the river runs south/thru barrios and ghettoes and starched neighborhood squares
and everywhere the dogs howl
I don’t... read full description
and everywhere the dogs howl
I don’t... read full description
reviews
Mar 28, 2007
Kim
rated it: 
Not even the 10+ years I spent adoring Billy Corgan could save me from having a poor opinion of this book. It mostly reads like bad high school poetry that he wrote with a thesaurus next to his desk.
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Oct 03, 2010
Kameron
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Actually it's very disappointing. I had a lot of expectation when purchasing this book and it just didn't make as much of an impact, or any impact at all, to me as I foretold it to. I expected an imagination emphasis, but it didn't give me that emotion I feel when listening to Smashing Pumpkins. I don't believe reading this was a waste of time, it was just ok. It still entertained me, I just thought it would be much more than it is.
Not to mention poetry books are ridiculously expensi More...
Not to mention poetry books are ridiculously expensi More...
Dec 16, 2009
Cfsingers
rated it: 
I have always had a hard time pinning a number or opinion to a poem by someone I don't know personally. Mr. Corgan is an amazing lyricist which is why I bought this book through the mail the instant it was available (and had a friend get it signed by Mr. Corgan himself). It is his amazing powers of speech that beckoned me to tear through the book three times end after end look for a whisper of that same voice in the words printed before me. I was disappointed to find myself so disappointed. I wa
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Nov 27, 2009
Melanie
rated it:
I love Billy's work, I really do, but the poems in this collection are so disappointing, especially because they could've been so much better. A lot of great ideas, a lot of great sounds, a lot of great images, but the poems really need a good edit to make them stronger. In a poem everything needs to be tight because of brevity, and the weak parts really drag down the rest of the poem, over and over again.
I went to the poetry reading in Chicago, and one of these poems had a very powerful More...
I went to the poetry reading in Chicago, and one of these poems had a very powerful More...
Apr 06, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
The poems collected here truly evoke images of the tortured artist. From myths to lost loves to American cities, the subjects flow as wide as thoughts in a brainstorming exercise. But each poem is meticulous in its words and each word creates a sense of wonder in the reader. Corgan is perhaps more known for his talents as singer and songwriter with the band, The Smashing Pumpkins, making the poems most similar to his lyrics rise to the top of the collection. Music seems to gush out of these glim
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Jan 21, 2009
I basically bought this book just so that I could meet Billy Corgan at a book signing. I was quite poor at the time, and man, poetry books are expensive. Worth it though.
Mar 22, 2008
Hanaa
rated it:
Let me just say, as many people have, that I am a huge Pumpkin's fan. Corgan is truly a great songwriter when he is in love or in pain. But what the hell was up with this book? 'Blinking with fists' ? Really? What does that mean?
Those were the exact questions I asked myself while I read this book. Expecting to be impressed and head-over-heels in love with this book, I have to say it fell short and it didn't give me the goosebumps I thought it would. I must say, he is an above and beyo More...
Those were the exact questions I asked myself while I read this book. Expecting to be impressed and head-over-heels in love with this book, I have to say it fell short and it didn't give me the goosebumps I thought it would. I must say, he is an above and beyo More...
Mar 16, 2010
Lori
rated it: 
This book of poetry is written by Billy Corgan, who was the founder of the group Smashing Pumpkins. His words are a lot like his lyrics. He is a beautiful writer and lyricist.
Sep 25, 2007
Gene
rated it:
So, let me start by saying that I am a huge Smashing Pumpkins nerd. I've spent countless dollars and hours on just about everything Billy Corgan, no matter how obscure (or stupid) the project. I think the man is brilliant as a lyricist. When I heard he was working on a book of poetry, sure, I had a stiffy. Then I read the book and my dick went more limp than the prose.
Seriously, all I have to say is that if I wrote those poems they'd never be published. Outside of about two pieces, More...
Seriously, all I have to say is that if I wrote those poems they'd never be published. Outside of about two pieces, More...
