Lord Byron: The Major Works (Oxford World's Classics)
by George Gordon Byron

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Book Reviews of Lord Byron: The Major Works (Oxford World's Classics)

Book Review: Byron's Major Works, ed. McGann
Summary: 5 Stars

The most exciting Byron for today's reader is likely to be the writer of 'Don Juan', Byron's last epic poem (actually unfinished) -- "meant," as he wrote, "to be a little facetious on everything." Don Juan, as well as inspiring imitations (such as Pushkin's 'Eugene Onegin', one of the great works of Russian literature), must be the greatest piece of comic poetry in English. Following Juan in his adventures from Spain to shipwreck, to life with a noble savage, to glorious battle, the poem pokes fun at Byron's own society (favourite hate-figures are government ministers), rival poets (especially Wordsworth: "Explaining metaphysics to the nation: / I wish he would explain his explanation"), and humanity in general. The description of Juan's first bashful and confusing experience of love must one of the most accurate ever written. ("There were sighs the sweeter for suppression ...") Byron's voice adds a layer of irony, keeping up a pretence of disapproval at Juan's antics.

There are other engaging works here, including 'Cain', disagreement with which provoked Blake's last poem; and a selection from Byron's witty letters and somewhat melancholy private journals. As well as being a good selection of Byron's works, the text of this edition is taken from McGann's recent scholarly edition of Byron's poems. As if that wasn't enough reason for buying it, it's a few quid cheaper than when I bought it!

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