In this anthology, David Owen explores the rich diversity of our poetic heritage, from favourite comic poetry to the poignancy of the war poets.
Seven Ages: An Anthology of Poetry with Music
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In this anthology, David Owen explores the rich diversity of our poetic heritage, from favourite comic poetry to the poignancy of the war poets.
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Bárbara Costa –
Fancy famous british people declaiming fancy famous poems. Gandalf reading Shakespeare is perhaps only surpassed by Poirot's take on a poem about an evil cat. Fancy famous british people declaiming fancy famous poems. Gandalf reading Shakespeare is perhaps only surpassed by Poirot's take on a poem about an evil cat.
sch –
Mar 2021. High hopes, partially fulfilled. The recordings and recitations are of the highest quality. I prefer the first half. * The "Infant" and "Schoolboy" selections are appropriately fun and diverse and lengthy. * The selections for "Lover" are not entirely predictable. * "Soldier" could almost be retitled "Great War Poetry." This glass is half empty, with all the misery of war and none of the glory. Odd thing for such an old country; perhaps this is why the opening poem - the Prologue from Hen Mar 2021. High hopes, partially fulfilled. The recordings and recitations are of the highest quality. I prefer the first half. * The "Infant" and "Schoolboy" selections are appropriately fun and diverse and lengthy. * The selections for "Lover" are not entirely predictable. * "Soldier" could almost be retitled "Great War Poetry." This glass is half empty, with all the misery of war and none of the glory. Odd thing for such an old country; perhaps this is why the opening poem - the Prologue from Henry V - is whispered. * The "Wisdom" section is distressingly Romantic. * Half of "Sixth Age" (six of thirteen poems) is buffoonery, which seems fitting but hardly "poetry for a lifetime." * "Last Scene" is much shorter than the rest and powerful. In terms of eras, the glaring omission from the production is the long 18th century, with appearances only by outliers (Rochester, Blake, Burns). Where are Dryden and Pope and Johnson? They could have balanced out the romanticism of "Wisdom." In terms of human life, the omission is the supernatural; only 'secular' mystics make the cut (Dickinson and Lawrence, in addition to Blake). Still, I would listen to it again.
Victoria Roe (Reading Addict) –
Narration of some true classics by some legends, there were elements that could have been performed a little more dynamically. There was a monosyllabic feel to a lot of the pieces which I feel made said pieces a little underwhelming which is a real shame, some of the pieces I have studied from an educational point of view so there was a nice difference to hear it as it was supposed to be read. Overall enjoyable but could have been better in my opinion.
John –
Excellent readings, and some surprise selections amongst the chestnuts.
Eliza Fitzgerald –
I really prefer listening to poetry to reading it. This was an interesting collection, but not all of the sections would be kid friendly.
Ellen –
Poetry should always be read aloud by Britain’s finest actors. Thanks, audible.com. Seriously.
Crystal Marie –
I really enjoyed this book. My favorite part of the book was the final age (facing death). I especially liked the poem by Christina Rossetti and I always love Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas. The pace is a little fast for my preference because I like to digest one poem before leaping to another one. Otherwise very enjoyable.
Mockingbird –
10 stars if possible. It's WONDERFUL. Get yourself a copy and buy a copy for people you love. Michael Caine's rendition of "The Bleed'n' Sparrer" will have you laughing out loud. I listen to this in the car most days. Best British voices narrating a terrific anthology of poetry spanning the "seven ages" (think of the oft quoted section from Shakespeare's "As You Like It".) 10 stars if possible. It's WONDERFUL. Get yourself a copy and buy a copy for people you love. Michael Caine's rendition of "The Bleed'n' Sparrer" will have you laughing out loud. I listen to this in the car most days. Best British voices narrating a terrific anthology of poetry spanning the "seven ages" (think of the oft quoted section from Shakespeare's "As You Like It".)
Jillian –
This was an incredibly wonderful poetry anthology. Each poem was a pleasure to listen to. I have watched many of these actors for years in various movies, so it was like listening to friends perform these poems. I will definitely listen to this again!
Becky Keeley –
I have the CD, and it is fun to listen to it with all the different great British actors reading specific poems. My friend gave me the anthology in which the CD was based on. The book definitely has far more poems! I look forward to reading the poems and listening to the CD again.
Laura –
Some of the best British voices reading some of the best poetry on the universal theme of times of life. This is wonderful, I recommend it highly, if only to hear Michael Caine recite - and really just say the name Rudyard Kipling.
Sara Ponte –
Good medicine.
Shawna Alpdemir –
Thoroughly enjoyed this collection of poetry. I agree with previous reviews - the performances were fabulous and Michael Caine's reading of "Bleed'n Sparrer" had me grinning widely. Thoroughly enjoyed this collection of poetry. I agree with previous reviews - the performances were fabulous and Michael Caine's reading of "Bleed'n Sparrer" had me grinning widely.
Mark Cerasaro –
Love how the many different voices read these classics.
Heather –
This is an excellent 2-CD set with a wide variety of poetry read by some excellent British voices. I enjoyed it very much.
James Shugart –
Nicole Patrice –
Darren Hardy –
Lori Tian Sailiata –
Carla –
MrsMalone_emmie –
Beth –
Jules Monk –
Coffee.and.boox –
Erika Russell –
Chalen Kelly –
Ben –
Jane Rutherford –
Suo Suo –
Jlarsen0959 –