Romantic Visionary

by W.B. Yeats, O.B. Duane

Collects the works of the Irish poet, with a biographical introduction and a chronology

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and dramatist, and one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature. A pillar of both the Irish and British literary establishments, in his later years Yeats served as an Irish Senator for two terms. He was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival, and along with Lady Gregory and Edward Martyn founded the Abbey Theatre, serving as its chief during its early years. In 1923 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for what the Nobel Committee described as "inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation." He was the first Irishman so honored. Yeats is generally considered one of the few writers who completed their greatest works after being awarded the Nobel Prize; such works include The Tower (1928) and The Winding Stair and Other Poems (1929).

Yeats was born and educated in Dublin but spent his childhood in County Sligo. He studied poetry in his youth, and from an early age was fascinated by both Irish legends and the occult. Those topics feature in the first phase of his work, which lasted roughly until the turn of the century. His earliest volume of verse was published in 1889, and those slow paced and lyrical poems display debts to Edmund Spenser and Percy Bysshe Shelley, as well as to the Pre-Raphaelite poets. From 1900, Yeats' poetry grew more physical and realistic. He largely renounced the transcendental beliefs of his youth, though he remained preoccupied with physical and spiritual masks, as well as with cyclical theories of life.
--from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Sharon Huether]

Romantic Visionary By W.B. Yeats This book is a collection Of Yeats Poetry from 1889 to 1939. His poems got better as he wrote toward the end of his life. Some of his poems reflected a love not returned. My favorite in this collection is the" Winding Star ". A book of poems you can pick up 6 months later and just reflect on your favorite ones. I had this book in my library.

[Catherine]

An absolutely beautiful book comprising some of Yeats best works. The illustrations are vivid and really set the tone of the poems.

[Penny]

This is a lovely volume, particularly because of the illustrations, many of which were of paintings done by Yeats' brother. The book itself is old-fashioned in its character, with a color illustration facing each poem, which creates a romantic feeling if only skipping through the book. But you'll want to read every page.

[Z Szilagyi]

I enjoyed the poetry and the art. They both complemented eachother so well. I also appreciated the biography in the beginning to understand the poet.

[Kate]

2025.58

[Jack Coleman]

Inspiring little anthology with losts of historical and biographical detail.
My favourite poems were: The Stolen Child
He Wishes for the Clothes of Heaven
A Coat and The Mermaid.
library loan

[Abby]

This collection was quite small but excellent. I loved the mythic poems like "Song of Wandering Aengus."

[Chris]

Although I enjoyed a few of the poems, most of the time W.B. Yeats does not speak to my heart. Perhaps I just do not understand his genius.

[Sparkie Allison]

A nice collection of poems to relax and reflect on that I could read again and again and thoroughly enjoy anew each time.

[Gemma]

Some of my favourite poetry.

[Shannonmarie]

Yeats' poetry doesn't resonate with me, which I don't mean as a criticism of his talent. I did enjoy the illustrations in this collection.

[Himadri ॐ ˚꩜]

4.5
Screaming crying shaking some of these were so good this is such a good anthology collection.