The Poems of John Keats: Introduction by David Bromwich

The arrival of this book came sooner than expected, which was very welcome, and the shipping packaging was very strong and sturdy. The book was in perfect condition, and is a beautiful edition of Keat's poems. Thank you. I couldn't have asked for more.

There is simply no better edition of Keats in existence. However, if you are coming to Keats for the first time you'll be better off with an edition containing substantive annotations; Stillinger's notes are virtually all on textual matters (the Oxford Authors edition edited by Elizabeth Cook is a fine choice). The text established by Stillinger is unlikely to be surpassed for years to come. If you want an edition of Keats's complete poetic output in a reliable scholarly text, then this is the edition for you. For the Keats aficionado, this book is a godsend.

Keats' message is abstruse. He points at the illusion of "I" as being an intertwining of "we". Opposites are illusions. The highest aspect of human existence is in love: the personal contact and the breaking of the illusion of "I" in connection, transcendence, created in union or fellowship with others. No other poet wrote so creamy white to the tongue, but was he cheating by not being as forward and clear, or substantive; over stepping the allowance given to poetry of form supporting meaning. Beauty is its own vindication is another message of Keats "truth is beauty, beauty is truth" and I think by his writing style he felt the slippery smooth qualities would override the illusive aspects, beauty would be its own vindication, if not add a mysterious spell-binding quality to his writing -- but is it just smoke and mirrors? Life is a dream within a dream, within a dream... (sounds like the mocked priest in "The Princess Bride" but this is Keats). This a general feeling for his longer poem, among his shorter poems he has gems like "autumn". Change is a constant, life is an enigma, so is Keats. Oscar Wilde's openning treatis in the "Picture of Dorian Grey" seems to be in-line with Keats or is it an attack on Keats in the the end? Keats was not on the mega superstar status as Byron, in his day. Keats is as much for our time as his own. He gained, apparently, the energy and will to take up poetry due to being youthfully influenced by Byron, wearing his shirt open and such, but any comparison stops there. Byron was a driving force for his time and could be argued to be the first modern super pop star of the young generational angst, outsider sort, as well as having a significant mark on thinking to come. He was not the athiest as Shelly but closer to the agnostic/Pagan sympathizer of Byron. I have mixed feelings about Keats, mostly on the negative side. In the end I guess Keats was clear: beauty is its own reward, over substance, over philosophy, what are these things, to him, but illusions, all is illusion, the closest thing to truth, if there is such a thing, is beauty, and Keats did write beautiful words in beautiful ways. Maybe I will read him again someday.

Keats is wonderful. However, a reason to purchase *this* version over other publications is because of Jack Stillinger. He was my english professor and the man is an expert on all things Keats. It was a pleasure learning from him and his essays are always worth reading.

If you're a true Keats fan this is a must to add to your collection. Contains all of Keat's best work. Or enrich somone's life who is not familiar with Keats. A great gift idea.