Burnt Norton - T. S. Eliot

Advantages: Not your average sickly-sweet Victorian novel. Has passion!
Disadvantages: Long!

...In Middlemarch, George Eliot represents herself as writing a novel about a close semi-rural community, but in fact transcends this framework to concentrate on social and political questions that eventually propel her forward as one of the great dialectical writers of the Victorian era. Eliot's excitement and interest fails to be ignited by the gossip and politics of rural life, and her amused contempt, vacillating from the cynical to the scathing when describing the locals of Middlemarch points to the fact that Eliot requires intellectuals to act as the protagonists in her epic in order that her writing does not entirely descend into irony and condescension. Therefore, since Eliot seems not to be writing about the society of Middlemarch itself, the novel coheres, on the theme of marriage, and it is here that the disparate points... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent to study, brilliant to read
Disadvantages: Snobbery, too many allusions?

...I have to admit, I LOVE T.S. Eliot. He manages to create something magical with words, taking something very ordinary and twisting it in such a way that is perplexing and charming. The Waste Land is a bit of a mammoth of a poem, but takes you on a journey through despondency, hope and suffering, and is a must-read, taking up the Holy Grail Legend in a new light. His characters throughout are often depressed souls, whose lives have little purpose, and he tries to show you how spirituality can be your salvation from average, routine, mundane life. At times, however, Eliot loses us with his allusions to texts from all walks of history and cultures, which take some time to pick through; a result of his thorough education and snobbery.... Read review

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Advantages: Essential Eliot poems, collected into one volume
Disadvantages: If you don't like Eliot, you'll hate this

...I bought this book because it includes The Waste Land and The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock, two of my favourite Eliot poems. I would say that if you like Eliot's more experimental poetry, this is a must. If, however, you are a diehard fan of Old Possum's, you might want to steer clear of this. Some find these particular poems quite pretentious, due to their length and language. I would agree with this in part, but I also think that anyone who reads these poems will come away with something different from them. The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock should be read by everyone, particularly students of English, or just anyone interested in poetry. It was a groundbreaking poem at the time, thanks to its mostly free verse structure, and its satirical tone. All in all, I would recommend this book for readers who appreciate Eliot already... Read review

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