Realms of Gold Audiobook By John Keats cover art

Realms of Gold

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Realms of Gold

By: John Keats
Narrated by: Samuel West, Matthew Marsh
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John Keats' letters paint an unforgettably vivid and moving picture of the richly productive but also tragic final years of the poet's life. As he ponders on the nature of the writer's craft, he must first confront his brother's death from tuberculosis and then the imminent prospect of his own, tormented by the fear that he will not live to consummate his relationship with Fanny Brawne.

This general selection also includes many of his finest poems, versions of which often appeared for the first time within the letters themselves. Among them are: "Ode to Melancholy”, "Ode of a Grecian Urn", "Old Meg", "Ode to a Nightingale", "La Belle Dame sans Merci", and "To Autumn".

Download the accompanying reference guide.(P)1999 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.; ©1999 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd. Collections & Anthologies European Memoirs, Diaries & Correspondence Poetry World Literature

Editorial reviews

John Keats's (1795 - 1821) awareness of his imminent death lends a tragic intensity to this selection of letters and poems. This is enhanced by the fine performance of Samuel West, whose rich, young voice embodies the passion and precision so characteristic of the poet's brilliant and questing mind. The occasional commentary by Matthew Marsh is in deep, slow contrast to West's narrations. Like other Naxos recordings, the piano interludes - in this case, a selection of Mendelssohn's piano works and his "Songs Without Words" - allow the listener reflective moments to digest the material. The whole is thoughtful and conducive to fully appreciating Keats's lyricism.

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It’s a wonderful exchange if letters with historical context added in, casual read.

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Exactly as described, and exchange of letters

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Keats is always great, and this narrator does an excellent job conveying the brilliance of his work.

Beautiful

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I'm a poetry-lover, but for one reason or another Keats never grabbed me ... But this little volume was a real joy and made his language come alive, and it has definitely led me back to the poems for another look. Keats' poetry is, to my ear and eye, complicated, and requires attention and careful reading; hearing it read (and read spectacularly well here) really made it come alive. And the letters are truly spectacular - so beautifully written, so intelligent - and remarkable that they were written by a young man in his 20s. Highly recommended as introduction to Keats' work, and I also am fairly sure that Keats fans will love it as well.

A wonderful volume

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What made the experience of listening to Realms of Gold the most enjoyable?

Keats writes like a dream, and the narrators read like a dream. Beautiful job of editing letters and poems together. Music unobtrusive.

Who was your favorite character and why?

NA

Keats Heaven

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I use audible for just such original titles as Realms of Gold. Some content is best to be read, while other titles are meant to be listened to, contemplated upon and slowly absorbed. Keats' letters fall in the latter category. Never before have I heard a better voice speaking on Keats' behalf. The rich voice of the British narrator brings the poet alive, despite Keats' untimely death in Italy so long ago, in a way that I could never do reading alone, and frees me up to enjoy the richness, texture and ideas that Keats left to the world. Truly a gift. In Realms, some of Keats' best poems are interlaced with his letters, augmented with just the right amount of narration to give the listener important perspective on Keats' life. This is as well-balanced of an offering as you'll find and I can't recommend it enough.

Ashes in Italy, but alive in my Ipod

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A great collection and reading of poems and correspondence by John Keats — THE quintessential man of letters. The narration is spot-on and serves the text well, however unnecessary that might be (Keats' prose equally pleasing if it were to fall from Fran Drescher's cacophonous yap I'm sure of it). The book short, but superbly sweet; mirroring the life of the man. Worth mention (perhaps): Keats' euphonistic prose accompagné de superb performances and mellifluous delivery of the narrators render the work a wonderful sleep accompaniment.

"Ballustrades of beautiful green Hedges along their steps down to the sands. – But the sea, Jack, the sea – the little waterfall – then the white cliff – then St. Catherine’s Hill – “the sheep in the meadows, the cows in the corn.” — Simply delicious.

John Keats — THE man of letters — Superbly read

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This is absolutely wonderful. Sam West knows exactly how to read Keat's poems and letters, capturing not only the lyrical beauty and romanticism but also the intelligence, wit and humour. By the end of this short audiobook, Keats feels so alive that the final letter is absolutely devastating. A truly stunning recording.

Sam West is Keats

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I can't recall a lovelier afternoon than the one I just spent listening to this audiobook. Keats was the first poet with whom I fell in love way back when I was in my early teens. This selection of his poems, interspered with letters written concurrently and even sometimes mentioned in the letters, is beautifully read by West (one of the best narrators ever, in my opinion) and Marsh. I can't recommend this one highly enough to anyone who loves Keats.

Brilliant

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A beautifully assembled compilation of biographical materials, such as family history and letters of Keats, in addition to a rewarding selection of his poems set in the context of the time in which he lived accompanied by the occasional few bars of what seems the most soothing and appropro classical piano.

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