What W. H. Auden Can Do for You

SKU: PR228300

Price:
Sale price$47.10

Description

Discover the transformative power of poetry with "What W. H. Auden Can Do for You," a compelling work by bestselling novelist Alexander McCall Smith. This remarkable book intertwines personal narrative with profound literary appreciation, exploring how the celebrated 20th-century poet W. H. Auden can inspire and guide readers through life’s challenges. McCall Smith reflects on his deep admiration for Auden, describing how encountering Auden's work changed his perspective and enriched his life.

From moral dilemmas faced by Isabel Dalhousie, the beloved character from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, to insightful meditations on love and loss found in poems such as "As I Walked Out One Evening" and "The More Loving One," this book illustrates the timeless relevance of Auden’s poetry in modern life. McCall Smith shares anecdotes revealing how Auden's poignant words have provided comfort and guidance during tumultuous times, making it a must-read for poetry lovers and literature enthusiasts alike.

Whether you're searching for reflection on life's fleeting moments or profound insights into unrequited love, this book positions Auden as a beacon of wisdom and inspiration. Dive into McCall Smith’s delightful discourse as he calls Auden the greatest literary discovery of his life and encourages you to explore what this iconic poet can do for you.

Order now to embark on a journey of literary discovery and personal enlightenment. Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled. Condition: BRAND NEW. ISBN: 9780691234533. Format: Trade paperback (US). Year: 2022. Publisher: Princeton University Press.

Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691234533
Format: Trade paperback (US)
Year: 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press


Description:


Bestselling novelist Alexander McCall Smith's charming account of how the poet W. H. Auden has helped guide his life — and how he might guide yours too

When facing a moral dilemma, Isabel Dalhousie — Edinburgh philosopher, amateur detective, and title character of a series of novels by best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith — often refers to the great twentieth-century poet W. H. Auden. This is no accident: McCall Smith has long been fascinated by Auden. Indeed, the novelist, best known for his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, calls the poet not only the greatest literary discovery of his life but also the best of guides on how to live. In this book, McCall Smith has written a charming personal account about what Auden has done for him — and what he just might do for you.

Part self-portrait, part literary appreciation, the book tells how McCall Smith first came across the poet's work in the 1970s, while teaching law in Belfast, a violently divided city where Auden's September 1, 1939, a poem about the outbreak of World War II, strongly resonated. McCall Smith goes on to reveal how his life has related to and been inspired by other Auden poems ever since. For example, he describes how he has found an invaluable reflection on life's transience in As I Walked Out One Evening, while The More Loving One has provided an instructive meditation on unrequited love. McCall Smith shows how Auden can speak to us throughout life, suggesting how, despite difficulties and change, we can celebrate understa

You may also like

Recently viewed