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Six Poets

Hardy to Larkin: An Anthology

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Six Poets

By: Alan Bennett
Narrated by: Alan Bennett
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About this listen

Writers like to elude their public, lead them a bit of a dance. They take them down untrodden paths, land them in unknown country where they have to ask for directions.

In this personal anthology, Alan Bennett has chosen over seventy poems by six well-loved poets, discussing the writers and their verse in his customary conversational style through anecdote, shrewd appraisal and spare but telling biographical detail. Ranging from hidden treasures to famous poems, this is a collection for the beginner and the expert alike. Speaking with candour about his own reactions to the work, Alan Bennett creates profound and witty portraits of Thomas Hardy, A. E. Housman, John Betjeman, W. H. Auden, Louis MacNeice and Philip Larkin, all the more enjoyable for being in his own particular voice.

Anybody writing poetry in the thirties had somehow to come to terms with Auden. Auden, you see, had got a head start on the other poets. He'd got into the thirties first, like someone taking over the digs.

©1990 Alan Bennett (P)2014 Channel 4 Poetry Witty
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Most relevant
I am listening to this over and over again, what a treat.

I think that any and all people interested in poetry would enjoy this.

Loved this

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Well chosen and excellently read extracts from each of the poets to illustrate the kind of poetry Alan likes best. He does not veer from the contentious, which is a good thing.

Acute and humorous

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This was a find for me ;favourite poets and poems read with the humour and obvious love of the subject by Alan Bennet
A short audio book ,wish it was longer.
Has made me want to revisit the likes of Auden and Houseman ,while his rendition of my own personal favourites of Larkin
were read exactly how they should be read.brilliant listen,especially for bed time. 5 stars enjoy!

A Lockdown delight.

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A very interesting and engaging presentation of 6 poets and their poetry. Alan Bennett speaks with clarity and gentle humour.
This is a pleasing and enlightening listen.

A great pleasure

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The only audiobook I can truly say I turned on and listened to to the finish. I was completely entranced by the power of the poetry, the voice of the narrator and the background stories he provided for each poet. Even if you have only a passing interest in poetry or want it revived, give this a go.

Just Listen

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