Dylan Thomas CD: The Caedmon Collection [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Dylan Thomas (Author), Thomas Dylan (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2002

On February 22, 1952, Dylan Thomas made his first recording for Caedmon Records, A Child's Christmas in Wales and Five Poems. It was the first of many albums Thomas was to record for Caedmon. This recording launched not only Caedmon, but the spoken-word industry as well.

Here, at long last, in celebration of 50 years of spoken-word publishing, Caedmon presents Dylan Thomas: The Caedmon Collection.

This collection includes Thomas' poetry: "Fern Hill" and "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night," his prose: Adventures in the Skin Trade and Quite Early One Morning, and his final work -- Under Milk Wood, a play. The recording of Under Milk Wood included here is the only one in existence with Dylan Thomas in the cast. It owes its remarkable existence to the serendipitous placement of a microphone at center stage minutes before the curtain was raised.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea, Wales on 27 October 1914. In 1934 his first book of poetry, Eighteen Poems appeared, followed by Twenty-five Poems in 1936, Deaths and Entrances in 1946 and in 1952 his final volume, Collected Poems. He also published many short stories, wrote filmscripts, broadcast stories and talks, did a series of lecture tours in the United States and wrote Under Milkwood, the radio play.

During his fourth lecture tour of the United States in 1953, a few days after his 39th birthday, he collapsed in his New York hotel and died on November 9th at St. Vincent's Hospital. His body was sent back to Laugharne, Wales, where his grave is marked by a simple wooden cross.

In June 1994, his wife, Caitlin Thomas, died in Italy, where she had spent most of the years of her life after the death of Dylan Thomas. Her body is buried next to his.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: HarperAudio; Unabridged edition (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0694526592
• ISBN-13: 978-0694526598
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5.5 x 2.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,033,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tremendous Bargain for Thomas' Great Voice, January 6, 2006

By 

Kevin J. Roberts - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dylan Thomas: The Caedmon Collection (Audio CD)

The reviewer who called this a bad value is completely wrong. This set includes the COMPLETE Caedmon recordings of Thomas' incredible voice. Though a few of these original LP's were fairly common (Child's Christmas in Wales), many of the LPs were rare. People were bidding $50-$100 and up for some of these single LPs only recently. Here you have MANY CDs for the price of one! It would be nice to have an extensive book with this set, but you can always buy Dylan's books seperately. The set includes mini-LP cover sleeves for all of Thomas' original LP covers (though thin paper sleeves), another nice touch. Don't let this one get away. When it is out-of-print, it will probably go for $200-$300 and up!

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoy being read to, May 17, 2005

By 

C. Roger (Minneapolis MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dylan Thomas (Audio Cassette)

I enjoy sitting and listening to Dylan Thomas read to me; such a rich and wonderful voice. And contrary to what another reviewer has written, Under Milkwood is complete. While the liner notes do say 'From' Under Milkwood, the play is complete.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Under Milk Wood is infact complete here..., July 11, 2005

By 

S. Hebbron "S B H." (Leicester UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dylan Thomas CD: The Caedmon Collection (Audio CD)

...as are Thomas's other works. Thomas was a skilled and lyrical writer and captures much of the musicality of Welsh speaking people in his works. While he is interesting to read it can be a trail for those not familair with Welsh culture, particularly now as the Welsh culture he speaks of is pretty much dead and gone. His musical poetic skills are brought beautifully to life when he reads to you and this is the only way to "do" Under Milk Wood, written as a play for radio but essentially an elongated poem of early 20th century Welsh life as Thomas himself knew it. Contrary to some beliefs expressed in reviewing this item, the play is complete, all the complex and strange villagers are present as are their stories.
What Thomas does best is to guide your imagination into his world and this set allows you to experience his work in the best way read by the man himself.