Robert Browning: Poems (Highbridge Classics) [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Robert Browning (Author)

Book Description

Series: Highbridge Classics | Publication Date: August 1, 1999

The vitality and accessibility of Browning's poetry have given it lasting appeal. Many of his finest poems are the intensely dramatic monologues, such as "Andrea del Sarto" or "My Last Duchess," in which the poet's imaginative power is at its height.

This splendid collection features selections from Browning's entire career, through the poet's literary successes and critical disappointments. Includes "Paracelsus," "Home—Thoughts from Abroad," Sordello," "Christmas-Eve" and selections from "The Ring and the Book."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

ROBERT BROWNING was born in 1812 in London and began writing poetry when he was twenty-one. His career suffered for many years and was revived largely by the publication of his great masterpiece "The Ring and the Book." In 1846 he eloped to Italy with Elizabeth Barrett. After her death in 1861, Browning returned to England. Awarded an honorary degree by Oxford University and an honorary fellowship of Balliol College, Oxford, Browning died in 1889.

From AudioFile

Sian Thomas narrates the biographical and contextual commentary preceding each of the poems and dramatic monologues included in this anthology. The poetry is read by an ensemble of distinguished artists including Douglas Hodge, David Horovitch, Derek Jacobi, Jeremy Northam, Diana Quick, and Prunella Scales. Brief musical segues allow for a natural shift between poetry and narration. The set includes a list of the contents on each disc, but it does not identify which reader is reading which piece. Browning's successes and failures; his romanticism; his feelings on life, love, religion, and politics are chronicled through poetry, verse play, and dramatic monologue, all made even more accessible to listeners by the stellar performances of the impressive cast. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Highbridge Audio; Unabridged and abridged poems edition (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565113179
• ISBN-13: 978-1565113176
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,665,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Underappreciated Approach to Poetry, May 9, 2000

By 

"dedalus423" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Robert Browning: Poems (Highbridge Classics) (Audio Cassette)

One of the best ways of internalizing a poem is to *hear* it, and this is especially true of classics. This audio presentation of selected poems by Browning is a great way for those familiar with his work to rediscover the poems' daring and mischievousness. The audio format is particularly apt for Browning in that it brings to life his use of dramatic monlogue. In that way, it can also serve as a good study aid for students who are new to Browning.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nicely done, December 17, 2000

By 

J Gites (Cambridge MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Robert Browning: Poems (Highbridge Classics) (Audio Cassette)

As with other titles in this fine series, the poems are presented in roughly chronological order, and are interspersed with a running narrative of the poet's life. Vivid readings are delivered by actors and actresses.

Browning is an excellent lyric poet (e.g. Meeting at Night/Parting at Daylight) but he was best known for his dramatic monologues. The recording emphasizes the monologues, which is good because I doubt I would have ever read them otherwise. The downside is that some of the monologues, especially those Browning wrote later in his career, seem to drag on, with the general idea of a "befuddled narrator attempting to sweet-talk a highly skeptical lover/policeman/critic" (hence 4 stars instead of 5). I expect I'll be listening mostly to the first of the two tapes. Incidentally "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" children's verse is included and is well done.

Most of the earlier poems appear in the Dover thrift edition of Browning's work (for a buck!). I find it easier to concentrate when I can read the poems while listening.