The Dyer's Hand and Other Essays

by WH Auden
The Dyer's Hand and Other Essays cover
Good Books rating 3.67
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  • ID: 6521
  • Added: 2025-11-18
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • Published: 1964-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Dyer's Hand and Other Essays is a compilation of profound and engaging essays that explore the depths of human behavior, creativity, and the subconscious. The author's keen observations and analytical prowess shine through in each piece, offering readers a unique perspective on familiar topics. /n/n This collection is not just a series of essays but a journey into the mind of a brilliant thinker, touching on themes that range from the artistic process to the intricacies of the human psyche. It's a must-read for those who enjoy intellectual challenges and thought-provoking literature.

Reviews
Five Books · 2024-01-01
beautiful 4.00

The essays offer beautiful discussions on various subjects, including brief but insightful analyses of Wodehouse's work. The collection is a blend of critical essays and personal reflections.

This collection of critical essays by W.H. Auden is a treasure trove of insights. The essays cover a wide range of subjects, from literature to art, and even include some autobiographical elements. Two of the essays discuss P.G. Wodehouse, offering brief but beautiful analyses of his work. The collection is not just a series of critiques but also a personal journey through Auden's thoughts and experiences. It's a blend of intellectual rigor and personal reflection, making it a unique and engaging read. The essays are thought-provoking and offer a deep dive into Auden's unique perspective on various subjects.

Quick quotes

    This is a collection of critical essays written in the fifties

    Two of them discuss Wodehouse, quite briefly, but in beautiful ways

    The essays are thought-provoking and offer a deep dive into Auden's unique perspective on various subjects

Goodreads · AUDEN · 2023-10-15
insightful 3.50

The collection contains some of the best literary critique but also includes dull and labored sections. The essays are thought-provoking and insightful.

This collection by W.H. Auden is a mix of brilliance and tedium. Some essays are incredibly insightful and thought-provoking, offering a deep dive into literary critique. However, other sections can feel dull and overly labored. Despite this, the collection is a masterpiece of thought, showcasing Auden's unique perspective on various subjects. The essays are not just critiques but also contain autobiographical insights, making them a personal journey through Auden's mind. It's a book that requires patience but rewards the reader with profound observations.

Quick quotes

    The Dyer's Hand has some of the best literary critique I've ever read

    it also has some dreadfully dull and quite laboured

    A masterpiece of thought from one of the century's greatest minds

Cambridge University Press · E Jennings · 1963-09-15
nuanced 3.50

The essays are a mix of brilliance and tedium, with some sections being more engaging than others. The collection offers a deep dive into Auden's thoughts on poetry, art, and life.

Elizabeth Jennings provides a nuanced review of W.H. Auden's collection of essays. She notes that the essays are a mix of brilliance and tedium, with some sections being more engaging than others. The collection offers a deep dive into Auden's thoughts on poetry, art, and life. Jennings appreciates the intellectual rigor and personal reflections that Auden brings to his essays. However, she also points out that some sections can feel dull and overly labored. Despite this, the collection is a masterpiece of thought, showcasing Auden's unique perspective on various subjects. It's a book that requires patience but rewards the reader with profound observations.

Quick quotes

    The essays are a mix of brilliance and tedium

    The collection offers a deep dive into Auden's thoughts on poetry, art, and life

    The collection is a masterpiece of thought, showcasing Auden's unique perspective on various subjects

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