Miscellaneous Poems - Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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

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Advantages: a treat for those who love clasical literature
Disadvantages: not for the readers of modern literature

...I find this collection of poems to be a treat for any person's mind. These poems take its reader back in time way back to the 17th century. For a lover of clasical literature, Browing's poems bring true delight to one's heart. In short, this is indeed a precious collection to posses and I cherished every moment of time I spent reading these wonderful set of poems. I would like to add a word of caution for those of you who love contemporary works. Please stay away from this book. This is a collection of long poems written with traditional usage of words. This book contains many of his earlier and later poems, such as 'Johannes Agricola in Meditation,' 'My Last Duchess,' 'Caliban on Setebos,' 'Fra Lippo Lippi' and 'Bishop Blugram's Apology'.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat 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.

...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