Collections: The Poetical Works of Coleridge, Shelley, and Keats - John Keats

Advantages: Poetry of Coleridge, Essay by Hughes
Disadvantages: Only 160 pages

...To the memories of Ted Hughes who died in October 1998 and Samuel Taylor Coleridge who died in July 1834. A Choice of Coleridge’s Verse edited and Introduced by Ted Hughes was published by Faber and Faber on March 18th 1996 and is available from most good book shops for £7.99. There are two reasons why this book is so special, the poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the introductory essay written by Ted Hughes. Hughes entitled his essay, 'The Snake in the Oak'. Ted Hughes held a belief in the presence of an inner force behind Coleridge’s and indeed his own writing, the Poetic Self. In his essay, Hughes refers frequently to Old Norse mythology and the workings of image and symbol. Hughes suggests that Coleridge was fighting a losing battle between a 'Christian Self' and the 'unleavened Self '. Hughes states that it was whilst... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Brings the past to life
Disadvantages: Not all characters given equal treatment

..., after seducing her and promising to love her, abandoned her at the advice of his friends in search of other pleasures. A year later, he formed a close and inseparable relationship with his half sister, Augusta Leigh. To whom he had previously bonded with. Although it was widely rumoured that their relationship was an incestuous one to this day this had not been proven, as all evidence points to the fact that the two were merely exceedingly close. During his lifetime Byron fathered two girls, Augusta Ada (1815) and Allegra (1817). He joined the Greek army in 1823 then a year later died of a violent cold while still defending the Greeks. John Keats (1795-1821) was a quiet and reserved young man. His works include the famous 'Odes' and 'Hyperion' which impressed Percy Shelley so much he formed a friendship with the young man. Although... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Quite fun to read
Disadvantages: Poor writing style, annoying heroine

...NB This book's full title is A Detective at Death's Door - ciao have cut the title short. I have emailed them about it. Introduction H R F Keating is most famous for his books featuring the Indian Inspector Ghote, of which I have read one or two short stories and quite enjoyed. So when I saw this book in my local library, I expected it to be a good read. I should know by now that when I have high expectations, I am likely to be disappointed. This book was easy to read, but was certainly not anywhere near the standard that I was expecting it to be. The author H R F Keating has written over 20 books in the Inspector Ghote series beginning in 1964, but has also written a substantial number of other books, including five featuring Detective Harriet Martens, of which this book is one. Keating was the reviewer for crime fiction... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful