"The ultimate book for both the dabbler and serious scholar--. [Hughes] is sumptuous and sharp, playful and sparse, grounded in an earthy musi...
read full description
reviews
May 13, 2010
Madeline
rated it: 
Awesome and passionate and stirring and lovely, all in ways a 21st century Midwestern white girl probably isn't fully qualified to appreciate.
"Justice
That Justice is a blind goddess
Is a thing to which we black are wise:
Her bandage hides two festering sores
That once perhaps were eyes."
"The Negro Speaks of Rivers
I've known rivers:
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood More...
"Justice
That Justice is a blind goddess
Is a thing to which we black are wise:
Her bandage hides two festering sores
That once perhaps were eyes."
"The Negro Speaks of Rivers
I've known rivers:
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood More...
3 comments
like
(5 people liked it)
Oct 06, 2009
Shayana
rated it: 
Have you ever read something that made your face frown and made you think-what?! Well the poem Mother to Son by Langston Hughes did that exact thing to me. As I read this poem our face turned upside down. The struggle of the poem is the best. It was that the mother's life was really rough, she didn't want her son to go through what she went through.The Imagery, Man ! the imagery used in the poem is the common imagery that is used in everyday life. However, not thought about in that same way. Th
More...
Jul 04, 2009
Will
rated it: 
Harlem Renaissance! Jazz! Blues! Snap fingers and say yeah!
It's not that this collection is bad, just sprawling. There is no reason why anyone needs to read ALL of these poems. A great number of them are not poetic, i.e. you won't walk away from them thinking "What an interesting allusion! I'm pleasantly miffed! What was that about? I'll have to do some thinking . . ." Instead, you'll go: "Oh, another alternating rhyme scheme. Neat. Oh. It's only eight lines More...
It's not that this collection is bad, just sprawling. There is no reason why anyone needs to read ALL of these poems. A great number of them are not poetic, i.e. you won't walk away from them thinking "What an interesting allusion! I'm pleasantly miffed! What was that about? I'll have to do some thinking . . ." Instead, you'll go: "Oh, another alternating rhyme scheme. Neat. Oh. It's only eight lines More...
Oct 22, 2009
Jelinas
rated it: 
When I’ve seen someone do something really well, it often inspires me to try it for myself – especially as it pertains to writing. When I read a really good book, it makes me want to write fiction. When I hear a really good performance, it makes me want to write songs.
And after reading The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes, I want to write poetry so badly that all of my thoughts have been forming in blank verse for days.
I first discovered Langston Hughes in high school. More...
And after reading The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes, I want to write poetry so badly that all of my thoughts have been forming in blank verse for days.
I first discovered Langston Hughes in high school. More...
Aug 16, 2011
Bill
rated it:
Langston Hughes was a poet (and all-around writer) and an innovator of "jazz poetry," poetry with a jazz-like rhythm and form. His work often deals very directly with the black experience of his time and, as such, it is sometimes difficult for a middle-age suburban white guy who grew up in the 80's and 90's to understand what he's on about. For that reason, and perhaps unfortunately, it was difficult for me to connect with some of the work. That said, there is very much to recommend hi
More...
Mar 10, 2010
Larry
rated it:
Great book. About fifteen years ago I bought this anthology and I have read it over and over. The other reviews of this book caught the experience well. It's not just about jazz or the Harlem Renaissance, it's also about the way some African Americans felt when they read about the march on Selma or the Montgomery bus boycott.
This is not the typical poetry anthology. Hughes could write poems that were all over the place in style. He was also willing to take risk, experimenting More...
This is not the typical poetry anthology. Hughes could write poems that were all over the place in style. He was also willing to take risk, experimenting More...
Feb 18, 2011
John
rated it:
Read his earlier work, 1920 through 1940. My first time really reading through his stuff in any great depth. It tends to feel simple, especially his blue works, but there are a number of interesting pieces. At the time he was denigrated for writing "low" works or simple poetry; interesting to put him in the timeframe of Eliot, Pound, etc.
Feb 26, 2010
Charity
rated it:
I am insanely in love with Langston Hughes' poetry. My favorite:
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Jan 29, 2010
Queen Josephine
rated it:
The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes compiles the works of one of my favorite poets in a phenomenal collection of his work, both famous and lesser known poems. It has a chronology of his life and information which provides additional insight into his work. Read the whole thing in a matter of hours because I couldn’t put it down.
