The Essential Keats

by John Keats

Philip Levine, American poet and author, has selected a wonderful collection of John Keats' greatest works, showcasing a poet of intelligence, craft and charm, second only to Shakespeare in his brilliant power of phrase. "This poet whose greatest ambition was to be 'among the English poets,'" Levine writes in his introduction, "is not only preeminent among those of the past, but for well over a century he has continued to be the yardstick by which those who have written poetry in our language can measure their success. He remains a wellspring to which all of us might go to refresh our belief in the value of this art."

Genres: Poetry, Classics

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 1987

About the author

Rich melodic works in classical imagery of English poet John Keats include " The Eve of Saint Agnes ," " Ode on a Grecian Urn ," and " To Autumn ," all in 1819.

Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley include "Adonais," an elegy of 1821 to John Keats.

Work of the principal of the Romantic movement of England received constant critical attacks from the periodicals of the day during his short life. He nevertheless posthumously immensely influenced poets, such as Alfred Tennyson. Elaborate word choice and sensual imagery characterize poetry, including a series of odes, masterpieces of Keats among the most popular poems in English literature. Most celebrated letters of Keats expound on his aesthetic theory of "negative capability."

Wikipedia page of the author

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Keats. Shall I say more?

[Jed Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the great romantic poets. Ode To A Nightingale is still mind-blowing.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first it was hard to reread Keats. I felt embarrassed by his exclamation marks and melodrama in general. But once I immersed myself and let the words engulf me, I realized how wonderful and refreshing his sincerity and Romanticism truly are, especially in today's world (poetry world included), and how embodied his words feel. He makes thoughts sensual and the sensual thoughtful. And how many of us poets today make such quote-worthy lines or phrases? Like "forever young"!!

[J.C. Pillard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keats is one of those poets who infiltrates your mind and gives you visions of a fantastical world where imagination meet reality. This small selection of poetry from his short life vividly illustrates his understanding of poetry and his love of description. Though short, the book reprints some of his most loved and most critically acclaimed pieces. An excellent read for anyone with a wish to become familiar with Keats.

[Stephanie Harless · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read and get to know more about Keats work after I've watched Bright Star. one of my favorite movies. I love that movie. So good. His words flow so beautifully and easy off the pages. I'm glad I read more of his words, and hope to read some more about his life.

[June · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I liked Keats...I just don't. Lovely book design, though.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love me some keats

[Agnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Living Hand is in the top 10 of my favorite poems;
I didn't find any here that I like as much.

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gift from dear Priscillia Las Marias-Kelso. Surprisingly, SURPRISINGLY, I managed to understand most of the Keats's work! I now wonder if this is due to having read up on his short, interesting life, thus making random passages resonate with this reader.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

You should ask me about the Keats fan I met at the Half Price Books.

[Sarah Fowler Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Keats. So modern and yet so Romantic. A little melodramatic, but then what poetry isn't?

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wonderful.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

So very romantic.