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Songs of Innocence and of Experience

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Songs of Innocence and of Experience

By: William Blake
Narrated by: Roy Macready
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About this listen

The "Songs of Innocence" were published in 1789 and republished in 1794 together with the "Songs of Experience". They represent Blake's two perspectives on the world, that of the child (innocence) and that of the adult (experience). Blake's poetical works were largely neglected in their own time but are today considered some of the most brilliant of English verse. The "songs" are presented here together with "Auguries of Innocence".

Public Domain (P)2016 Spiders' House Audio/Roy Macready Classics European Poetry Themes & Styles World Literature

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All stars
Most relevant  
Of the three available recordings of the Songs, Roy Macready's moving recitation is relatively outstanding.

Heartfelt

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The poems are not read in the correct order as written and originally published. Poor.

Badly done.

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Roy Macready's narration is wonderful, but the arrangement lets this down. the poems are out of order, with Innocence and Experience mixed up, which rather spoils Blake's depiction of 'the two contrary states of the human soul'. This would not be so bad if it were possible to select certain poems (like a music playlist) but unfortunately the 'chapters' of this audiobook are not that. Such a shame, because I did enjoy the narration immensely!

Good delivery, poor arrangement

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