Product Description

A collection of 46 poems, including the top ten, which were chosen as favourites in a BBC listeners' poll. They include Kipling's "If", which received the highest number of votes, Wordsworth's "Daffodils", Tennyson's "The Lady of Shallot", and contemporary works such as Wendy Cope's "Bloody Men".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4179 in Books
• Published on: 1998-01-19
• Released on: 1999-10-01
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 2
• Binding: Audio CD

Customer Reviews

Great poems, good voices
I really enjoyed the BBC tv series a few years ago choosing the UK's favourite poems, so I thought I would enjoy this two-CD audio book collection. And I did, for the most part.

Things start off well, with John Nettles' rich voice really showing If off at its best, as if he is a loving father imparting words of wisdom to a son. Indeed, I could have happily listened to him recite the whole collection, or even recite a telephone directory, as his voice is so resonant.

Elsewhere, the two female speakers sound too alike to provide much variety and their voices are too soothing and modern to impart much drama to Victorian Gothic pieces such as The Lady of Shallot. And they seem to have little sympathy with traditional metres, often putting their stresses on the wrong words.

There are also problems with the choice of poems. One of my favourites from the book is Jenny Joseph's Warning but it is absent here, despite being the top-rated piece by a living author. And overall the balance of modern and 19th century work is wrong. There are very few contemporary pieces and I could have done without the whimsy of The Owl and the Pussy Cat.

Overall then, this could have been a five-star collection for me if one or two more modern poems had been included. As it is, it feels just a little disappointing.

Jarring!
It was like this : I think I'll just have a lie down a listen to my new poetry CD. Nice poems, mellow voices and ...diddle - a dee, diddle a dee,
DIDDLE - A -DEE, DEE, DEE!!! What the heck is that electonic racket? The whole experience was ruined by the toy-like, tinny segue music between tracks. I'm going to have to " edit " these out. 'Tis a pity as the poetry is varied, entertaining and well read. I suppose if you planning to stay awake, it'll be O.K. but I'm going to knock off some stars for the unwelcome noise.

John Nettles steals the show
On the strength of John Nettles alone this was worth every penny. Nettles Rudyard Kipling's "If" brings a tear to your eye with his warmth. This also happens to be the first track.
I absolutely agree with previous reviewer, the music inbetween tracks is terrible, I cant beleive the BBC listened to the finished product before release as this would never have been acceptable.
I had prevously purchased the three BBC Nations Favourite books and wanted something to listen to in the car. I would definately look out for more John Nettles in the future as he stands out on this CD.