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The Book for My Brother
This newest collection of poems from Tomaž Šalamun is exuberant, ambitious, and full of surprises. Here the devil is encountered and understood-
I see the devil's head, people, I see his whole body . . .
he longs for innocence, as we do.
Here the poet juggles many tones, languages, and countries. Desire is evoked as both frustrating and exhilarating-
I'm watered by longing,...more
I see the devil's head, people, I see his whole body . . .
he longs for innocence, as we do.
Here the poet juggles many tones, languages, and countries. Desire is evoked as both frustrating and exhilarating-
I'm watered by longing,...more
Paperback, 108 pages
Published
April 3rd 2006
by Mariner Books
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I have mixed feelings about this book, but I'm giving it a higher rating than I normally would because it's a book in translation. Once can tell that Salamun is worldly and knowledgeable because of the breadth of his poetic subjects. I feel like his shorter poems are stronger than his longer ones, though, in one respect because often at the end of the longer ones he includes a line or two that offers the obvious moral.
Also, one can tell that Salamun is intelligent because his poems use phrases...more
Also, one can tell that Salamun is intelligent because his poems use phrases...more
Out of the 59 poems in this volume there were two that I liked, and only three additional ones that I didn't dislike. As I read them in translation, I will allow that the originals might be better but I doubt I'll be looking for more of this poet's work.
Some great poems, some indecipherable poems. If I could decipher them, would I find them great too? I don't know, but they sound like babble to me.
There are certainly poems in this book.
More of the same joy.
Tomaz Salamum's poetry seems to show up just about everywhere in the poetry journal world. So I thought it was about time to read one of his books. On my second, closer reading. I enjoy the odd leaps, the quirky juxtaposition of surreal and real. All the while, I mostly haven't a clue what he's on about.
Run out and find two copies of this book. Read one and give the other to your best friend.
I agree with Dan that this is the best collection of Salamun I've read, far better than the Four Questions of Melancholy. I still find it hit or miss in places, though. I also found it interesting that I could tell the difference a bit between translators.
All of my reviews of Mr. Salamun are the same. I, in my criticism, am a one-trick pony, and he, in his poetry, is also a one-trick pony, but what an entertaining trick. I haven't grown tired of it yet. How can it be shallow and endless at the same time?
Dec 11, 2007
Rebecca Child
marked it as to-read
I liked what I saw as I skimmed this at the bookstore. Got it for a dollar. I think I might actually give it to my brother, but I want to read it first!
Apr 21, 2013
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Tomaž Šalamun is a Slovenian poet, who has had books translated into most of the European languages. He lives in Ljubljana and occasionally teaches in the USA. His recent books in English are The Book for My Brother, Row, and Woods and Chalices.
More about Tomaž Šalamun...
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