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The Poems of T. S. Eliot cover art

The Poems of T. S. Eliot

By: T. S. Eliot
Narrated by: Jeremy Irons, Dame Eileen Atkins
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Summary

Originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4, Jeremy Irons' perceptive reading illuminates the poetry of T. S. Eliot in all its complexity. Major poems range from 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' through the post-war desolation of 'The Waste Land' and the spiritual struggle of 'Ash-Wednesday', to the enduring charm of 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats'. 

The Spectator praised Jeremy Irons' interpretation as 'so accessible, reading Eliot as if finding his words for the first time, grappling with them, relishing them, using them to express feelings that we all share as we struggle to accept, to recognise or relinquish'. Dame Eileen Atkins also appears alongside Jeremy Irons in the reading of 'The Waste Land'. 

UPDATED EDITION WITH POEM TITLES FOR EASY NAVIGATION.

©2015 BBC (P)2016 BBC

Critic reviews

"For such a major poet, Eliot left a fairly sparse body of work, and all his mature poems are here. And while many consider him to be a fairly austere modernist, these readings by Jeremy Irons bring out the human passion (and sometimes the intellectual passion) that lurks in the poems.... His versions are simply more human, as beautifully crafted as the poems themselves." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about The Poems of T. S. Eliot

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Just perfect

If you have never thought of poetry before, please try this. Jeremy Irons is a beautiful voice. Unfortunately you cannot choose an individual poem, but that doesn't really matter. I never get bored, and I'm still waiting for Little Gidding...

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Wonderful narrator

Jeremy Irons has such an amazing voice , it’s the first time in a long time I’ve been sad that I got to the end of the book . I just wanted it to go on forever !

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1 person found this helpful

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What a superb performance!

T.S. Elliot poetry comes to live thanks to the voice of Jeremy Irons and his masterful way of reading.

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A singular experience

T. S. Eliot needs no introduction. Nor do his poems need a recommendation. As for Jeremy Irons' performance, it is both commanding, whimsical and captivating. A truly singular experience all around.

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One Of The Greatest Recordings Of A Great Poet

Jeremy Irons understands the music in Eliot's poetry like no other reader I have heard, Including the poet himself. This is an outstanding recording and I recommend it enthusiastically.

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15 people found this helpful

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Fantastic... :-)

In my view this is one of the best audiobooks I have ever enjoyed. Jeremy Irons reading T. S. Eliot is really as good as it gets. Highly recommended.

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8 people found this helpful

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Perfection.

The poetry speaks for itself of course, but if you must give it another voice then Jeremy Irons just cannot be bettered. He understands the dramatic qualities but doesn't 'act' the poems. Just a dream narrator. I finally 'get' TS Eliot.

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Outstanding in every way

TS Eliot is a genius, his poetry is always thought provoking even those about cats. He writes with exquisite style, each word has its place. Jeremy Irons has to be one of the very best readers, he knows the art of phrasing and inwardly bringing colour to each poem.

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Very good, but...

Excellent narration, but no index with poem titles. This means that one is unable to select a piece by title.

Another gripe is that there is too short a pause after each piece, giving no time for reflection or contemplation.

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35 people found this helpful

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Great listen

to hear TS Eliot's work brought to life in such a way, brings nothing but delight.

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