The Poetry Pharmacy

Tried-and-True Prescriptions for the Heart, Mind and Soul

By: William Sieghart

Narrated by: William Sieghart

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Poetry Pharmacy by William Sieghart.

As heard on BBC Radio 4, the essential prescriptions from William Sieghart's poetic dispensary

Sometimes only a poem will do. These poetic prescriptions and wise words of advice offer comfort, delight and inspiration for all; a space for reflection, and that precious realization - I'm not the only one who feels like this.

In the years since he first had the idea of prescribing short, powerful poems for all manner of spiritual ailments, William Sieghart has taken his Poetry Pharmacy around the length and breadth of Britain, into the pages of the Guardian, onto BBC Radio 4 and onto the television, honing his prescriptions all the time. This audiobook presents the most essential poems in his dispensary: those which, again and again, have really shown themselves to work. Whether you are suffering from loneliness, lack of courage, heartbreak, hopelessness, or even from an excess of ego, there is something here to ease your pain.

'The book is delightful; it rightly resituates poetryin relation to its biggest and most serious task: helping us to live and diewell' Alain de Botton

'Truly a marvellous collection ... There is balm for the soul, fire for the belly, a cooling compress for the fevered brow, solace for the wounded, an arm around the lonely shoulder - the whole collection is a matchless compound of hug, tonic and kiss' Stephen Fry

Critic reviews

Beautiful . . . a slim volume of short, powerful poems “prescribed” by editor William Sieghart for all manner of emotional ailments, from parenting trouble to heartbreak. He also provides enlightening commentary on each poem (Hannah Booth)

Makes a strong case for poetry as the soul’s salve (Tristram Fane-Saunders)

The words in The Poetry Pharmacy have replenishing qualities (Fiona MacDonald)

I keep my copy with the brandy and aspirin (Jeanette Winterson)

Most beautiful and kind

This book, is incredible and most kind. I am most grateful to have been on the receiving end of such meaningful messages in poems.