Essays vs Poems: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: English poetry, Poetry

Cover of Essays

Essays Matthew Arnold · 1865 ★★★★☆ 3.9 380 pages · ≈ 7 h 02 m · Demanding Find on Amazon

vs

Cover of Poems

Poems George Meredith · 1851 ★★★★☆ 3.8 623 pages · ≈ 11 h 32 m · Demanding Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.9 vs 3.8 — either is a safe pick by score.
Essays is the quicker read — about 7 hours vs 11 for Poems.

Side by side