Jan 22, 2008
Megan
rated it:
The wisdom by which I govern my life, I find in the poetry of Langston Hughes. Beyond color, beyond era, this man sings a song of life which is in harmony with the music of my thoughts: it pulls me through the day-to-day drudgery, it whips me from my laziness and sadness, it ignites my rage against inhumanity, it laughs with my joy, and it shows me how to celebrate a life in all of its moments.
Each of us has a poet or poetry that will speak to us if we allow it to. So much of it seems inc More...
Each of us has a poet or poetry that will speak to us if we allow it to. So much of it seems inc More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
May 05, 2009
Kevin
rated it:
This book has it all. It is an illustration of the tremendous scope of Hughes' poetry. He was a writer in every since of the word. I constantly return to his work for inspiration. Every time I open it, I find something new. This is a book of treasures.
Jun 02, 2009
I've only had the opertunity to read a few of Mr. Hughes poems, but if I recall correctly some of his poetry really did move me. I would really like to read more of his works, but from what I've seen he is extremely talented.
Dec 12, 2008
Nascha
rated it:
A fine collection of Langston Hughes' work. Features the majority of his poetry. A definite must-have for all of his biggest fans.
Feb 15, 2010
Antonia
rated it:
reading him always opens up my mind a little more to the world and he always found the words to help inspire me when i needed it the most
Dec 19, 2009
Kristen
rated it:
My favorite poet - I pick this book off my shelves from time to time just to read some poems. He's deep and powerful but also readable.
Mar 04, 2009
Emily
rated it:
Well, mostly read, anyway.
Hughes's progression over his many years as a poet is quite impressive. If you're going to read Hughes, dig into stuff of his from different eras, and if possible, read some of the literary criticism on his stuff.
He groks on race, jazz, and a hundred other subjects, and he plays so effectively with form.
Hughes's progression over his many years as a poet is quite impressive. If you're going to read Hughes, dig into stuff of his from different eras, and if possible, read some of the literary criticism on his stuff.
He groks on race, jazz, and a hundred other subjects, and he plays so effectively with form.
Jun 24, 2011
Imani ♥ ☮
rated it:
Gosh, I'm such a nerd. There are many of Hughes poems that I know by heart. I just love him so darn much. He's awesome :)
May 22, 2009
Natasha
rated it:
Langston Hughes' poetry is magic. Anything else I say about it would diminish it. My favorite poet by a long shot.
Nov 27, 2011
Camille
rated it:
A book that belongs in every poetry lovers' house. He was brilliant and his poems withstand the test of time.
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Aug 08, 2009
it is sad when i get a good book title from watching Little Bill with my toddler just now!!!LOL :)
Jan 20, 2009
Amanda
rated it:
Another all time favorite. I've been able to quote the poem Mother to Son since the fifth grade.
Jan 28, 2009
jeanette
rated it:
I just really enjoy reading Hughes. His poems are so authentic and have such tempo - I think I would have loved Harlem in the 20's
Jul 16, 2008
Emilie
rated it:
When I teach American Lit., and more specifically the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes resonates with students more than any other. He has the ability to define the American identity, particularly for young readers, in a focused way that is unmatched. I had a student in one of my most challenging classes ever, raise his hand and say that he thought that the issues with violence in the inner city were just the "explosion or collision" of so many generations of "deferred dreams."
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 11, 2011
Ken
rated it:
It's a comprehensive anthology of Langston Hughes' poems, that's all you need to know.
May 20, 2009
Marlene
rated it:
This is my favorite book. Langston Hughes. Love him period. One of my favorite authors.
Jul 18, 2011
Ladonna
rated it:
Alot of his poems were very emotional and thought provoking. Some told stories of different "historical" events. I enjoyed reading most ot these poems, although so were a little to be-bop, I understand these poems were reflective of different eras.
I enjoyed them mostly because they told stories of wars, racism, how these eras affected African Americans and perhaps Americans in general. I learned alot about history through the writings of his poems.
I enjoyed them mostly because they told stories of wars, racism, how these eras affected African Americans and perhaps Americans in general. I learned alot about history through the writings of his poems.
Jul 26, 2010
Herbert
rated it:
Demonstrates how a time period and personal experiences influence poetry.
Aug 21, 2011
Tanya
rated it:
I really enjoyed his poetry. It was very rich and full of raw emotion. I also think that this is the way to read it. So much of his work is a direct response to the events of the day, and the organization by decade really brings that out.
