From AudioFile
Posterity has found the love between Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning as intriguing and beautiful as their poetry. After eloping in defiance of Elizabeth's tyrannical father, they lived happily for 15 years--until Elizabeth died in her husband's arms. Sides one and two of this set retell their story and illustrate it with their letters and verse. Side three samples more of Robert's best-loved pieces. The final side gives us Elizabeth's "Sonnets from the Portuguese," love poetry written for her husband. Unfortunately, Steven Pacey and Joanna David, reading from Robert and Elizabeth's works respectively, lose both sense and music in their affectations. Even thus flawed, How Do I Love Thee? makes a romantic gift for the special someone in your life. Y.R. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Publishers Weekly
A Publishers Weekly award winner for Best Spoken Audio of 1997.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 1997
"It is a true pleasure, with Elizabeth's poetry (including the complete "Sonnets from the Portuguese") read by British actress Joanna David and Robert's work (including "Home Thoughts") read by actor Steven Pacey. It would not be complete without "How Do I Love Thee?" Narration of the biography is by actor Sean Barrett. All performances are outstanding."

AudioFile, February 1998
"How Do I Love Thee makes a romantic gift for the special someone in your life."

Book Description
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways" "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be . . ." These lines from some of the most famous poems in the English language are also the legacy of a great love story. Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning were united not only as man and wife, but also as writers who shared and debated ideas, values and literary craft. Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning: How Do I Love Thee? Their Story and Poetry is an audio original consisting of 70 poems performed by three great British actors. It interweaves the classic poetry by these two famous writers of the Victorian era with the narrative story of their love, offering a rare glimpse into the artistic, passionate nature of genius. 2 cassettes.

About the Author
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) defied her father to marry Robert and then moved to Florence. Considered in her lifetime the better poet, Elizabeth was nominated as poet laureate of England.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A unique weaving of poetry performed in a biographical context, this audio set features the voices of three fine British actors, offering a rare glimpse into the artistic, passionate nature of genius. 2 cassettes.

FROM THE CRITICS

AudioFile - Yuri Rasovsky