Customer Reviews

Robert Browning: Poems (Highbridge Classics)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.