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ratings: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Poetry / Classic / Renaissance Literature

Book Review:
Most people know Shakespeare the playwright, but fewer know Shakespeare the poet. In his own time, he was just as famous for his narrative poems, especially ''Venus and Adonis.'' This collection is a must-read for any Shakespeare fan who wants the full picture of his genius. ''Venus and Adonis'' is a playful, sensuous, and sometimes surprisingly funny poem about the goddess of love's obsessive pursuit of a beautiful young man who just wants to hunt. ''The Rape of Lucrece'' is its dark opposite: a serious, tragic, and politically charged poem about the consequences of rape. The difference between the two is astonishing. The collection also includes the strange and beautiful ''The Phoenix and the Turtle,'' a poem that has puzzled critics for centuries. It's a fascinating glimpse into Shakespeare's poetic craft and the literary world of Renaissance England. This Cambridge edition is excellent, with detailed notes and introductions that help you understand the poems' context and language. Highly recommended.