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Summary: Wonderful poetry, capturing the full sense of the emotional
Review: "This is my Beloved," published during WWII, captures the full sense of the emotional and physical aspects of a doomed love, the joy of time together and the despair at the end of the affair. This is continued in the second volume, "No Greater Need," which is out of print. Both should be required reading for those who understand or have experienced such deep committments or who have lost their soulmate. One reviewer noted that "This is my Beloved" was recorded by Lawrence Harvey, and this is true. It was an excellent reading. However, there is a second recording, done by Arthur Prysock. It is a censored verson of Benton's poetry (some of the more descriptive lines left out and some poems merged in the reading) and Prysock does not always read the lines as one would expect, but it's still captures much of Benton's emotion and the musical background adds a lot. It's worth the few bucks for the CD.
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Summary: Highly recommended
Review: Beautiful book of poetry, has a 1940s atmosphere.
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Summary: If one must love, then let it be in this way
Review: I first came across this work late one night when my father, just in from a very long hard day of work, sat in our dark living room nursing a short glass of scotch while Arthur Prysock's recording of This Is My Beloved spun on the turntable. The captivating words, though not yet understood by my young mind, wove a spell about me as I sat in my pajamas there in the hallway, unwilling to disturb my father in that quiet moment. Years later, when I lost the first love of my life. I asked my father about the record. He strode over to his cabinet - the one with all of his 'priceless' records - and put the tattered record jacket into my hands. As he handed the record to me, he rested his other hand on my shoulder and said, "Son, if you must love, love like this". Those words, especially from a man that didn't usually have much to say, touched me deeply. The sheer poetic power of Benton's words and majesty of his unique phrases also has touched me deeply over the years. It eventually led to a lifelong love of literature and a degree in English Literature. As with other masterpieces that speak to the soul, I discover a new gem with each reading. Throughout my life and loves, I've never been without a copy. It's the quintessential definition of love's pain and the bittersweet memories it leaves, like the tang of a lemon on your tongue. ..and as for the music, the recording by Prysock is now in my "priceless" cd collection, but I do have another copy, unopened, for when my son loses his first love.
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Summary: Evocative. Very Powerful!
Review: I grew up hearing my father read this to my mother. I have both his original copies. I have read it several thousand times. I used to cry that he lost his love. Then I envied Lillian, to be loved like that! How could she have left? Such a poignant story. The writing is so powerful. His descriptions of her are so full of love. How could he go on without her? I feel his pain every time I read it, but I also feel the incredible love he felt for her. I want to be her when I read it. I want to tell him I'll stay with him forever. I want to tell him I love him.
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Summary: Most beautiful book of Blank Verse ever published
Review: I read this book when it was originally published and always gave it to friends. During a very down period after the loss of my husband, I woke up tonight thinking of how many times we read this together and I thought I might never find a copy. It should be required reading for every married couple.
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Summary: Read over and over, then years later...understanding arrives
Review: Mark Hamilton enscribed a copy on 3 July 1964 To Jeanne, My Beloved, Mark. This birthday was like no other. Reading the words, seeing the images and feeling beloved stopped time. The blush from head to toe as I was younger in years and knowledge than I am now, recurred each time I read this book. It has been on the shelf for years now; periodic readings have not diminished the force of feeling beloved or loving another as Walter portrays. I picked it up 2 December 1997, noticed for the first time such details as printed in 1943, reprinted twenty nine times and, of course, Knopf name which always spelled quality to me. Curious as to whether this book could work its magic, I read August 9 entry about the forgetting in each season, a favorite, and wept. Reading the other journal entries of love found, lost, found and lost ever more, I came here to order another copy or two as the magic continues. I have been learning to write poems by writing them. Walter's poems suggest I have a ways to go before my beloveds over time are as well enshrined.
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Summary: If your heart has been broken...
Review: My mother gave this book to me after I lost the first great love of my life. It had originally been a gift to her by her lover, and I hope to give it to someone as special in my lifetime. "This Is My Beloved" was the deep breath I needed before moving on with my life.
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Summary: Whether you've found love, or lost love, read this book!
Review: No other love poem has ever moved me as much as This is My Beloved. I had two copies, gave a friend one, and plan to buy another because I left my copy behind when I left the US a year ago.But if you want to have your cake and eat it too, you should listen to the LP with music by Herbie Mann, if I remember correctly after 20 or more years, and the late Laurence Harvey. I don't know if the record is available. This is My Beloved always takes me to another place. It's always better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
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Summary: Reaching into my heart
Review: Seldom have I ran from the truth. This book-these words made me run and weep that I had never experienced such completely transforming love. I so aprreciate the opportunity to live in someone eles's joy knowing that the pain that he describes will only be his. This is the greatest writing of passion and emotions to ever be rendered on paper and every one who would love should go by here first. "... to be loved to sleep." The appropriateness of the thought beads sweat on my forehead.
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Summary: Reaching into my heart
Review: Seldom have I ran from the truth. This book-these words made me run and weep that I had never experienced such completely transforming love. I so aprreciate the opportunity to live in someone eles's joy knowing that the pain that he describes will only be his. This is the greatest writing of passion and emotions to ever be rendered on paper and every one who would love should go by here first. "... to be loved to sleep." The appropriateness of the thought beads sweat on my forehead.
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