Selected Poetry (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

John Keats (Author), Elizabeth Cook (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Oxford World's Classics | Publication Date: May 6, 1999

This is an entirely new selection of Keats's finest poetry containing all his best known work as well as a sample of less familiar pieces. Keats published three volumes of poetry before his death at age twenty-five of tuberculosis and, while many of his contemporaries were prompt to recognize his greatness, snobbery and political hostility led the Tory press to vilify and patronize him as a "Cockney poet." Financial anxieties and the loss of those he loved most had tried him persistently, yet he dismissed the concept of life as a vale of tears and substituted the concept of a "vale of Soul-making." His poetry and his remarkable letters reveal a spirit of questing vitality and profound understanding and his final volume, which contains the great odes and the unfinished Hyperion, attests to an astonishing maturity of power.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I like the price, and I'm sure students would, too. The glossary of classical names is a great idea."--R. Parks Lanier, Jr., Radford University

About the Author

Elizabeth Cook is a freelance writer. She is the author of Seeing through Words and has recently edited Ben Johnson's The Alchemist.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (May 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192834932
• ISBN-13: 978-0192834935
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,027,976 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A thing of beauty is a joy forever", June 1, 2007

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William Timothy Lukeman - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Keats, The Selected Poetry of (Paperback)

There are many collections of Keats' poetry, of course, but this is the one that introduced me to his radiant work. From early poems such as the naive but sustained dream of "Endymion," to the luxuriant & sensual "Eve of Saint Agnes," to the great odes & his unfinished "Hyperion," the astonishing range of this tragically short-lived poet is presented with short but useful annotations. It's still difficult to believe that such a young man could create so much lapidary beauty in such a short time! In addition to all the major poems, there's a small selection of his letters, which are even more emotionally intense & raw than his poems. The introduction by editor Paul de Man gives an astute & perceptive overview of Keat's work.

Of all the Romantic poets, Keats seems to exemplify their aspirations & vision most beautifully. Even his apprentice work is already rich, detailed, melodic & flowing -- so much so that it's easy to overlook its very real philosophical underpinnings. But there's substance beneath the visually stunning style, a sense of the tragic dimension of life, and a constant grappling with transcendental questions. In a contemporary world that celebrates the crass & the lowest common denominator, we realize that beauty is revolutionary, never more needed than now. And there is no better place to find it than in the poetry of John Keats. If you have any sensitivity & longing for life-transforming art, his work is indispensible!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars John Keates Selected Poetry, January 18, 2007

By 

Tamyra Williams "Teacher Reader" (Kamas, Ut USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Selected Poetry (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

A classic collection of John Keates' poetry. Contains all of his best poems and many more. A wonderful reading experience.