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Billy Collins Live
- A Performance at the Peter Norton Symphony Space, April 20, 2005
- Narrated by: Billy Collins
- Length: 1 hr and 13 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Poetry
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Editor reviews
Summary
Performed by the author at Peter Norton Symphony Space in New York City, Billy Collins reads 24 of his poems, including "Dharma", a spiritual yet humbling ode to man's best friend, "The Lanyard", an amusing recollection about the popular, if not pointless, summer camp pastime, and "Consolation", a tongue-in-cheek reflection of a cancelled European trip, and the benefits of staying home instead. In addition to the poetry readings, Collins also spends some time in a brief question and answer session where he reflects on what makes good poetry, his own process of reaching his audiences as a poet, the success of his Poetry 180 programs in schools nationwide, and an amusing sidebar on his memories growing up as an only child. At times pensive and sardonic, amusing and subtly sarcastic, Billy Collins Live celebrates both the simple and the complex in a language that appeals to all.
Critic reviews
- 2005 Audie Award Nominee, Original Work
More from the same
What listeners say about Billy Collins Live
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ann perrrin
- 27-02-20
A master of the art?
I lost 240 calories listening to some of this cycling on a boring old exercise bike at the gym. Yes yes loved it. Brilliant poetry as well as wit and insights. xxx
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Mel
- 27-09-10
Does Not Get Better Than This
I can't say enough. Well, I could but I would have to write for years. This is "poetry" that EVERYONE will enjoy, and I would highly recommend for teens and children; it will appeal to them not only on a humorous level, but it is without guile and pretense--it relates on a personal level with every one. My husband ABHORS poetry (except for some ditty about a man from Nantucket) and he listened to the whole performance after I had him listen to the dog poem (guaranteed to have every dog owner chuckling). In few precise words, Mr. Collins can be silly and fun, then powerfully emotional and personal. Former poet laureate, Billy Collins, is a national treasure. *My review has already been longer than most of his poems.
17 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- John Lane
- 10-10-12
He actually outshines Bill Murray
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I have recommended this book to everyone I know who has an Audilbe Account. I love it. It's funny and very well done.
What did you like best about this story?
The humor. Billy Collins is so funny.
Have you listened to any of Billy Collins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
Bi,
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
It makes you laugh from beginning to the end.
Any additional comments?
Get this. You won't be disappointed. The only slight negative is that it is short.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Arnie
- 14-01-06
Modern Poetry
Although a short listen, it is full and rich with Billy Collins' modern, yet common-man poetry. The introduction by Bill Murray and the wit and homor of Billy Collins is an hour of real enjoyment. If you are not aware of Billy Collins poetry, this is a great sampler. If you are a Billy Collins fan, you'll want to have this in your collection.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Patricia
- 16-10-11
Now, this is poetry!
Billy Collins is wonderful. I have downloaded 2 of his performances, but this is the best, by far. He is so humorous while touching the things in our lives that we secretly think about but would like to talk about. Some of the poems are so serious that they are funny. He makes us realize that all is not lost - we are here and we should enjoy. I say, enjoy this CD
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Michelle L Reiter
- 17-06-10
this couldn't be more fun!
this is so much fun to listen to, one of the few that I will listen to again and again
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Pamela Harvey
- 19-03-06
Hilarious
I guess poetry is supposed to be "serious" but I found myself laughing out loud at some of his lines. It's almost as if he's parodying the art form. And yet somehow he pulls it off and offers piercing insights into daily life. I plan on reading more of his work.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jeff in Chicago
- 10-10-19
Smart and Funny Man. Doing poetry?
I love this program. Billy is clever and funny without being self absorbed. I listen to this a lot and it never gets old; just not too often...
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Chris Steelers
- 08-09-18
First time listener
Enjoyed the reading. First time listening to Billy Collins. He was pleasant to listen to.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gillian S. Miller
- 10-05-15
Brief but lovely.
It was fascinating to hear Billy reading his own work. I love the way his poems draw us into a simple, so often humorous, observation about something then flip us, along with the poem, upside down, wondering how we got there.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lynn
- 13-11-12
If it were a book, I couldn't have put it down!
Fascinating listening. Funny, brilliant, tongue-in-cheek. This is a guy that I would love to have dinner with, or have as a friend. Sparkling intimate readings; as if he were reading just for me. Billy Collins never disappoints.