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readthesparrow's review against another edition
3.5
I read all of Endymion. To quote Shelley, "no person should possibly get to the end of it," but I did. However, I admit, he was right and I should not have tried.
I do love Keats, but it's very clear these poems were from someone early in their artistry. It's a tragedy he died so young.
I do love Keats, but it's very clear these poems were from someone early in their artistry. It's a tragedy he died so young.
dajoyofit's review against another edition
3.0
Love them. I've read this over and over again. Went ahead and also purchased it in audiobook.
jameskeates's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good value purchase as you get the complete poems - including unfinished and early stuff from private letters. However, perhaps a selection would have maintained a higher quality and earned a higher rating. A mixed bag therefore: the odes are classics, and his Milton impersonation in the unfinished Hyperion (Paradise Lost, but with fallen Greek Titans not fallen angels) worked a lot better than his cod-Shakespeare history play Otto the Great.
drjagrier's review
3.0
I am a fan of Keats poetry, but I don't think this particular edition is how to best read him. I like the fact that he had poems that worked amazingly and that didn't work at all. It shows a growth and a humanity that I resonate with. But this book does the poet no favors - as it is some of Keats work does not fit well into any kind of context; it can seem disjointed and faded. If you want to make sure you have all his poems in one place, this book will do the job. But if you want someone to guide you through a poetic experience, carefully curated, this is definitely not it. Keats seems to suffer more than most poets for someone just dumping the work out there in a line.
theaurochs's review
2.0
Sorry Johnny mate, I just don't think we operate on the same level.
Not the kind of poetry for me, I have to say. Clearly I am not enough of a romantic!
Most of the poems in this collection can be categorised into one of two types;
-"I saw a beautiful tree/stream/greek urn today; isn't the world full of wonders?"
-"I haven't seen anything beautiful today; the world is cruel and I will never write poetry again, woe is me!"
It is difficult for me to relate to the hyperbole found here, and the poetry itself just doesn't chime either.
Hyperion probably is the highlight for me, but not as far as the poetry has merit; purely the concept and the crazy nonsense ideas.
Sorry Dan Simmons, I tried.
Not the kind of poetry for me, I have to say. Clearly I am not enough of a romantic!
Most of the poems in this collection can be categorised into one of two types;
-"I saw a beautiful tree/stream/greek urn today; isn't the world full of wonders?"
-"I haven't seen anything beautiful today; the world is cruel and I will never write poetry again, woe is me!"
It is difficult for me to relate to the hyperbole found here, and the poetry itself just doesn't chime either.
Hyperion probably is the highlight for me, but not as far as the poetry has merit; purely the concept and the crazy nonsense ideas.
Sorry Dan Simmons, I tried.
julixus's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.75
this was for specifically "an ode to a nightingale"