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The Grasmere Journals

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The Grasmere Journals

By: Dorothy Wordsworth
Narrated by: Emma Fielding
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About this listen

This is perhaps one of the best-loved of all journals. William Wordsworth's sister, Dorothy, began it in May 1800 and resolved to keep it for a short time. She continued it for nearly three years.

In it, she brought the Dove Cottage years to vivid and intimate life. She noted the walks and weather, the friends, country neighbours, and travellers on the roads. She set down accounts of the garden, of Wordsworth's marriage, their concern for Coleridge, and the composition of Wordsworth's poetry.

Readings of some of Wordsworth's poems form the last part of this recording.

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An amazing listen. It was so relaxing to listen to. I'm amazed how ill everyone was all the time back then.

A walk through history

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This is beautifully read with a gentle captivating cadence. This journal inspired me. It was so good I bought a paper copy. I shall listen to this more than once.

Captivating.

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I very much enjoyed this it was a good introduction to the lives of the Lake District poets

Beautiful account

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love this , beautiful, restful, absorbing, quirky and breathtaking, the narration is literally the best ever , a wonderful book to listen to when resting at night

sublime

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Dorathy is the true poet. A visionary that inspired others. The gentle narrator is perfect (set any 80%) and has lulled me to sleep often. The snippets you hear, over time, gives you a real sense of place, people and the intense love for that is all around her. I would love to have the same narrator cover all of Dorathy’s writings. Give me Dorothy every time over her brother William.

The voice of poet never herd before

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This is a beautiful book in which Dorothy Wordsworth notes down the everyday details of her life in the countryside at the beginning of the nineteenth century. How lovely to hear the happy innocent words of a contented person. The first chapter gives a very helpful introduction to set everything in context. The narration is perfect as is the sound quality. Emma Fielding has a lovely accent, warm and gentle, perfect for this book. The introduction at the beginning and the poems at the end are read by Kenneth Cranham and Alex Jennings; these are beautifully read and I think that even people (like me) who don’t usually like poetry will enjoy them. Amazon gave me this audiobook free of charge but it is definitely worth buying. I will listen to it over and over again.

Relaxing and delightful

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The journals provide an insight into the domestic household life of William and Dorothy Wordsworth. And there is a certain amount of charm to the everyday. This seemed to consist of much walking, visiting, writing letters, sleeping (often at very odd times!), and sitting in the garden or orchard. Both Dorothy and William regularly suffered from various ailments, in fact, on an almost daily basis.
Due to the lack of any real depth to people's characters or thoughts and feelings apart from the pleasure of the landscape. At times the daily details can become somewhat tedious. I felt no wiser about Coleridge or William or Dorothy Wordsworth because it is thoughts feelings peccadilloes that bring a person's character to life.


Excellent Narration by Emma Fielding

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A comforting, calming diary of the Wordsworth's domestic life.

It is a diary of the everyday and of routine - taking a walk, collecting and sending letters, receiving guests and drinking tea, household tasks. There is rarely a dramatic event, and on the surface there is little in terms of personal depth. However, over the diaries we see Dorothy's devotion to her brother William, and various friends, through her everyday support and activity.

Emma Fielding's narration is perfect, and the accents she scatters across the reading are done well.

Comforting and charming diary of the everyday

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This is a wonderfully relaxing reading. The narration and description of country life conjure up beautiful images

Beautifully narrated

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Having lived in this area for 2.5 years recently, it would have been lovely to have had a more detailed account of life in the Wordworth's time. Such a lost opportunity. Rather repetitive, especially regarding the weather.....Easy listening regarding content and narration but had it not been written by Dorothy Wordsworth it would not have made it into print for dullness.

Interesting but could have been so much more.....

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