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65th out of 185 books
—
185 voters
Howl
Now a Major Motion Picture
First published in 1956, Allen Ginsberg's "Howl" is a prophetic masterpiece--an epic raging against dehumanizing society that overcame censorship trials and obscenity charges to become one of the most widely read poems of the century.
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
August 31st 2010
by Harper Perennial
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Rating: 4.5* of five
The Book Description: First published in 1956, Allen Ginsberg's "Howl" is a prophetic masterpiece--an epic raging against dehumanizing society that overcame censorship trials and obscenity charges to become one of the most widely read poems of the century.
My Review: This comic book...oh dear do pardon, Graphic Novel...was a Yuletide gift, so I sorta hadda look at it and oooh and aaah.
Thing is, I meant it. The film of Howl with yummy-looking intellectual James Franco as Alle...more
The Book Description: First published in 1956, Allen Ginsberg's "Howl" is a prophetic masterpiece--an epic raging against dehumanizing society that overcame censorship trials and obscenity charges to become one of the most widely read poems of the century.
My Review: This comic book...oh dear do pardon, Graphic Novel...was a Yuletide gift, so I sorta hadda look at it and oooh and aaah.
Thing is, I meant it. The film of Howl with yummy-looking intellectual James Franco as Alle...more
Nov 07, 2010
Eldan Goldenberg
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who thinks their disaffection is remotely new.
I read the poem as a teenager, and I've gradually been getting more interested in graphic novels, so when I saw a graphic novel version--with Ginsberg's involvement, so I knew it wouldn't be a horrible hack job--in Powell's recently I couldn't resist.
The poem is just as viciously powerful as when I first read it; though I can only imagine it would have had more impact when it was published, in 1956. The only detail that marks it as in any way dated is the repeated references to typewriters. The...more
The poem is just as viciously powerful as when I first read it; though I can only imagine it would have had more impact when it was published, in 1956. The only detail that marks it as in any way dated is the repeated references to typewriters. The...more
5 likes · like · see review
I have no use whatsoever for poetry unless it's set to music and called lyrics. So, really, for me, three stars out of five is a tour de force. How I got to this stage of my life without reading beat poetry is easy to explain: I quit college too early, never did drugs save booze, and I am a recluse.
Five stars for the poem, one star for the graphics and typography. This book is patently NOT the way to read this poem. Howl is momentum; Howl is movement; Howl is a wall of words that knocks you down and ties you up. This book was full of stills plucked from an animation and breaks up the wall of words over hundreds of pages. Both choices disservice both the poem and animation. The poem ends up broken into pieces. The pictures are indistinct and poorly composed, because they were never meant to...more
I've never really been much of a poetry reader...don't know why. I guess I'm not much on symbolism. So, this edition was nice because it did a lot of explaining with the pictures. Don't let the title: A Graphic Novel fool you. The pictures weren't drawn for the book and you can tell they are from the film. But I have to say that the first part of the poem (it's in three) was heart-breaking. Living how they did, it's amazing that any of them lived as long as they did and it's almost worse for the...more
Read this while sitting in City Lights bookstore in San Francisco :) I'm not a big poetry person, but I did enjoy it and feel like it deserves a reread. The first part was moving and I liked the pictures accompanying it. The second part made me feel like, "Damn that Moloch!" I think the movie will be interesting to see.
1 like · like · see review
Brilliance. The only thing that I would have liked more would have been 100% hand-drawn art rather than computer assisted work. Still breathtaking, though. HIGHLY recommended.
As much as I try, I can't get into the Beat Poets, or into Beat literature. I read Howl and Other Poems, and while some of it resonates with me - the greed and desire for conformity so prevalent in our society - but some of it is completely inaccessible.
I thought I'd take a crack at this graphic novel of Ginsberg's popular poem, using animation from the motion picture.
I enjoyed the art; and I don't know if Howl was more accessible because of that or because it was the second time I'd read it....more
I thought I'd take a crack at this graphic novel of Ginsberg's popular poem, using animation from the motion picture.
I enjoyed the art; and I don't know if Howl was more accessible because of that or because it was the second time I'd read it....more
My first exposure to this poem. The art style isn't one I usually enjoy--but I could feel the beat movement in the rhythm of Ginsberg's words.
1 like · like · see review
Do I comment on the art or the poem? Unlike some graphic novels where the two are one, I find a distinct difference between my feelings for each.
Ok, let's start with the poem. This is not my first reading of Howl. I was probably a little too young when I read it for the first time though, if I'm being honest. Rereading it as a (slightly) older individual who now knows the context and the history and the back-story, not only of Ginsberg but of the Beat movement as a whole, I can honestly say th...more
Ok, let's start with the poem. This is not my first reading of Howl. I was probably a little too young when I read it for the first time though, if I'm being honest. Rereading it as a (slightly) older individual who now knows the context and the history and the back-story, not only of Ginsberg but of the Beat movement as a whole, I can honestly say th...more
Oct 26, 2012
Samuel Ch.
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Samuel by:
Argelia
Shelves:
biblioteca
Hace tiempo que había perdido el apetito por leer poesía (me permito culpar a la tesis de ello). Y es que me costaba trabajo fotografiar las imágenes intencionadas y cargadas de significado y relevancia. Llámenme mal lector, lo que quieran, pero las ilustraciones de Drooker me fueron guiando mientras Ginsberg me decía que cosas ocurrían frente a mis ojos.
Allen Ginsberg captura personas incapturables, marginadas y desprendidas de la realidad. