What W. H. Auden Can Do for You

Alexander McCall Smith

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: William Neenan

When facing a moral dilemma, Isabel Dalhousie--Edinburgh philosopher, amateur detective, and title character of a series of novels by best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith - often refers to the great twentieth-century poet W. H. Auden. This is no accident: McCall Smith has long been fascinated by Auden. Indeed, the novelist, best known for his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, calls the poet not only the greatest literary discovery of his life but also the best of guides on how to live.

In this book, McCall Smith has written a charming personal account about what Auden has done for him--and what he just might do for you.Part self-portrait, part literary appreciation, the book tells how McCall Smith first came across the poet's work in the 1970s, while teaching law in Belfast, a violently divided city where Auden's "September 1, 1939," a poem about the outbreak of World War II, strongly resonated.

McCall Smith goes on to reveal how his life has related to and been inspired by other Auden poems ever since. For example, he describes how he has found an invaluable reflection on life's transience in "As I Walked Out One Evening," while "The More Loving One" has provided an instructive meditation on unrequited love.

McCall Smith shows how Auden can speak to us throughout life, suggesting how, despite difficulties and change, we can celebrate understanding, acceptance, and love for others.

An enchanting story about how art can help us live, this book will appeal to McCall Smith's fans and anyone curious about Auden.

©2013 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

A Great Introduction to W, H. Auden the Writer

“What W.H. Auden Can Do for You” is a great introduction book. Alexander McCall Smith introduces W.H. Auden in his Isabel Dalhousie Series and the Ladies No.1 Detective Series and this book is a follow on introducing W.H. Auden and his writings. A very good and in-depth introduction and it provides numerous follow-on published materials for further reading about W.H. Auden. Experienced as an Audio Book.

Excellent presentation of insightful commentary on Auden

Grateful for the moving interpretation and explanation of the values expressed in Auden's work. Thank-you to author and narrator.

On the Power of Poetry, Mostly Auden's

This audio book makes you feel as if you were spending a snowy evening in Scotland in the home of a popular scholar-author, who is discussing his favorite poet and how poetry changed his life.

Alexander McCall Smith, famous as an author of mystery novels, acknowledges that W.H. Auden (1907-1973) is probably best known to the present generation for "Funeral Blues," the poem recited in the popular film "Four Weddings and a Funeral."

But McCall Smith wants us to come to know Auden as a spiritual poet, who at the outbreak of World War II wrote these lines for a refugee friend:

We fall down in the dance, we make
The old ridiculous mistake,
But always there are such as you
Forgiving, helping what we do.

If McCall Smith's love for Auden resonates with today's readers, the next step is to explore Auden's poems and find their own meanings in the timeless verses.

Wanting more!

I've had an interest in W.H. Auden's poetry, though I am not familiar with much of it - so this book seemed like a logical choice. And yes, it's sparked my interest further and helped me to see things about his poetry and his life that I was unaware of. My only thought is that I would have liked to get even more information and insight about Auden, his poetry, and the author's relationship to him.

A great introduction to Auden, so despite its brevity, I recommend it!

Exceptional

This book was published in September of 2013 on the 40th anniversary of the death of Auden. Wystan Hugh Auden (1907-1973), an English poet, won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1948, the Bollingen Prize in 1954 and many more awards over the years.

Smith tells about how he discovered Auden’s poetry when he was working at Queen’s University in Belfast. After he returned to Edinburgh, he went to a public reading by Auden in George Square. Smith goes on to tell about Auden and his poetry. Smith states that when he started writing novels he found himself quoting Auden, particularly in the Isabel Dalhousie, Sunday Philosophy Club series. Smith says Auden had an ear for the rhythmic possibilities of English and that there is an intense humanity about Auden’s poetry.

The book is well written and a pleasure to read. The book also provides me with a bit of insight into Alexander McCall Smith, the man and author. I was aware of the reference to Auden in AMS’s books, but this book has triggered me to look for Auden’s poems.

The book is very short at just about three hours. William Neenan does a good job narrating the book. Neenan is an actor and audiobook narrator.

An enlightened introduction to Age of Anxiety.

I have a kindle book to follow along. I am learning so much about Auden.

Auden for all!

Absolutely loved this book! McCall Smith’s enthusiasm for Auden is infectious and shines through on every page.
For those not familiar with Auden’s poetry and the turbulent times he lived through this is a great introduction.
McCall Smith is not practicing hagiography with this book but shows the reader an authentic Auden who through his poetry struggled to find meaning in a meaningless world.
Finally, McCall Smith shows us that by reading Auden’s poems we too, can find meaning and have the occasional moment where we can make sense of life.
The narrator did and excellent job.

Answered all my questions about McCall Smith

As a true fan of Alexander McCall Smith 's work, I have wondered about all the references to Auden. Now I understand. And I gained a greater appreciation for both Auden and McCall Smith.

Reflections on W H Auden

As a student who enjoyed reading WH Auden in the 1970’s, and a reader of Alexander McCAll Smith’s charming novels, this audiobook peaked my interest. Smith’s loving reflection on Auden does not disappoint. He reminds us why Auden’s deeply humanist poems are relevant—the charity, gratitude and sheer beauty of Auden’s verse enrich our lives, and articulate feelings that are universal and often, inexplicable.

Bought the book!

I loved it so much that I purchased the book so I can hilite and relish all the wonderful insights and connections.