The Complete Nonsense of Edward Lear

Sorry for the lack of books reviews lately; I have been swamped (no exaggeration there!) with university work :-(

However, seeing as I haven't blogged in a couple of days, I thought I would do something a bit different and review a collection of poetry... This could either go very right, or very, very wrong.

Oh, and it is World Poetry Day today!!

Collection: Faber Children's Classics; The Complete Nonsense of Edward Lear
Works Included: A Book of Nonsense (1846) Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany and Alphabets (1871) More Nonsense, Pictures, Rhymes, Botany, etc. (1872) Laughable Lyrics, A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. (1877) and Nonsense Songs and Stories (1895)
Author: Edward Lear
Editor: Holbrook Jackson

Review: 
Poetry is a something I am not entirely comfortable with. I mean, I struggle to appreciate it most of the time; let alone understand and enjoy it!

However, in Sixth Form, when I had to turn do a transformation of a piece of poetry and a piece of prose (which may I say was very successful; I got full marks *smug*) I found myself actually enjoying the poetry. I chose the Faber Children's Classics; The Complete Nonsense of Edward Lear; in particular, Lear's most famous work The Jumblies.

What I loved about all of Lear's work is that it is fun and, ever so slightly, insane. How on earth he ever come up with this stuff is beyond me. Nevertheless, it is perfect for children of all ages as it is entertaining and catchy. It is also a nice break from the stereotypical, rigid and often confusing styles of poetry many associate with the genre.

What I also love about his work, is that it is timeless. I brought my copy second hand of Amazon and was surprised to find a little note, from 2002, written by a Grandmother to her Grand-daughter wishing her a 'Happy Christmas.' So cute! Even when the poems were written in just under 200 years ago; they are still being read and loved by children.

Also the way this particular collection is set out and formatted really makes it seem timeless. For example, an archaic and decadent font has been used to make it seem as though it has been typed on a type-writer. Similarly, it is set on thick, off-white paper and is accompanied by Lear's original illustrations. Maybe, I am just really sad for noticing and appreciating these aspects of a printed book but I feel that the way a book feels and looks on a page really helps you to connect to the story and words....

I do not think it would really be appropriate to rate a piece of poetry out of 10 as, so I am told, poetry is all about an individual interpretation; so I will leave my post with a final comment...

I really wish I had read these when I was little!

You can buy Faber Children's Classics; The Complete Nonsense of Edward Lear from Amazon here.