Product Description
From love songs to religious hymns, from heartfelt elegies to holy sonnets, this collection of Donne's works runs the gamut of the poet's brilliance, and includes some of his best-loved poems. Includes poems read in their entirety as well as unabridged extracts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Annoyances
The most annoying thing about these cds is the intrusive and unnecessary intros to the poems which most listeners will not care to listen to more than once.The second most annoying thing about these cds is the intrusive, unnecessary and unattractive trumpet at the beginning or ends of many poems.The third most annoying thing about these cds is the poor reading, which at times doesn't follow either prosody or normal voice in its pitch patterns and emphasis.Apart from these three annoyances, these are fair cds.They might be useful in educational settings, where the intros might be appropriate and the trumpet might keep students awake.I gave this two stars rather than one because the poetry presented is immortal.

superb readings -- of course!
I've owned the cassette version of this recording for some time: it's simply superb, which is what you would expect from such seasoned British actors. Nathaniel Parker's readings of The Flea and To His Mistress are particular knock-outs.

The narrative between the poems is also excellent, putting Donne's work in perspective by placing it firmly within the historical and cultural context.

Highly recommended.

Great introduction to John Donne
This set of tapes is a good way to begin a study of John Donne, or if already a fan, to be cradled by his words read aloud by melliflous English voices.There is a good biographical sketch interlaced with some of Donne's most famous works, giving the listener the historical background and influences behind some of the world's best poetry. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Theresa DiPasquale's study of John Donne, Aemilia Lanyer, and John Milton demonstrates how each of these seventeenth century English poets revised, reformed, and renewed the Judeo-Christian tradition of the sacred feminine. All three poets are deeply invested in the ancient, scripturally authorized belief that the relationship between God and humankind is gendered: God is father, bridegroom, king; the human soul and the Church as corporate entity are daughter, bride, and consort. All three poets, DiPasquale demonstrates, thus engage in literary projects that modify, expand upon, challenge, or rethink the natures of men and women, the duties and privileges of the female sex, and the essential role played by feminine powers and influences in healing the sin-forged rift between God and humanity. ... Read more