alexcruse's review against another edition
4.0
my fave poet and one of my fave works by him.
utterly gorgeous.
utterly gorgeous.
lizbusby's review
4.0
Remarkably, this is a book of "serious" poetry that is actually readable. As in interesting to read the first time, and even without a guide. I thought this brand of poetry was extinct a long time ago.
frankie_s's review
3.0
Haven't read these poems (or many others, tbh) since I used to scour poetry sites in my teens in the 90s (weirdo) but glad to know they're still good. I don't love the middle two but Little Gidding is an old fave - still a bit memorised - and Burnt Norton is a new fave.
fizreads's review
4.0
I really enjoy reading T. S. Eliot's poetry. Last year I read his selected poems and found some favourites in there, this collection was written and published in 1943. I think why I love his poetry so much is because the writing is so vivid. He writes in a way that is almost nostalgic but philosophical and you can't help but go back and re-read it. I think his grasp on time, and love is really powerful. I also really appreciate that he doesn't use flowery language where your like thinking what on earth am I reading but instead it is lyrical and flows so smoothly. The poetry is actually touching and really does move you. If you want to get into classic poetry T. S. Eliot is the guy for you!
wcook's review
5.0
a much needed reread today . have been flipping between julian and the ecological self earlier and found them both welcome companions to this.
toms masterpiece in his own words - i agree. poetry doesn’t really move on from this . poetics of release. decreation. the mystic of amherst and the recluse at norwich all get they’re say. i can’t love this more i don’t think.
it is rare that a poem can fill one’s heart with such joy. ravishing.
all shall be well xoxo
toms masterpiece in his own words - i agree. poetry doesn’t really move on from this . poetics of release. decreation. the mystic of amherst and the recluse at norwich all get they’re say. i can’t love this more i don’t think.
it is rare that a poem can fill one’s heart with such joy. ravishing.
all shall be well xoxo
bookpossum's review
5.0
Beautiful, mesmerising poetry. There is so much to contemplate in these four poems about time, faith and spiritual belief, whether the reader is a practising Christian, or a humanist, or a follower of a philosophy such as Buddhism. It is a meditation on the human condition. It end with this famous passage:
We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
Through the unknown, remembered gate
When the last of earth left to discover
Is that which was the beginning;
At the source of the longest river
The voice of the hidden waterfall
And the children in the apple-tree
Not known, because not looked for
But heard, half-heard, to the stillness
Between two waves of the sea.
Quick now, here, now, always -
A condition of complete simplicity
(Costing not less than everything)
And all shall be well and
All manner of thing shall be well
When the tongues of flames are in-folded
Into the crowned knot of fire
And the fire and the rose are one.
We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
Through the unknown, remembered gate
When the last of earth left to discover
Is that which was the beginning;
At the source of the longest river
The voice of the hidden waterfall
And the children in the apple-tree
Not known, because not looked for
But heard, half-heard, to the stillness
Between two waves of the sea.
Quick now, here, now, always -
A condition of complete simplicity
(Costing not less than everything)
And all shall be well and
All manner of thing shall be well
When the tongues of flames are in-folded
Into the crowned knot of fire
And the fire and the rose are one.