Ode to London: Poems to Celebrate the City

by Jane McMorland Hunter (Editor)

“Earth hath not anything to show more fair,” enthused William Wordsworth of London, while to Lord Byron it was “the Devil's drawing-room.” Ode to London collects a selection of paeans to England's august capital from a veritable “Poet's Corner,” including beloved authors like William Blake, Rudyard Kipling, Mary Robinson, and more, accompanied by beautiful illustrations of the city. From Big Ben and the Blitz spirit to red double-decker buses, here is London immortalized in verse by those who have known and loved her best.

Genres: Poetry, London

96 pages, Hardcover

First published August 7, 2012

Reviews

[Azelyn Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It is a goodly sight through the clear air,
From Hampstead’s heathy height to see at once
England’s vast capital in fair expanse”
—“London” by Joanna Baillie

I don’t read nearly as much poetry as I should. But having not grown up reading it, it’s hard to know where to start. I came to enjoy poetry in college, and I feel like I’m just now delving into collections of poetry. So brace yourself for an amateur's opinion.

I definitely enjoyed reading this more than I did any anthology. Instead of chronological order, the poems are organized by theme, making it easier to read the book from cover-to-cover. And it’s short enough that I didn’t need to use a bookmark, even though I took a little over a week to finish it. Reading it from front-to-back was certainly a pleasure, as it opens with Don Juan (from Don Juan by Lord Byron) coming to London and closes with a poem on leaving (“Leaving” by Thomas Moore).

Therefore, the book in itself is a journey.

While I read it during my stay in Tel Aviv, Israel, I could picture the cooler streets of London, England vividly, having been there twice before. Of course, now I want a collection of travel poetry on Israel, particularly on Jerusalem or on the Holy Land as a whole.

This book was a lot easier to understand having been there. I am familiar with the proximity of Westminster to St. Pauls Cathedral. I’ve felt the humidity of London in the peak of summer. I’ve lived in England during the strange times of winter and spring. But there’s still so much more to learn and discover!

In all, my favorite poems had to be “Arriving at London” (excerpt from Don Juan, Canto X, Verses LXXXI-LXXXIII) by Lord Byron, “The River’s Tale” by Rudyard Kipling, “Miss Hamilton in London” by Fleur Adcock, “Busopher Jones: The Cat About Town” by T S Eliot, and “London Sparrow” by Eleanor Farjeon. Now I want to read all of Don Juan.

I gave this collection 4/5 stars for being a great introduction to poetry about London but being slightly biased. As Jane Hunter, the editor, wrote in the introduction, “As this is Ode to London I have unashamedly omitted any poems that I felt did not flatter the city.” I believe a more rounded collection of poems would have been a more accurate presentation. I also wish the book was a bit longer. (It’s not even 100 pages.) I would recommend this book to anybody interested in short, travel-sized collections of poetry and for those who enjoy the vast city of London.

[Marelis Salazar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed more the illustrations than the actual poems.

[Asma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as a gift some years ago, and I thought it was time to pick it up. I absolutely loved the selections, which varied from really old, to the modern, and all capturing difference facets of this beautiful city. The illustrations included with each poem was also beautiful to look at. As someone who's visited the city and walking through its street, I couldn't help feeling that this was exactly how London felt.

This book is cumulation of beautiful work, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to marvel at the city of London through words.

For more book reviews, please visit my blog A Reading Kabocha.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

The majority of the poems I felt were selected - revealing so many sides of the London we currently know and all those London's passed away. But I think the patriotism it has instilled is best expressed in the simple and short words of Moore (who else) when he says:

Go where we may, rest where we will,
Eternal London haunts us still (1819)

[Sarah-Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A neat wee reminder of my time in London : a lovely way to remember some of the sights & feelings evoked in the greatest city in the world . I loved the illustrations too ! I don't really "get" most poetry , but I enjoyed reading it & feeling educated !

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Für mich eine der schönsten (inhaltlich & optisch) Anthologien, die ich besitze. Definitiv DAS Buchgeschenk für alle London-Verliebten! :)