Feb 16, 2009
Alex
rated it: 
Not much of a review. Just wanted to -once again and again and ... - profess my unconditional love for William Patrick Corgan. He can do no wrong.
Dec 15, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
More widely known as the singer from The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan's Blinking with Fists proves that his talent is not restricted to performance in vocals. This collection of lyrical poetry deals with a wide range of issues, from love to hate and back again--plus, of course, a nature poem or two to emphasis the healing power of the natural world. His carefully crafted insights into our world make him a must-read for aspiring poets or readers of poetry. It challenged me on my previous th
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Mar 05, 2010
Nikki
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I do love Billy's poetry, even if it doesn't make much sense. But he is one of my all time favorite song writers in the entire world.
Sep 29, 2011
Siti
rated it:
i remembered, at the very first, this book is hard to find. i've tried searching around borders and local bookshops. finally my friend sent me one. i like words sayings from billy corgan; but honestly i prefer to his lyrics from the smashing pumpkins songs even better.
May 03, 2008
sisterimapoet
rated it:
I've never classed myself as a huge fan of the Smashing Pumpkins, but what does appeal to me most on the albums I own is their lyrics and sense of storytelling within the songs.
As such I was interested to see how Billy Corgan comes across on paper. And generally I think the answer is quite well.
There were times when he seemed a bit overblown, and a spirituality is evident throughout which didnt appeal to me that much.
But there are moments of striking skill More...
As such I was interested to see how Billy Corgan comes across on paper. And generally I think the answer is quite well.
There were times when he seemed a bit overblown, and a spirituality is evident throughout which didnt appeal to me that much.
But there are moments of striking skill More...
Jan 08, 2012
Casey
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I liked this book but it's not as impressive as his lyrics. But anyone who loves Billy will like his poems.
Dec 09, 2010
Melissa
rated it:
Billy Corgan is a poet, it is only natural that he collect them into a book form as well as in his songs.
Dec 04, 2009
Don't
rated it:
You must ask yourself, "what runs throught Billy Corgan's head when he thinks?" It's THAT insane!!! :)
Mar 15, 2010
Kim
rated it:
I think I may have enjoyed reading Smashing Pumpkins lyrics more so than this book. But 1/2way through I read the interview in the new Rolling Stone mag, and a lot more of his musings seemed to connect after that. I may go back and give this one another try. Maybe with the SP playing quietly in the background..... ;)
May 11, 2008
Danine
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What I dislike more then seascapes is lame poetry about seascapes and there are several references to seascapes and the sky and it kinda made me want to throw up a little. Corgan can do much better than this. He's a complete ass but the boy can write. Unfortunately, I didn't find that genius in this book.
The date of this book is 2004. I felt this was earlier for some reason. There are a few poems that were great but nothing that really blew my mind like some of his lyrics have More...
The date of this book is 2004. I felt this was earlier for some reason. There are a few poems that were great but nothing that really blew my mind like some of his lyrics have More...
Aug 07, 2011
Pretty much, it's Smashing Pumpkins without the music. If you like that, get it. If not, don't.
Jun 20, 2008
Lorena
rated it:
I LOVE LOVE Billy Corgan. He is my favorite songwriter and musician. I think maybe Corgan was trying to hard to be like a "poet," you know the ones who get famous for writing poems about a red wheelbarrow and forgetting to be himself when he wrote. It sounds nothing like I expected. It is nothing like his lyrics-deep, beautiful and yet you can still find yourself somewhere in the meanings.
Sep 08, 2007
Myke
rated it:
I'm slightly biased, in that I love the smashing pumpkins. One of the major attractions I have to that band is the lyrics and Billy's songwriting. I love good lyrics and his are always enjoyable to read without the music playing behind you. His poetry follows along with his lyrics and matches that "genuine and heartfelt" feeling.
Jun 25, 2008
Zombaby
rated it:
The poems were very abstract, but beautiful!
While personally, I think that his best work
has been used in song lyrics of past,I
thoroughly enjoyed every poem in here.
While personally, I think that his best work
has been used in song lyrics of past,I
thoroughly enjoyed every poem in here.
