Hiawatha

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Read by William Hootkins

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Longfellow’s great narrative poem has been unjustly neglected in recent years though it gives a sympathetic portrait especially of Hiawatha, reared by Nokomis, daughter of the Moon, and his bride Minehaha.

It is famously underpinned by its hypnotic rhythm, which makes it ideal listening.

“I started listening to Longfellow’s Hiawatha largely for a joke, hardly expecting to find myself so hooked that I wouldn’t want to stop. While the repetitive rhythms are easily parodied, they have a driving, urgent, almost hypnotic, quality that make this unabridged version of his narrative poem the perfect accompaniment for any kind of repetitive and strenuous exercise. I listened as I tramped through Wytham woods, Oxford, my lips mouthing couplets I knew, fascinated by the panoramic sweep through Native American folklore and legends. William Hootkins narrates with thrilling power.”

Christina Hardyment, The Times

  

3 CDs • Running Time: c.4 hours • ISBN: 9-62634-340-0 • Catalogue no: NA334012 • RRP: £13.99