Poems - T. S. Eliot

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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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: Ground-breaking, complex, brilliant
Disadvantages: Over complex, unnecessary showing off with literary allusions.

...The Waste Land is not an accessible poem. Crammed full of allusions to literary works you may not be familiar with, Eliot predicts this sufficently to off er you notes at the back. But he notes are often as obscure as the orginal refernces, if not more so. One, for example, Eloit quotes in the orginal GReek. Well that helps a lot.Thanks. Complex, brilliant, irritating and inspiring by turn; there is no doubt this poem makes a major contribution to English Literature. Eliot dedicated to Ezra Pound - "il milior fablio" - the better craftsman - because apoparently Pound cut and shaped the work to make the poem we have today. It explores language and themes in a way that broke ground. You have to read it out loud to your self (at least in your head) to getthe best out of it, as the cadences, rhythma and structure sing meaning as much... Read review

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