Melissa Balmain reminds me of Calvin Trillin. Both are timely (not timeless), clever and humorous. Her poems here cover events of the last several yeaMelissa Balmain reminds me of Calvin Trillin. Both are timely (not timeless), clever and humorous. Her poems here cover events of the last several years, including the election of 45, Covid and isolation, having teenage children and a long-standing marriage. No subject is too personal or off limits. A real joy to read!...more
An interesting idea. Some questions were clever and provocative; some just seemed silly or senseless. I guess they all had you thinking, even if the oAn interesting idea. Some questions were clever and provocative; some just seemed silly or senseless. I guess they all had you thinking, even if the outcome was that it was senseless. The illustrations may require a few viewings to fully appreciate. Some of the memorable questions: Why do rocks have so many wrinkles and so many holes? What irritates volcanos so much that they spit fire, ice and fury? Do unshed tears wait in little lakes? Where is the center of the sea? I thought about it for my 7-year-old grandson who is pretty sharp, but I think it is mostly beyond him. Maybe in a year or so....more
Because of Pushkin's standing in Russian Lit I want to like him more than I do. The poetic form of the work makes it harder for me to appreciate, and Because of Pushkin's standing in Russian Lit I want to like him more than I do. The poetic form of the work makes it harder for me to appreciate, and then this is an English translation of that into poetic form as well. So...a challenge. The translator, I must say, does an impressive job. And also intersperses relevant poems from Pushkin and other Russian writers along the way. The main reason I chose to read this was the translator's dialogue with the novel. This literally doubled the size of the work, as for every stanza of Pushkin, there was a "Reply" by the author, also in the same poetic form. It amounts to a sort of personal commentary on the work. I am thinking about doing something similar for a memoir I am editing, and so I wanted to see how this worked. I would say there was too much commentary--perhaps it didn't need to mirror every stanza. But it was an interesting idea....more
About what you'd expect--uplifting thoughts about change, cooperation and engagement, for children. Notable rhyme: "some courage...better bridge."About what you'd expect--uplifting thoughts about change, cooperation and engagement, for children. Notable rhyme: "some courage...better bridge."...more
Of the 10 "poems" this book covers, I knew half--"Iliad," "Odyssey," "Aeneid," "On the Nature of Things," and "The Divine Comedy." This did not inspirOf the 10 "poems" this book covers, I knew half--"Iliad," "Odyssey," "Aeneid," "On the Nature of Things," and "The Divine Comedy." This did not inspire me to read the others, except possibly Wordsworth's "Prologue," and maybe Chaucer's "Troilus and Criseyde" (which I did know from Shakespeare's version). I guess Van Doren's lectures didn't really grab me. For the poems I knew, I didn't feel I learned too much. He had the highest esteem for the "Iliad," which I share, but he didn't seem to get what I see as its (subtle?) critique of the heroic value system. Thersites is ugly and short, yet he speaks the absolute truth about the war. Silver-tongued Odysseus is unable to refute him, so instead he has to strike him down. Achilles refuses to accept the honor that would recompense him for the loss of his girl. He accepts a human connection with Priam to return the body of Hektor. The so-called Homeric value system is in fact the subversion of the heroic value system. Van Doren sees none of this. Some favorite lines: (p. 164, from the Divine Comedy): "May be thou didst not think that I was a logician!" (p. 224, from Don Juan): "I love wisdom more than she loves me." (pp. 247-8): "If poetry in our time is thought by most people not to be important, the reason is a good one. It is not about anything. Or about enough. Poetry has cone a long way since [the characters in these poems]. Poetry no longer lives in people like ourselves.... It lives in those who write it, and they are praised--when praised--for being different from us....The facts of life are found in story, which poetry has ceased to tell. When it recovers the art, it will pay its way again." I did agree with that....more
I wanted to like this more than I did. The various introductions and afterwords say lots of interesting things about how Wittgenstein's work inspires I wanted to like this more than I did. The various introductions and afterwords say lots of interesting things about how Wittgenstein's work inspires poetry, and the author is a well-read philosopher, as well as poet. But then, when it comes to the poetry, I can't quite get it. I'm sure that's mostly my fault, for being rather unpoetic. Oh, well--I keep trying....more
A brief lyrical/poetic essay inspired by the form of Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and Wittgenstein's experiences in WW1 as he wrote iA brief lyrical/poetic essay inspired by the form of Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and Wittgenstein's experiences in WW1 as he wrote it. The details are impressively accurate and feelings conveyed are powerful. ...more
