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sfletcher26's review against another edition
1.0
Well what can I say about this collection of poems? Other than reading this is half a day of my life I'm never getting back, not much.
Being dyslexic has meant that I've always had to work hard to try to understand poetry, the rhyme, rhythm and meter is often difficult for me to fully grasp. It's meant that poetry has always been my least favourite literary form. That said I've always tried to read at least one book of poetry a year as I've always felt that whilst I may not always get it I should at least try.
So when I saw this in Waterstones I thought I would give it a go. I was aware of McGough (who isn't) but didn't really know of either Henri or Patten so this was a walk into the unknown for me.
Boy do I wish I'd left this on the bookshelf. I really don't see how this collection ever became "one of the best selling poetry anthologies of all time". Most of the poetry is infantile and reminiscent of what a 15 year old might have written.
To say that everything here is bad though would be unfair as there are some enjoyable and thought provoking poems (particularly Henri's Me and Tonight at Noon and Mcgough's A Square Dance) but there are far too few of them to really make this anything more than a grind to read.
Will I give poetry another go? Possibly, but not for a while after this.
Being dyslexic has meant that I've always had to work hard to try to understand poetry, the rhyme, rhythm and meter is often difficult for me to fully grasp. It's meant that poetry has always been my least favourite literary form. That said I've always tried to read at least one book of poetry a year as I've always felt that whilst I may not always get it I should at least try.
So when I saw this in Waterstones I thought I would give it a go. I was aware of McGough (who isn't) but didn't really know of either Henri or Patten so this was a walk into the unknown for me.
Boy do I wish I'd left this on the bookshelf. I really don't see how this collection ever became "one of the best selling poetry anthologies of all time". Most of the poetry is infantile and reminiscent of what a 15 year old might have written.
To say that everything here is bad though would be unfair as there are some enjoyable and thought provoking poems (particularly Henri's Me and Tonight at Noon and Mcgough's A Square Dance) but there are far too few of them to really make this anything more than a grind to read.
Will I give poetry another go? Possibly, but not for a while after this.
samdalefox's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
I've given comments on each of the individual poets and my favourite poems of theirs (in this collection) below. Overall, I must admit that this classic anthology didn't capture my interest at all, despite having personal connections to Liverpool. Upon research I discovered that the Liverpool Poets' aim was to make poetry more culturally accessible and relevant. In that respect I think they were successful. The poetry is unpretentious and undeniably more relatable to the average 60's Scouser. But therein lies its problem too. Whereas some poetry, no matter when it's written, can feel timeless, all three of these poets feel very much of their time. The free wheeling verses and references are undeniably and specifically of the 60s and feel dated. Themes of sexual freedom (plus outdated language implying homophobia, sexism and racism), superheros, Pop culture e.g. The Beatles, youth, urbanness, and even Woolworths (I'm only 28 and Woolies closed down in my childhood). Reading in 2022, it felt like a very superficial painting of that era and even made Liverpool feel two dimensional which I was disappointed with.
Adrian Henri
Um, he mentions young girls and school girls an awful lot. It was jarring, in a bad way. (Not the creepiest example by far, but the clearest example of this theme/fixation on youth and young girls is in 'Mrs Albion you've got a lovely daughter' I'm imagining inspired by William Blake's 'Visions of the Daughters of Albion'. I just get creepy vibes from him and it took me right out of the poem. I only appreciated the urban references, e.g. 'plastic daffodils', vs 'lily of the valley'. I don't understand what makes him so celebrated tbh. 'Favorites', or least bad poems are:
- Love Poem/Colour Supplement
- Country song
- The blazing hat, Part II
- Pictures from an exhibition
- Where'er you walk
- The new 'Our Times'
Roger McGough
He uses the word woman instead of girl, thank God. Big focus of sex, but in a better, tiny more grown up, way than Henri. Uses surrealism more cleverly imo. 'Favourites':
- come close and sleep now
- the fallen birdman
- at lunchtime a story of love
- why patriots are a bit nuts in the head
- sad aunt madge
- goodbat nightman (actually liked this one)
- what you are
- vinegar
- M.66
- dreampoem
- mother the wardrobe is full of infantry men
Brian patten
His work is notably darker than the other two. Still had sex in it. Not quite as surrealist, focused on real experiences. He's also the only one who clearly attempted to tackle some political issues (White Smethwick).
- party piece
- a green sportscar
- after breakfast
- seascape
- somewhere between heaven and woolworths, a song
- I'm dreaming of a white Smethwick
- maud, 1965
- room
- schoolboy - quotable bits
- delicate John
- a talk with a wood
- in a new kind of dawn
- the beast
Adrian Henri
Um, he mentions young girls and school girls an awful lot. It was jarring, in a bad way. (Not the creepiest example by far, but the clearest example of this theme/fixation on youth and young girls is in 'Mrs Albion you've got a lovely daughter' I'm imagining inspired by William Blake's 'Visions of the Daughters of Albion'. I just get creepy vibes from him and it took me right out of the poem. I only appreciated the urban references, e.g. 'plastic daffodils', vs 'lily of the valley'. I don't understand what makes him so celebrated tbh. 'Favorites', or least bad poems are:
- Love Poem/Colour Supplement
- Country song
- The blazing hat, Part II
- Pictures from an exhibition
- Where'er you walk
- The new 'Our Times'
Roger McGough
He uses the word woman instead of girl, thank God. Big focus of sex, but in a better, tiny more grown up, way than Henri. Uses surrealism more cleverly imo. 'Favourites':
- come close and sleep now
- the fallen birdman
- at lunchtime a story of love
- why patriots are a bit nuts in the head
- sad aunt madge
- goodbat nightman (actually liked this one)
- what you are
- vinegar
- M.66
- dreampoem
- mother the wardrobe is full of infantry men
Brian patten
His work is notably darker than the other two. Still had sex in it. Not quite as surrealist, focused on real experiences. He's also the only one who clearly attempted to tackle some political issues (White Smethwick).
- party piece
- a green sportscar
- after breakfast
- seascape
- somewhere between heaven and woolworths, a song
- I'm dreaming of a white Smethwick
- maud, 1965
- room
- schoolboy - quotable bits
- delicate John
- a talk with a wood
- in a new kind of dawn
- the beast
rosyjones's review against another edition
4.0
Adored Adrian Henri and obviously Roger McGough but didn't really feel any of Brain Patten's work. Great collection!
evangelinereading's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
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