The Voice of the Poet
Before committing suicide in 1963 at the age of 31, Sylvia Plath wrote a bounty of work, including the final eight poems included in this self-read collection--described by Robert Lowell as her "appalling and triumphant fulfillment." This later work, as well as 13 additional recordings gathered here from Plath's short but significant career, are certainly triumphant: her prose is precise, scathing, utterly original, and mature beyond her years. Fortunately for listeners, Plath's voice mirrors her writing. She delivers "Lady Lazarus"--a piece about suicide, self-loathing, and her hatred for men--with a dagger-like cadence and clear, confident pitch. She describes a suicide attempt:It's easy enough to do it in a cell.It's easy enough to do it and stay put.It's the theatricalComeback in broad dayTo the same place, the same face, the same bruteDrawn from two separate recordings--one while accompanied by her husband, the poet Ted Hughes, in 1958, and one conducted shortly after their separation in 1962,The Voice of the Poetincludes a companion book containing the text of each poem, as well as an introduction by editor J.D. McClatchy. Listen to Plath read "Lorelei." Visit ouraudio help pagefor more information. (Running time: 1 hour, 1 cassette)--Rob McDonald