Interesting post. Thank you. I saw Auden read when I was a schoolgirl- maybe 15 or so and too young to appreciate what I was seeing and hearing. I remember a great, shambling bear of a man in a loud tweed suit. But of the reading - nothing. Which makes me very sad indeed.
My favourite story of him lecturing was when he was supposed to talk about Othello. He shuffled on stage on slippers, put on Verdi’s opera Otello, and sat and listened to it
a weird thing: I was rereading bits of Goethe’s Italian Journey recently -- I had it on the shelf and it’s one of those books you can kind of poke through over an afternoon -- and I was occasionally blown away by the prose. when I finally looked at the front, I saw that Auden had worked on the translation.
A poetry reading club? Like the book club? I loved your discussion of Auden, and have already bought his Collected Poems, but taking on his poetry is challenging alone.
This is BRILLIANT post Henry! It has made me hunt out my various copies of Auden, which I will be re-reading in all their glory over the next couple of days. Thank you!
Love, Auden, love this. As a late bloomer, myself, Henry, I'd like you to consider writing for us on our collaborative Substack in the new year! Take a gander at https://innerlifecollaborative.substack.com and write me!
I had a friend read that section of O tell me the truth about love at my wedding
Haha fantastic
What a stunningly good post this is!
:)
Interesting post. Thank you. I saw Auden read when I was a schoolgirl- maybe 15 or so and too young to appreciate what I was seeing and hearing. I remember a great, shambling bear of a man in a loud tweed suit. But of the reading - nothing. Which makes me very sad indeed.
My favourite story of him lecturing was when he was supposed to talk about Othello. He shuffled on stage on slippers, put on Verdi’s opera Otello, and sat and listened to it
brilliant.
So jelly
You might be interested in this, Henry. About Auden’s travels in Iceland in the 1930s:
https://www.ft.com/content/c733d3d8-7954-4bdd-bdd0-be50e8ccd53e
Nice thanks
a weird thing: I was rereading bits of Goethe’s Italian Journey recently -- I had it on the shelf and it’s one of those books you can kind of poke through over an afternoon -- and I was occasionally blown away by the prose. when I finally looked at the front, I saw that Auden had worked on the translation.
didn't know he'd done that, must read it now...
great book to take outside with morning coffee
A poetry reading club? Like the book club? I loved your discussion of Auden, and have already bought his Collected Poems, but taking on his poetry is challenging alone.
Oh yes I see, sorry. Good idea. Shall noodle…
Interesting
I loved this Henry. Made me want to ensure I teach some Auden once again this year. Thank you!
Oh good—I hope you do!
This is BRILLIANT post Henry! It has made me hunt out my various copies of Auden, which I will be re-reading in all their glory over the next couple of days. Thank you!
Do listen to him on recording too—very worthwhile
Great post. Makes me want to get to know Auden better!
Good intro poems on Poetry Archive
How wonderful is this. Double doff!!
Glad you liked it!
Do you remember when Auden's "Dialectic" was published in the NY Review of Books, Henry?
I do not… shall have a look
Love, Auden, love this. As a late bloomer, myself, Henry, I'd like you to consider writing for us on our collaborative Substack in the new year! Take a gander at https://innerlifecollaborative.substack.com and write me!
Thanks! I’ll have a look and be in touch
I so agree @Henry Oliver!
Nicely told!
God we could use some more non-sentimental poets these days. So much fluffy mysticism about
Yes indeed!