A Drama of Exile: and other Poems - Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Advantages: historical insight into Victorian life, particularly as a woman, enjoyable
Disadvantages: quite lengthy at 11,000 lines

...literary tradition is the poem's continual use of women-orientated imagery. Her long narrative poem alludes to female, rather than male types from the Old Testament and even in her description of men she feminises them by referring to female figures from myth as the main source of analogy. For those of you interested in the writer herself, there are some obvious parallels between Barrett-Browning and the central character of Aurora Leigh. Firstly, Barrett-Browning was born in England and was forced to move to Italy and stay in hiding from her father (who did not permit any of his children to marry) as she had secretly married Robert Browning. Aurora Leigh, on the other hand, was born in Italy and was forced to move to England when both her parents left her. Both the writer and the character are highly (and largely self-educated) characters... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Some great poems
Disadvantages: Some very long poems which arent the easiest to understand, particularly if you arent too interested in 19th century literature

...a love. Another good set of partner poems are 'One Way of love' and 'Another Way of love'. When you learn about his life story you realise why his poems are often about love - he fell in love with Elizabeth Barrett, after writing many letters to her. They get married secretly and elope to italy. After 14years together, Elizabeth dies. Unable to live in the place they both called home, he leaves Italy and doesnt return for over 15 years. I'm a succer for romance in case you hadn't guessed!!! This book is not solely about love though, there are some fantastic poems with some riveting historical context, like 'Saul', the biblical tale of the King saved by David's song. Also 'Andrea del Sarto', the tale of the painter and his tempestuous wife. However because of the historical context these poems can take a long time to read as you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A fine poet who ... manages to build the richest of poems from the barest of methods
Disadvantages: May be boring for younger readers.

...attention to other people, in particular, my Gran, old people can often seem "in the way" their old fashioned ways can become annoying, since reading this poem i've started talking to her more.I recently realised i am going to have to purchase a dictaphone to deal with the vast amo9unt of hillarious stories she has to tell... Jennings' work, though consistent in tone, is not repetitious. there's a steady growth in emotional intensity, People are often uneasy about talking about subjects such as guilt, Jennings has a willingness to tackle uncomfortable subjects, each volume contains at least a few poems of startling power. Elizabeth Joan Jennings, poet, born July 18 1926; died October 26 2001 The book can be purchased from amazon for £7 WH smiths from £9.95 - Paperback 220 pages Paperback; List Price: $14.95; Amazon Price: $14.95... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful