THE VOICE OF THE POET Wallace Stevens

Stevens is indisputably one of masters of modern American poetry. Winner of nearly every major poetry prize, Stevens broke from strict poetic traditionalists, finding his rhythms and rhymes in natural speech and common words. This production includes a helpful introduction by series editor J. D. McClatchy, a brief biography with photos, and the texts of 14 selected poems. The poems begin in 1921, early days for the Imagist movement, and end in 1954, a year before Stevens's death. Although the sound quality is occasionally uneven, this remains a collection to hear more than once. The CD format is perfect for poetry. Listening to Stevens read his own work enhances what can only be called a literary treasure. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 02]