Poems vs Works [37 plays, 6 poems, sonnets]: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: English poetry, Poetry

Cover of Poems

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

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Cover of Works [37 plays, 6 poems, sonnets]

Works [37 plays, 6 poems, sonnets] William Shakespeare · 1730 ★★★★☆ 3.7 2364 pages · ≈ 43 h 47 m · Demanding Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.8 vs 3.7 — either is a safe pick by score.
Poems is the quicker read — about 11 hours vs 43 for Works [37 plays, 6 poems, sonnets].

Side by side