I seem to remember reading Lear at school. I don't know whether they still do or not. I enjoyed the nonsense as a welcome break from the 'serious' work.
Lear is a joy to read aloud. As an aunt, I have given illustrated board book editions of 'The Owl and the Pussycat' as gifts to my young relatives just so I can read it to them. Today I read 'The Jumblies' to one of my very young relatives. She fell asleep a few minutes later, lulled by the lilting nonsense.
Yes. I don't remember being read to as a child, except once when I had the measles and my grandmother read to me. I also recall an eighth grade English teacher reading to us at the end of the lesson, "The Snow Goose" by Paul Gallico and she could do the accents very well. I read to my children and grandchildren from their first days and still do if requested. I enjoy Audible books and find that listening to an old favorite gives it a new life. Perhaps it awakens something within us from the ancient days when tales were told by the fire.
Thank you for sharing that memory, Leslie. You've made me realise that I wasn't read to as a child (as far as I can recall). The last of six sons, my twin and I were encouraged to start reading very early. I now see that it was probably not because we were considered precocious (we weren't) but because it was our only way into books in such a busy household.
I absolutely love the idea that he made his second house the same as his first as to not upset his cat! That is the type of eccentricity I love to see in an artist!
Your post has stayed with me this week and it is sending me back to revisit his nonsense poems. I read them to my children and only have to think them to feel myself bouncing along.
Your voice is so soothing- I could listen to you read anything.
My father bought me the reprint of that book when I was young- and I know ‘How Pleasant to Know Mr Lear’ by heart. It all came back when I read the line, He weeps by the side of the ocean…
I read this the moment I saw it pop up in my feed Jeffrey! Huge apologies for only coming back now to comment, I have had one of those weeks I'm quite certain Edward Lear would have turned into an epic poem!
I adored EL as a child and being reminded by your wonderfully detailed post has been a delight - thank you! Safe travels, I hope we have the joy of reading about them very soon.
I have adored the owl and the pussycat’s adventures since I received my first childhood poetry anthology. Whatever I possess of whimsy or linguistic play (and I believe I received a rather large helping of both), I’m sure a great deal came from Edward Lear. Thank you for this beautiful, grown-up appreciation.
Congratulations on finding your constant treasure so early in life.
Thank you, David! Yes, Lear has been a joyful part of my life.
I seem to remember reading Lear at school. I don't know whether they still do or not. I enjoyed the nonsense as a welcome break from the 'serious' work.
I'd like to think Lear was still read in schools. But I somehow doubt it.
You bring the delightful Edward Lear to life, dear Jeffrey. Can't to hear about your travels, coming soon, I hope.
Thank you, Mary! I'm afraid my travels were for work...
Love this post, Jeffrey. I think it’s wonderful how you truly befriend the works of the authors you fall in love with. And the reading was a delight.
Safe travels!
Thank you, Holly!
Another great essay — thank you!
Thank you, Charlie!
Nonsense speaks directly to my heart! I love Lear’s endearing, jovial wanderers, and love that he brought some of that levity to your wandering too.
Thank you, Kimberly. I'm grateful to Lear for letting me sneak into his Nonsensiverse when the other universe gets too serious.
Nonsensiverse! I want to live there!
Lear is a joy to read aloud. As an aunt, I have given illustrated board book editions of 'The Owl and the Pussycat' as gifts to my young relatives just so I can read it to them. Today I read 'The Jumblies' to one of my very young relatives. She fell asleep a few minutes later, lulled by the lilting nonsense.
Thank you, Holly. The Jumblies is perfect bedtime reading/listening for children of all ages, isn't it?
I am so glad to discover this post. That a total delight Lear was. His paintings, especially of birds are exquisite. Happy travelling.
Thank you so much, Deborah!
I read Lear as a child and missed the underlying poignancy that you bring to life here. Thank you for reposting this revealing essay.
Thank you so much, Rona. I guess good poets can appeal to us in different ways at different times of our lives.
A perfect reading, I think I could hear when you smiled. I've never heard the poem read aloud and now it is your voice I'll remember.
Thank you, Leslie. I used to read Lear to my sons. Looking back, it was as much for me as it was for them.
Yes. I don't remember being read to as a child, except once when I had the measles and my grandmother read to me. I also recall an eighth grade English teacher reading to us at the end of the lesson, "The Snow Goose" by Paul Gallico and she could do the accents very well. I read to my children and grandchildren from their first days and still do if requested. I enjoy Audible books and find that listening to an old favorite gives it a new life. Perhaps it awakens something within us from the ancient days when tales were told by the fire.
Thank you for sharing that memory, Leslie. You've made me realise that I wasn't read to as a child (as far as I can recall). The last of six sons, my twin and I were encouraged to start reading very early. I now see that it was probably not because we were considered precocious (we weren't) but because it was our only way into books in such a busy household.
SIX sons! Oh my. I'm glad we both found pleasure in reading to others, if not by example, by inclination.
I absolutely love the idea that he made his second house the same as his first as to not upset his cat! That is the type of eccentricity I love to see in an artist!
A great read Jeffrey :)
Thank you, Michael!
My pleasure :)
Your post has stayed with me this week and it is sending me back to revisit his nonsense poems. I read them to my children and only have to think them to feel myself bouncing along.
Enjoy your time in his nonsensiverse, Nicola!
How I struggled to make sense of it all as a child!
I hope it was a happy struggle!
Trying to make sense of things was ordinary. The world seemed nonsense for the most part.
Your voice is so soothing- I could listen to you read anything.
My father bought me the reprint of that book when I was young- and I know ‘How Pleasant to Know Mr Lear’ by heart. It all came back when I read the line, He weeps by the side of the ocean…
Thanks for another great story!
Thank you, Jan, for those kind words. I'm glad to hear that the poem came back to you (unlike those birds in "Calico Pie" 😊).
I read this the moment I saw it pop up in my feed Jeffrey! Huge apologies for only coming back now to comment, I have had one of those weeks I'm quite certain Edward Lear would have turned into an epic poem!
I adored EL as a child and being reminded by your wonderfully detailed post has been a delight - thank you! Safe travels, I hope we have the joy of reading about them very soon.
Thank you, Susie! Glad to hear that this brought back some of the delight of childhood!
I have adored the owl and the pussycat’s adventures since I received my first childhood poetry anthology. Whatever I possess of whimsy or linguistic play (and I believe I received a rather large helping of both), I’m sure a great deal came from Edward Lear. Thank you for this beautiful, grown-up appreciation.
Thank you, Tara! I suspect many of us owe a similar debt to Lear.
He’s an “influencer” of the best kind. :-)