As it says...not for kids. She takes traditional fairy tales, finds a twist, and offers it in rhyme. A quick read. The illustrations are great, and I As it says...not for kids. She takes traditional fairy tales, finds a twist, and offers it in rhyme. A quick read. The illustrations are great, and I especially liked The Peeved Piper and The Miller's Daughter....more
A set of lyrical reflections over a year of Sundays. The reflections are often initiated by outdoor walks (I think this was the original intent), but A set of lyrical reflections over a year of Sundays. The reflections are often initiated by outdoor walks (I think this was the original intent), but not limited to that. The year is roughly the academic year (August 2016-August 2017), though academia hardly enters the reflections. The reflections are very personal. Trump's election, for instance, makes no appearance, nor do BLM rallies. The author is a poetry professor and poetic lines from a variety of sources (noted in the back of the book) appear to shape or reinforce various experiences reflected on. There is hardly any continuity of subject from week to week. Perhaps the one thing that recurs regularly is the author's experience of something's being "undone" (as in "I came undone"). This seems to provide an opening for something new to be "done." Each week provides something worth reflecting on, and many weeks' reflections provoked me to thinking or feeling anew....more
Biblical poetry here means poetic language of the Hebrew Testament. Interesting chapters on Job, the prophets, and Song of Songs; less interesting chaBiblical poetry here means poetic language of the Hebrew Testament. Interesting chapters on Job, the prophets, and Song of Songs; less interesting chapters on Psalms and Proverbs. I enjoy the author's approach to Biblical language. Worth reading for its poetic insights, not its theological insights. ...more
I liked Bly's Iron John, and I want to like Bly's poetry. But the problem for me with all of it is that what Bly reads into fairy tales and poems seemI liked Bly's Iron John, and I want to like Bly's poetry. But the problem for me with all of it is that what Bly reads into fairy tales and poems seems so conjectural and usually barely plausible. I like the points he makes about emotionality and development of the soul, but I don't really see how he gets there. Perhaps it is connected with the larger issue that I have trouble seeing in poems what experts say is there to be seen. But I feel like the struggle is worth it--so I keep coming back to things like this now and then. For example, I just got Bly's Collected Poems for Christmas!...more
Another gem of a book by Wendell Berry (and illustrated by Wesley Bates). 8 poems about farming, and another short story (otherwise uncollected) aboutAnother gem of a book by Wendell Berry (and illustrated by Wesley Bates). 8 poems about farming, and another short story (otherwise uncollected) about the Port Royal community. I found it in a bookstore, and savored it in about 45 minutes. It is a tactile experience as well as a visual and reading experience. The poetry uses male and female as metaphors for the farming experience--perhaps too traditional for some people's tastes. But a meditation on farming that we consumers would do well to share. The short story reads like a quiet sermon, but is a set-up for a one-liner at the end. (The cover of my hardback book is actually the cover Goodreads displayed for the kindle edition.) Thanks, Mr. Berry, once more....more
I read this after reading Homer's Odyssey. This was a retelling in the author's own words that reorganized the story line, making it more chronologicaI read this after reading Homer's Odyssey. This was a retelling in the author's own words that reorganized the story line, making it more chronological than Homer, and cleaning it up and shortening it for children. I thought it did a fine job--and I would read this to a 9-12 year old. The best part, and the reason I read it, was the illustrations. I read it after I had read the real thing, so that my imagination illustrated the story initially. Then when I read through this I could examine the illustrations for what they emphasized, and compare them with my take on the scenes. I thought these were very well done. They had a flavor of Greek Archaic-age vase painting, and a flavor of cartoon. They were imaginative and in my view added to the story. I was glad I had it....more
Although I have read and taught the Iliad several times over the decades, it seems I had never read the Odyssey. I knew most of the scenes I guess thrAlthough I have read and taught the Iliad several times over the decades, it seems I had never read the Odyssey. I knew most of the scenes I guess through osmosis. I'm glad I read it. Usually I'm a stickler about translations--always looking for the best one. Usually for me that means the most literal one. For some reason there are not a lot of contemporary translations of the Odyssey. The one by Fagles The Odyssey from 1996 was the only one I could find. (In contrast there are a few new translations of the Iliad in just the last few years.) But since the Odyssey is so famous as a story, I chose this one, which does not try to capture the poetic or rhythmic aspects, since they tend to detract from readability for me. This translation was done by Lawrence of Arabia--a man who knew enough Greek, but more importantly knew the kind of adventurous, warlike life Odysseus lived. The story read very well. While reading this, I also read two other books--a commentary on the Odyssey Homer's Odyssey: A Companion to the Translation of Richmond Lattimore, and a children's illustrated retelling The Odyssey. I enjoyed both of these as well, and I have reviewed them separately. All in all, I loved reading these together. At some point I'll go back and read the Iliad again. ...more
