angeliqueazul's review against another edition
5.0
This volume of selected poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a true delight to read. The shorter poems in the beginning of this book already blew me away with their beautiful language, and I found many poems that I want to memorize. The excerpts from The Song of Hiawatha were strange at best, but with Evangeline Longfellow won my heart. The Courtship of Miles Standish with its witty and funny tone was a nice closure for this volume. The longer poems gave women a voice and showed their intelligence and strength, which is something remarkable for a poet from the 19th century and something I really enjoyed about his poetry.
Many people shy away from reading poetry but Longfellow can be counted among the more accessible poets. I definitely recommend reading his works!
Many people shy away from reading poetry but Longfellow can be counted among the more accessible poets. I definitely recommend reading his works!
hollyevaallen's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not the biggest fan of Longfellow but I don’t dislike his work either. For me, a lot of his poetry sounds cliché or trite but I have to admit that’s probably just my modern ear. “Evangeline” has some beautiful descriptions and a lovely narrative while other pieces, such as “The Wreck of the Hesperus”, are a little flat sounding (at least to me). My favorite is likely “The Village Blacksmith” since I love the theme on time/ age as the day passes throughout the poem. All in all, Longfellow is worth a read though to modern readers his strong meter and rhyme may sounds a bit tired.
iceangel9's review
5.0
A wonderful selection of Longfellow's most famous poems, both long and short, as well as two of his plays. A classic must read for all who love American poetry and those who would like to learn to love it, or at least be exposed to it.
More...