Early Occult Memory Systems of the Lower Midwest: Poems
by B.H. Fairchild
published
June 2004
by W. W. Norton & Company
edit
binding
Paperback, 142 pages
literary awards
Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry (2004); National Book Critics Circle Award (2002)
isbn
0393325660
(isbn13: 9780393325669)
description
B. H. Fairchild's memory systems are the collective vision of America's despairing dreamers—failed baseball players, oil field laborers, a surrea...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 65)
Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
blue-collar fetishists and sympathizers nationwide
the opening poem is downright fantastic.
After "The Art of the Lathe" I became a fan, and this book, which follows that one, seems at first to be a continuation of many of its themes, at times hitting on some truly unforgettable poems and at other times wandering around in somebody-should-have-edited-this territory. The book makes you think about how a traditional collection of poetry is not really about anything but the themes which accidentally drift through the poet's cons...more
After "The Art of the Lathe" I became a fan, and this book, which follows that one, seems at first to be a continuation of many of its themes, at times hitting on some truly unforgettable poems and at other times wandering around in somebody-should-have-edited-this territory. The book makes you think about how a traditional collection of poetry is not really about anything but the themes which accidentally drift through the poet's cons...more
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Read in January, 2003
A beautiful collection of poetry that I almost but not quite rate 5 stars. In long story-poems, like the 28-page "The Blue Buick," he posits that we create oursleves out of our own and others' memories. Other strong selections amke the same point while examining the experience of growing up in 1950's Kansas just above the Oklahoma Panhandle in an area known as No Man's Land.
I am not able to explain my affinity for certain poetry as easily as I can with prose works, and I am not nor...more
I am not able to explain my affinity for certain poetry as easily as I can with prose works, and I am not nor...more
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Read in November, 2007
This 2003 offering from crusty Texan B. H. Fairchild goes straight to the top shelf of contemporary American verse. Fairchild's voice effortlessly combines the lyrical with the gritty, marrying a Westerner's laconic fatalism to the inchoate yearnings of the true romantic. Lonesome plains, deserted roads, tall tales, cars, jazz, baseball, liquor, sex…Early Occult is a fever dream of a lost America, the one that fell between the armrests of a beer-stained movie theater in Topeka, Kansas circa 19...more
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Read in January, 2006
"The letter L, that narrow waisted, small breasted Audry Hepburn of consonants" B.H. Fairchild is in love with the sound of words, and this entire book is as much fun to read out loud as the first page of "Lolita" (Yes that Nebokov book is more about the English language than the characters). The subject matter is very manly: oil rigs, Fords, and dust. All used to paint a self portrait that is the most satisfying book I have read in a long time.
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Read in April, 2008
Some great poetry here. I am sure it will find its way into my sermons. The best poet I have read in a long time, then again, I haven't read poets in a long time. Regardless, Fairchild is a joy to read.
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Read in March, 2006
It just might tie Frank O'Hara's Complete Poems for my favorite book of poetry. If you have the opportunity to see Fairchild read, do yourself the favor of taking it.
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