Summoned by Bells: A Life in Verse (BBC Audio)

Betjeman, John

ISBN 10: 1408400731 ISBN 13: 9781408400739

Publisher: BBC Physical Audio, 2008

Synopsis

The late Poet Laureate John Betjeman reads his own poetic autobiography. In the much-loved tones of Sir John himself, this magnificent autobiography in verse captures the voice of the late Poet Laureate. From his earliest boyhood memories of Highgate and Archibald, his old stuffed bear, through to his undergraduate years at Oxford and his early career, John Betjeman's unique narrative style poignantly describes the pains and pleasures of growing up. 'Summoned by Bells can hardly help being a landmark...one seems to be living his childhood and boyhood with him' - Stephen Spender.

About this title

Product Description

In the tones of Sir John himself, this autobiography in verse captures the voice of the late Poet Laureate. From his earliest boyhood memories of Highgate and Archibald, his old stuffed bear, through to his undergraduate years at Oxford and his early career, it describes the pains and pleasures of growing up.

Review

A true poet who extends experience (Margaret Lane)

His humour is remarkably versatile, for it can be used to serve both his deepest love and his most remorseless hatred (Observer)

His poems spring from what he really feels about real life, and as a result he brings back to poetry a sense of dramatic urgency it had all but lost (Philip Larkin)

Betjeman is perhaps as completely original a writer as has ever existed (Times Literary Supplement)

Edition details

• Publisher: BBC Physical Audio
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1408400731
• ISBN 13: 9781408400739
• Binding: Audio CD