Product Description

Read by Richard Burton in a manner that truly does justice to the virtuosity to the love poems of England's most outstanding Metaphysical poet, bending both meaning and sound to the service of the Metaphysical conceit. Donne's poetry embraces a wide range of secular and religious subjects. He wrote cynical verse about inconstancy, poems about true love, Neoplatonic lyrics on the mystical union of lovers' souls and bodies and brilliant satires and hymns depicting his own spiritual struggles. Whatever the subject, Donne's poems reveal the same characteristics that typified the work of the metaphysical poets: dazzling wordplay, often explicitly sexual; paradox; subtle argumentation; surprising contrasts; intricate psychological analysis; and striking imagery selected from nontraditional areas such as law, physiology, scholastic philosophy, and mathematics. Expertly recited by Richard Burton, John Donne's love poetry stands alone as one of England's greatest ever love poets.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #52901 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-21
• Released on: 2007-01-01
• Formats: Audiobook, CD
• Original language: English
• Binding: Audio CD

About the Author
John Donne was born in London in 1572 to a prominent Roman Catholic family, but converted the Anglicanism during the 1590s. After entering the University of Oxford aged 11 and the University of Cambridge at aged 14, during which time he took no degree examinations, he became a priest of the Anglican Church, attaining eminence as a preacher, delivering sermons that are regarded as the most brilliant and eloquent of his time. His poetry embraces both secular and religious subjects, and has earned him the distinction of one of Britain's most famous poets of all time and the quintessential Metaphysical poet of English literature.

Customer Reviews

Donne's depth and passion
This lovely volume beautifully designed on creamy white paper brings to the reader the love poems of John Donne (1572-1631). A comprehensive and sympathetic introduction by the editor Charles Fowkes accompanies it. Mr. Fowkes sets out to explain the background of Donne's poetry and the influence thereof on his own life. But anyone who intends to read Donne should be well prepared. Although his use of language is colloquial, it's riddled with allusions. Donne certainly had a vivid and intense imagination. Further I think that familiarity with authors from the sixteenth or seventeenth centuries would be an asset.

Expect no cozy love poetry here. Donne's attitude is defiant and aggressive. He certainly knew all of the stages and emotions of love ranging from rapture to deep despair. The young Donne's disrespect for women and his intense sexuality might perhaps put some readers off. Though the courtship and marriage to Anne More (in 1601) would bring a change. In terms of class Anne was by far Donne's superior, and her father forbade the marriage. Yet Donne had deeply fallen in love, and put his career on the line to marry Anne secretly. It cut him down in arrogance. Anne died in 1617, worn out by her yearly pregnancies (Donne had quite an appetite).

The reader can track the courtship and marriage of Anne and John Donne throughout the poems. But often Donne will address an imaginary lady. As Mr. Fowkes indicates the background of his poetry is difficult to pinpoint. And add to this the fact which we should also not forget, that Donne was a Catholic who converted to the Anglican Church and felt guilty about it.

A complicated man harbouring many selves and souls. Even though I may not agree with Donne's aggressive ways in several poems, he expresses himself with such an intensity and passion (that I cannot avoid him), which makes up for some of the most compelling and brilliant poetry ever written in the English language.

"Of thee one hour"
To quote John Donne: "I'd rather owner be of thee one hour, than all else ever" -- Burton doesn't give us quite an hour, but 37 minutes of the great Welsh actor reading John Donne is not a bad alternative. Burton doesn't just read the poems, he virtually acts them out. His voice is biting on the bitter rant of 'The Curse', alternates between contemptuous and tender on 'The Comparison' and adapts itself to the mood of each poem.

If you love John Donne's poetry, this is a must-have: Burton illuminates the words with the richness of his voice, his obvious understanding of and feel for what he is reading. If you have never come across the poet, this is a fine introduction.

Great poetry read by one of the greatest voices ever recorded --do yourself a favour and buy this!

The perfect introduction to Donne!
If - like me! - English is not your mother tongue, the works of John Donne can be difficult. It is old English and there's no escape from that but you'll never regret the effort to understand it. Donne has written some of the most beautiful lines in the English language, musical and full of images. I don't usually buy cassettes but I've discovered with this edition how that can be a mistake! Richard Burton reads these poems as if they were written by himself, opening new meanings and easing the gap between XVII century English and ourselves. I strongly recommend it! (And if English is your mother tongue you're half the way already - you'll love Donne!)