Try free for 30 days

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Great Poets: William McGonagall cover art

The Great Poets: William McGonagall

By: William Topaz McGonagall
Narrated by: Gregor Fisher
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $12.99

Buy Now for $12.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Editorial reviews

Scottish poet William McGonagall has become the butt of jokes, with his painful rhymes about battles, shipwrecks, and Scotland's scenery. Here the acclaimed actor Gregor Fisher adopts a pronounced brogue to bring McGonagall's poems to life, with amusing results. Fisher also reads illuminating passages from McGonagall's autobiography, which discuss his attempts at playing Shakespeare, the ideas behind his poems, and anecdotes from his travels and adventures. Those interested in Scottish poetry and history will find this a revealing listen.

Publisher's Summary

The idiosyncratic Scottish poet William Topaz McGonagall has the unusual reputation as one of the worst poets in the English language with rhymes and rhythms that produce mirth rather than wonder. His masterpiece is "The Tay Bridge Disaster".

Scottish-born Gregor Fisher, who starred in Love Actually and other film and TV programs, reads the key poems and passages from the autobiography - and gets deep into character!

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2009 Naxos Audiobooks (P)2009 Naxos Audiobooks

Critic Reviews

"Naxos Audio has not only provided a highly entertaining hour's diversion but has confirmed something that every teacher of English has always known: poetry - good, bad, or indifferent - can be appreciated most when read aloud. Gregor Fisher [gives] an intelligent performance." (SoundComentary.com)

More from the same

What listeners say about The Great Poets: William McGonagall

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.