his bride Minehaha.

It is famously underpinned by its hypnotic rhythm, which makes it ideal listening.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2005 Naxos AudioBooks

Beautiful

Both the story and the narration are wonderful. Obviously this is a 19th century European American view of Native American stories. And it is very beautiful, and expresses deep sympathies and feelings. The sense of nature and the passing of the native people as they were is just as and even more poignant today.

Listening to this poem is a very good way to appreciate it. At 3+ hours it is short enough to listen in a unified way that adds to its impact.

Masterful Narration

Hootkins delivered this classic masterfully! He had an entrancing voice and will be missed. He also narrated one of the Moby Dick audiobooks available on this platform. I’d recommend giving it a listen.

This book is exquisite as is its narration

I'm not a Native American scholar and could care less about the accuracy or historicity of the contents of this epic poem. I do not come to it seeking historical accuracy and do not know how close it ever comes to it. What I do know is that this work lends an air of dignity, refinement, and gravitas to the Native American traditions that historically have only been afforded to the classical cultures of the ancient Mediterranean. Yet it does so with a spirit of respect and humility in the face of a deep and ancient civilization. The Song of Hiawatha, in a word, is exquisite, as is its performance in this edition.

Longfellow's poetry is sublime. William Hootkins' reading of it is immaculate, enthralling, and rapturous. He keeps to and makes evident the meter, without being slavish or pedantic. For days I found my thoughts wandering into trochaic tetrameter because of the natural way that Longfellow's verse is performed by Hootkins.

This book is a must listen for audiobook lovers, for anyone interested in the cultural heritage of America, or anyone who wants to gain an appreciation of poetry in the English language.

Outstanding Reading

This has always been one of my favorite works. The audiobook is an absolutely wonderful listening experience. If you're a Longfellow fan, don't hesitate to buy this!

Reminds what imagination is for

We all imagine stuff all the time, but after childhood kind of forget just how wild imaginations should be free to run. The stories seemed much more surreal and dreamlike than even fairy tales, maybe because they derive from such a different time and culture. If you're a fan of Lake Superior and the Michigan UP, this would be top notch playlist material in a tent by the Pictured Rocks. I've unfairly taken one star off the storyline in protest of the end when the white men come in their oversized canoes and wreck all the magic.