Essays vs Poems: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: English poetry, History and criticism, Poetry, Literature

Cover of Essays

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

vs

Cover of Poems

Poems Oscar Wilde · 1881 ★★★★☆ 3.9 214 pages · ≈ 3 h 58 m · Demanding Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.9 vs 3.9 — either is a safe pick by score.
Poems is the quicker read — about 3 hours vs 7 for Essays.

Side by side