holies's review against another edition
4.0
I don't normally read poetry but today a friend told me Colin Morgan's reading of this poem was available on the iPlayer so I gave this a go. And I liked it so much I went and bought the ebook off Amazon to be able to read along as Morgan read to be able to appreciate the poetry better. I liked the intimate tone of the verses (it's a diary, duh), the crucial historical moment it was set in (and was a bit unnerved by how relevant most of the political/social commentary still is), the everyday description and little snapshots of London life. Poetry still is definitely not my cup of tea but MacNeice's free verse (that's what I'd call it in Italian) flows so easily this was not a hardahip to read. In short, I'm glad I read this, something I'd have never sought on my own. So, thank you Colin Morgan for luring me in with your sexy Irish accent, I guess?
lokster71's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful book. I was aware of it but I haven't read any Louis MacNeice at all, even though I've had a copy of his Collected Poems gathering dust on my shelf for a while. But then Backlisted podcast did an episode on it and that forced the issue.
It's a poetic dip into the time of the Munich Conference. War is in the air. But MacNeice manages to make it the political intimate and the intimate political. It makes you aware of how different poetry is to prose.
I'll be re-reading this I think.
It's a poetic dip into the time of the Munich Conference. War is in the air. But MacNeice manages to make it the political intimate and the intimate political. It makes you aware of how different poetry is to prose.
I'll be re-reading this I think.
seanius's review against another edition
4.0
A long lyrical poem, journaling the lonely thoughts of a young man fleeing his distant lover and his native industry-spoiled England. Set in 1938 when appeasement is failing and Londoners are nervously buying papers threatening war. The idealistic socialist side has failed in Spain against fascist forces. The atmosphere of anxiety and an impending change in world-order is all too familiar today (although, today it seems the Left that is going too far...).
There is some slightly juvenile treatment of romance, and the treatment of Irish identity is a little shallow and bitter. However, overall a wonderful piece of poetry, with nostalgia for an engrossing if futile Classical education, and a 'coming of age' in terms of disillusion with the young enamourment of Romance and of the possibilities for positive (and expedient!) political and social change.
Worth a read in these ‘interesting times’.
There is some slightly juvenile treatment of romance, and the treatment of Irish identity is a little shallow and bitter. However, overall a wonderful piece of poetry, with nostalgia for an engrossing if futile Classical education, and a 'coming of age' in terms of disillusion with the young enamourment of Romance and of the possibilities for positive (and expedient!) political and social change.
Worth a read in these ‘interesting times’.
kfrench1008's review against another edition
4.0
Long form poem about lost time, lost love, and the onset of war. Excellent.
lnatal's review
4.0
From BBC Radio 3 - Drama on 3:
Colin Morgan reads Louis MacNeice's poetic testament of life in 1938, written against the turbulent backdrop of the Munich Agreement, the fall of Barcelona and Britain's preparations for an inevitable war. Introduced by poet Colette Bryce and interwoven with archive news reports from the era.
Part of Radio 3's 70th season, marking the anniversary of the creation of the Third Programme, Radio 3's predecessor in 1946, where MacNeice worked as a producer and writer.
Produced by Emma Harding.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b084cs48
Colin Morgan reads Louis MacNeice's poetic testament of life in 1938, written against the turbulent backdrop of the Munich Agreement, the fall of Barcelona and Britain's preparations for an inevitable war. Introduced by poet Colette Bryce and interwoven with archive news reports from the era.
Part of Radio 3's 70th season, marking the anniversary of the creation of the Third Programme, Radio 3's predecessor in 1946, where MacNeice worked as a producer and writer.
Produced by Emma Harding.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b084cs48
lokster71's review
5.0
This is a beautiful book. I was aware of it but I haven't read any Louis MacNeice at all, even though I've had a copy of his Collected Poems gathering dust on my shelf for a while. But then Backlisted podcast did an episode on it and that forced the issue.
It's a poetic dip into the time of the Munich Conference. War is in the air. But MacNeice manages to make it the political intimate and the intimate political. It makes you aware of how different poetry is to prose.
I'll be re-reading this I think.
It's a poetic dip into the time of the Munich Conference. War is in the air. But MacNeice manages to make it the political intimate and the intimate political. It makes you aware of how different poetry is to prose.
I'll be re-reading this I think.