6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT IRISH WRITER STILL FRESHER THAN TODAY, July 24 2006
By C. Scanlon "least helpful reviewer" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Major Works (Paperback)
Jonathon Swift, a wonderful Irish satirist long before such great Irish twentieth century parodists, ironists and satirists such as Joyce, Shaw, WIlde and Beckett, served as an inspiration for much of what is best in our twentieth century literature. Particularly post-modern is his Tale of the Tub which first satirized the then new conventions of the printed book, as well described by PRof. Hugh Kenner.
This volume gives a full view of the spectrum of Mr. Swift's writings, beyond Gulliver. By the way, do read Gulliver unabridged (not Disney) to understand among other things how he put out the palace fire, and how he served as intimate toy in the land of the giants, and as always, get intelligent commentaries for fullest understanding and insight
FOr the greatest in English literature beyond Shakespeare, turn to the Irish, always, odd for a nation whose greatest tale-telling tradition and tour-de-forces remain spoken rather than written.
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good introduction to Swift, Jan 5 2007
By Juan Alberto Cadena - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Major Works (Paperback)
I like this book. It gives you a good introduction to Swift. If you like the man, which this book tries to present through letters, then you can later read a more complete book with his writings.
9 of 19 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
No Gulliver's Travels, July 7 2006
By William Jeffrion - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Major Works (Paperback)
I haven't yet read the pieces in this book, but I was disappointed to find out that this book does NOT contain Gulliver's Travels.
One would expect that Jonathan Swift's Great Works would contain his greatest work. One would be wrong.