John Masefield (Great Poets)

Masefield, John

ISBN 10: 1843797372 ISBN 13: 9781843797371

Publisher: Naxos Audio Books, 2013

Synopsis

John Masefield (1878 1967) was one of the most prolific, popular and successful poets of the twentieth century. Masefield broke upon Edwardian literature with the startling work entitled The Everlasting Mercy, a long narrative poem that described the spiritual enlightenment of a drunken poacher. Its daring and controversial use of language and form caused a literary sensation. Over the span of his lifetime, he was appointed Poet Laureate and amassed a large number of admirers, which included such high-profile names as John Betjeman, Robert Graves, and W.B. Yeats. This collection contains thirty-six poems spanning Masefields entire career from 1902 to 1967. There are poems from Salt-Water Ballads (1902) and Ballads (1903), which give examples of the poets early verse. These are followed by thrilling passages taken from the narrative poems The Everlasting Mercy, Dauber, and Reynard the Fox. The selection also includes a number of sonnets, and examples of Masefields more pastoral and reflective poetry from the 1920s, including On Growing Old, as well as his poetry on the Romans. A number of rarities that have, until now, languished in obscure publications are also included.

About this title

About the Author:

John Masefield (1878-1967) is in the highest class as a writer of clear, muscular English, whether he is writing about the countryside he loved so well, or, as in this book, the sea, with which he maintained that love-hate relationship which is the hallmark of the genuine seaman, ' writes Professor Lloyd. Brought up in Herefordshire and soon orphaned, Masefield was trained on the Conway at Liverpool, served his apprenticeship in windjammers, sailed around the Horn and was beached in New York before he was eighteen. His experiences in these impressionable years stayed with him for the rest of his life. Back in England at the turn of the century, Masefield worked for the Manchester "Guardian" and published two books of verse (one which contained 'Sea Fever') and a collection of short stories before "Sea Life" in "Nelson's Time" was published in 1905. He became famous in 1911 with the publication of "Everlasting Mercy", when the use of the word 'bloody' created a sensation. Reynard the Fox, published in 1919, consolidated his position. In 1930 he was appointed Poet Laureate and other honours followed, notably the Order of Merit in 1935.

About this edition

• Publisher: Naxos Audio Books
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1843797372
• ISBN 13: 9781843797371
• Binding: Audio CD
• Number of pages: 1