Perhaps the one book that everyone should read. I first learned of it when a fellow W&M alum sent it to me when I was in grad school in 1976 or 1977. Perhaps the one book that everyone should read. I first learned of it when a fellow W&M alum sent it to me when I was in grad school in 1976 or 1977. Why she sent it to me I no longer recall. I certainly was not a poet, nor someone who thought of myself as any kind of artist. I was studying analytic philosophy in the citadel of that subject, at UCLA. Still, trusting her I read it…and loved it. I've probably read it a dozen times over the years, but only just now in the last 10 years. It is a book that easily bears re-reading. It addresses issues endemic to the human condition--work, loneliness (or solitude), creativity, the wish to succeed and the wish to love and be loved, spirituality. They are in no way limited in their interest to those who aspire to be poets. The recipient of the letters was 19 when he began the correspondence, and amazingly Rilke was only 8 years older than him! They are letters most relevant to young people. I was in my early 20's when I first read them. And I have given copies of this to at least two young people in my life who did aspire to creativity. I know one of them really loved the book. The idea of "Letters to a Young…" grew out of this book. If you search that phrase on Amazon (or Goodreads) you will find scores of books, for every "profession." I hope they were written by wise people. Rilke certainly, even at his young age, had wisdom. The "Letters to a Young…" that I have read are Mario Vargas Llosa's Letters to a Young Novelisthttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... , and William Sloan Coffin's Letters to a Young Doubterhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... . No doubt this book was the entryway to Rilke's other work for most. Be warned that his other work--poems mostly--is an order of magnitude more difficult than these letters. Ordinarily I guess you could say that Rilke writes for himself, or for God. In any case, for a being well beyond me! I continue to (try to) read his other work, but it's a real challenge. Perhaps he should have written "Letters to a Young Reader of Rilke's Other Work." ...more
A poet's take on poetry. Sometimes interesting, sometimes a bit opaque. Still, glad I read it. A poet's take on poetry. Sometimes interesting, sometimes a bit opaque. Still, glad I read it. ...more
It took a while for me to warm up to this--being in "verse" usually throws me off. But Nabokov's summaries helped keep me on track, and I wanted to reIt took a while for me to warm up to this--being in "verse" usually throws me off. But Nabokov's summaries helped keep me on track, and I wanted to read Pushkin, so I stuck with it. By the end I was enjoying it. This edition brings together 3 of my favorites--Russian literature, issues of translation front-and-center, and Nabokov. Nabokov says that he offered a literal translation that sacrificed rhyme but tried to preserve rhythm and preserved meaning at all costs. He used odd English words when Pushkin used odd Russian words, and Nabokov's command of English vocabulary is probably unequalled. I have dealt with translation issues in a Czech-to-English translation of Hasek's Svejk novel, where I was the English editor: The Fateful Adventures of the Good Soldier Svejk During the World War, Book Two and The Fateful Adventures of the Good Soldier Svejk During the World War, Book(s) Three & Four. We aimed for a literal translation in a way similar to this (though it was not poetic). I have also been interested in translations by Pevear and Volokhonsky of Russian novels that also aim for literalness. Nabokov has a good discussion of this in his Foreword. After finishing this book, I read Nabokov's "Reply to My Critics" (in Nabokov's Congeries). This is a hilarious reply to the many criticisms of his 4-volume critical edition of Onegin. He spends the most time dismantling a review by Edmund Wilson. Apparently the two were once friends to some degree, but Wilson's critical review struck Nabokov as so inane that Nabokov's gloves were now off. Anyone who appreciates academic and scholarly controversy will agree that this is a high point. I loved it. Which brings me to Nabokov himself. While I'm sure I disagree with his politics, his morals and his aesthetics, I still think he is one of the best writers I have ever encountered. This edition provides more to appreciate....more
Meaningful poetry of the sort I can get. A set of short poems in various styles written from the point of view of various figures in Leadbelly's life,Meaningful poetry of the sort I can get. A set of short poems in various styles written from the point of view of various figures in Leadbelly's life, including Leadbelly himself, his guitar, and even his music. It helps a lot to know about his life already, but there is a timeline/bio in the back...more
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