Masterfully drawing on a variety of voices and characters, James Tate joyfully offers his first book since winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1992 for h...
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reviews
Mar 13, 2008
Steven
rated it: 
There is a lot to be said about the power of association in poetry. Some of the most poignant moments in contemporary poetry happen when the poet is skilled and brave enough to disconnect from narrative logic and leap to another plane, opening a new level of understanding in readers. James Tate is obviously aware of this phenomena and in this National Book Award winning volume attempts to create a speaker and persona who freely associates images from his environment with observations abou
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Mar 16, 2008
D'Anne
rated it: 
This is the first Tate book I have ever read. I had some passing familiarity with him via anthologies and such. I came across a used copy of this book while Laurie Capps and I were perusing the poetry section at a used book store in Charlotte. She recommended it highly and since I think highly of her I didn't hesitate to buy it.
Judging from this one book alone, when Tate is on he's really on. Poems like "Happy As the Day is Long" and "50 Views of Tokyo" are wonde More...
Judging from this one book alone, when Tate is on he's really on. Poems like "Happy As the Day is Long" and "50 Views of Tokyo" are wonde More...
Oct 26, 2009
Anthony
rated it: 
I was about 8 pages from the end of this book when my girlfriend, from whom I had borrowed it, dumped me, and I had to give it back. After the shock and heartache began to subside (so, like a week), I realized I desperately wanted to finish this work.
I'm glad I did. Once the reader gets the hang of Tate's style in this book, the poems just hum with potent atmosphere and almost tactile emotion. The majesty of Tate's work here is how he wraps his larger ideas, not so much in mundane, b More...
I'm glad I did. Once the reader gets the hang of Tate's style in this book, the poems just hum with potent atmosphere and almost tactile emotion. The majesty of Tate's work here is how he wraps his larger ideas, not so much in mundane, b More...
Dec 20, 2010
Paul
rated it:
I've read some Tate before, and these didn't really do it for me. I wasn't into the line breaks; I wanted straight prose poetry, son. Like one poem stuck out to me as amazing, but everything else was pretty cool still. Just not as good as I was expecting from my first full collection of Tate. I guess I should just read Collected. Cool, calm,
Aug 05, 2011
D.
rated it:
Probably my favorite volume of poetry. Changed the way I look at poetry and writing. and its wicked funny.
Nov 28, 2010
Russ
rated it:
I should come back to this after I'm a little bit more used to reading poetry. A lot of little things I liked, but nothing really grabbed me off the bat.
Jun 06, 2008
Timothy
rated it:
After a poodle dies
all the cardinals flock to the nearest 7-Eleven.
They drink Slurpies until one of them throws up
and the he's the new Pope.
-"How The Pope Is Chosen"
"Head Of a White Woman Winking" is the poem I've always wanted to write, damnit.
all the cardinals flock to the nearest 7-Eleven.
They drink Slurpies until one of them throws up
and the he's the new Pope.
-"How The Pope Is Chosen"
"Head Of a White Woman Winking" is the poem I've always wanted to write, damnit.
Nov 08, 2007
Mariochampion
rated it:
i really liked this book. some of the poems i would rate a 6 even, so that even with a 3 or a couple of 4s, it has to average the book to a five. Laurie and i just saw him read new work at the HRC, here in austin. Gotta love the HRC.
May 07, 2008
Eddie
rated it: 
These poems usually get boring before I've even finished reading them, though they're all very clear and neat. Chuckle poems... occasionally.
But then I think his first book or two are great.
But then I think his first book or two are great.
Dec 16, 2007
Colin
rated it: 
This collection is what the result of a beautiful car accident involving Wallace Stevens and Doctor Seuss.(OK, I'm being a little stupid; it's a great collection.)
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