Voices & Visions (Voices & Visions (Audio))

Rating:
Summary: Interesting!
Review: I ordered this not knowing exactly what to expect, and it surprised me a bit: it's actually the complete audio portion of the Sylvia Plath episode from the public TV series on poetry, "Voices & Visions". There is narration, sound effects(as when the visual is a windswept moor, or the sea)-and what I think are two women reading the poems-one being the author herself, and I think one doing a sort of impression of the author-though I could be wrong about that! Also, snippets of interviews with Plath-fascinating stuff! There are small portions of "dead air", where the camera is panning somewhere or other, and you only hear ambient sound-but for me that just made for a pleasantly strange audio experience-appropriate for Plath, perhaps! I didn't mind any of this, but as a caveat I will say I did *not* know what I was getting when I bought it. I hopes this helps other browsers a little.

Rating:
Summary: Very interesting but the video is probably a better buy
Review: I, too, wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this item. If you've ever wanted to hear Plath speaking - not just reading her poems - you'll want to listen to this tape. There are excerpts of Plath's BBC interviews, as well as interviews with Plath's mother, Aurelia, Plath's former teacher Mr. Crockett, and a host of others. The information presented is not ground-breaking or earth-shattering, but if you have read as much Plath - or as much about Plath - as I have, it's quite interesting to hear the voices of the people you have been reading about, and to hear their first hand recollections of Plath the person and the poet. HOWEVER. The problem with this tape is that it is the audio version of the video tape. Without visuals and without a book or notes to assist you, it is impossible to know who is being interviewed. Is that Dido Merwin? Al Alvarez? A Smith roommate? This is quite aggravating! At the very least a book or liner notes could have been included with this tape. So based on that important lack of information, I still recommend the tape, but would urge you to buy the video instead, if possible.

Rating:
Summary: Sylvia
Review: They say that a work never truly comes alive unless it is read aloud, and it is certainly true in this case. Hearing Sylvia read aloud captures the amazing artistry and imagery in her poetry. This is definitly a 5 star book, and a welcome addition to the bookcase of any Sylvia Plath fan.