Selected Poems (Expanded Edition)
by W. H. Auden, Edited by Edward Mendelson
Published by Vintage Books
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Reviewed by Kathy Johnson
W.H. Auden was a twentieth century English poet. He emphasized the individual, past and present, in their frail condition.
Auden's writing varied as to subject, style, and type as he aged. Love poems, politics, culture, morals, individuals; what a wealth of poetry the public has from Auden because of the number of years he lived and wrote. Twenty poems have been added to this expanded edition including some of Auden's lighter poems. This aids the reader, student, or lover of Auden to see a more complex, complete, fuller and well-rounded poet.
A nice touch within the volume was the inclusion of brief notes explaining references that might be unclear. Other positive features consisted of chronological arrangement of material, and an index of titles and first lines.
Armchair Interviews says: A must for all Auden students, whether a casual reader or lover of his poetry.
Publisher's Web site: http://www.vintagebooks.com