Audiobook Review
James Merrill, the son of Merrill Lynch cofounder Charles Lynch, rose from a privileged but unsettled childhood to become one of the leading lyrical poets of the 20th century. Composed of rare, self-read recordings and a booklet containing the text of each poem, The Voice of the Poet: James Merrill celebrates Merrill and his complex grapplings with love and loss. Listeners will immerse themselves in the poet's melodic narration in such classics as "The Days of 1964," "An Urban Convalescence," and "Lost in Translation." "The Broken Home," a reflection on his parents' widely publicized divorce, nails Merrill's love/loss dichotomy perfectly by showing his struggle to reconcile their differences. Listen to Merrill read "The School Play." Visit our audio help page for more information. (Running time: 1 hour, 1 cassette)

From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up-Read by author. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
In a brilliant audio packaging concept, these three tapes initiate an "audio and book" series. The poets (all now deceased) read from their work, and there is a 64-page book presenting an introductory biographical and critical overview by editor J.D. McClatchy, plus text of the poems, photos, and illuminating fragments from letters. Plath's two readings, as the editor notes, show a dramatic tonal difference, from the flat recitation of early poems to the stark, cutting, forceful severity of her voice as she moves through the poems that would be collected posthumously as Ariel. The readings by Merrill and Auden are culled from various sources, especially important in Merrill's case, where McClatchy has sought out the more accessible of the poet's often complex poems. Surprisingly, Auden's reading is the least pleasurable, perhaps because there are many other recordings of him reading his own work. These tapes, and hopefully others to follow in this series, are a perfect means of introducing interested but uncommitted readers and listeners to poetry. Essential for all libraries.ARochelle Ratner, formerly with "Soho Weekly News," New York Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
The Voice of the Poet series, produced in installments over a three-year period, is gleaned from Yale library's extensive archive of poetry read at the university over the years. Each program provides a survey of each poet's work at both its strongest and most characteristic; cumulatively, the series reveals the lifeblood of poetry: a human voice making experience into art. Not surprisingly, some of the poets read their work better than others. James Merrill's urbane voice mirrors the elegance of his poems. The series itself could not have been put together with more care. A sixty-minute cassette presents the poet reading his or her own work--each includes some never-before-released recordings of the author. Also included is a booklet with a ten-page insightful introduction by noted poet and critic J.D, McClatchy, the texts for the twenty or so career-spanning poems read by the poet, and a brief reading list. Beyond the content is the stunning design of the individual packages. Overall, The Voice of the Poet series should stand as a benchmark for other audio poetry programs. P.B.J. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Review
"A unique and happy venture in the cause of modern poetry; of distinct classroom and educational value, as well as a welcome treasure for home libraries." -Anthony Hecht

Review
"A unique and happy venture in the cause of modern poetry; of distinct classroom and educational value, as well as a welcome treasure for home libraries." -Anthony Hecht

Book Description
A remarkable new series of audiobooks, featuring the most distinguished twentieth-century American poets reading from their own work. A first in audiobook publishing--a series that uses the written word to enhance the listening experience--poetry to be read as well as heard. Each audiobook includes rare archival recordings on cassette and a book with the text of the poetry, a bibliography, and a commentary by J.D. McClatchy, the poet and critic, who is the editor of The Yale Review.


From the Inside Flap
A remarkable new series of audiobooks, featuring the most distinguished twentieth-century American poets reading from their own work. A first in audiobook publishing--a series that uses the written word to enhance the listening experience--poetry to be read as well as heard. Each audiobook includes rare archival recordings on cassette and a book with the text of the poetry, a bibliography, and a commentary by J.D. McClatchy, the poet and critic, who is the editor of The Yale Review.


From the Back Cover
"A unique and happy venture in the cause of modern poetry; of distinct classroom and educational value, as well as a welcome treasure for home libraries." -Anthony Hecht

About the Author
James Merrill (1926-1995) was renowned for the elegance and humane complexity of his work, and is considered the leading lyric poet of his generation. His travels around the world--with their displacements and discoveries--are the subject of many of his poems, but at heart he was an autobiographical poet whose "chronicles of love and loss" tracked the heart as poignantly as a poet ever has. In his huge epic poem on occult themes, in his enthralling narrative poems, or in his small exquisite lyrics, he wrote in a distinctively urbane and engaging voice that made his career one of the wonders of contemporary poetry.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Featuring the most distinguished twentieth-century American poets reading from their own work. A first in audiobook publishing—a series that uses the written word to enhance the listening experience—poetry to be read as well as heard. Each audiobook includes rare archival recordings on cassette and a book with the text of the poetry, a bibliography, and a commentary by J.D. McClatchy, the poet and critic, who is the editor of The Yale Review.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

In a brilliant audio packaging concept, these three tapes initiate an "audio and book" series. The poets (all now deceased) read from their work, and there is a 64-page book presenting an introductory biographical and critical overview by editor J.D. McClatchy, plus text of the poems, photos, and illuminating fragments from letters. Plath's two readings, as the editor notes, show a dramatic tonal difference, from the flat recitation of early poems to the stark, cutting, forceful severity of her voice as she moves through the poems that would be collected posthumously as Ariel. The readings by Merrill and Auden are culled from various sources, especially important in Merrill's case, where McClatchy has sought out the more accessible of the poet's often complex poems. Surprisingly, Auden's reading is the least pleasurable, perhaps because there are many other recordings of him reading his own work. These tapes, and hopefully others to follow in this series, are a perfect means of introducing interested but uncommitted readers and listeners to poetry. Essential for all libraries.--Rochelle Ratner, formerly with "Soho Weekly News," New York Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-Read by author. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

AudioFile