Murder in the Cathedral, Book Cover May Vary

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0156632772 ISBN 13: 9780156632775

Publisher: Harcourt, 1964

T. S. Eliot's verse dramatization of the murder of Thomas Becket at Canterbury, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature

 

The Archbishop Thomas Becket speaks fatal words before he is martyred in T. S. Eliot's best-known drama, based on the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1170. Praised for its poetically masterful handling of issues of faith, politics, and the common good, T. S. Eliot's play bolstered his reputation as the most significant poet of his time.

About the Author:

THOMAS STEARNS ELIOT was born in St Louis, Missouri, in 1888. He moved to England in 1914 and published his first book of poems in 1917. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948. Eliot died in 1965.

From AudioFile:

This re-release of the 1953 recording of Eliot's poetic drama is a real treasure. Robert Donat plays the pious Archbishop Thomas Becket as he struggles with his instinctive knowledge that King Henry II's loose tongue will make Thomas a martyr. Donat's Thomas is sensitive and resigned, without being annoyingly sanctimonious. Also of note are the excellent performances of Thomas's tempters and of the Chorus. A knowledge of the history is essential to understanding the story as Eliot's playwriting is a bit demanding for the casual listener. Unfortunately, the liner notes don't explain quite enough to satisfy the curiosity of a listener who last read about Thomas Becket in a religious studies course. This should not, however, detract from enjoying the smooth, clean production and performance. A.H.A. [Not available in the U.S.] © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine