York Notes on John Donne's "Selected Poems"

View books by Phillip Mallett.

Poetry explained - Rated
I had problems understanding John Donne's poetry, but York notes explains what they are all about, definately helped me get my A. As it includes themes, analysis, critical approaches and the author biography, I found it a very useful guide.

Poorly structured, shallow guide - Rated
Yorke Notes have been extremely helpful in the past, but this edition of selected poems by John Donne is very disappointing. It only gives a basic outline to his poems, covering one or two contextual points, but the structure of the poem is not analysed in satisfactory detail. There's no depth in its study and this is supposed to be an advanced guide. The only thing that's covered is a long list of old English vocabulary which is barely linked into the poems. On the other hand, there's some interesting material on John Donne himself and his life, as well as a few extended commentaries which exceed the quality of the others.

Nevertheless, York Notes should shame themselves on the production of such a half-baked, frankly rubbish guide to the much studied poetry of 16th/17th century John Donne.

It's already been donne (please excuse the pun) - Rated
In my opinion, this book contains nothing that, as A-level English student, you won't already know. It merely regurgitates all the Donne traits such as metaphysical descriptions, inconstancy etc, in frequently what is an embarrasingly patronising form. It doesn't even include analysis of many of the poems that are set at A-level. It would also be beneficial to consider that only 5 poems are analysed in detail, and the others are merely given a brief description, which tends to focus on content rather than style. Even these analyses, I found, were often insufficient. Devices frequently employed by Donne, such as hyperboles, paradoxes and absolutes were never even mentioned in this book, which is, on the whole, far too basic and over-simplified.

this changed my views on a-level english - Rated
each poem is explained in the detail needed for A-level work, essays will now become a million times easier, not only because of the notes on the poems but also because of the notes at the background of the life of john donne and his influences from all round, religious choices and literary influences. it also helps you understand any poem not only john donne by explaining how to read poems. All i can say is if you are doing A-level english you must own this book.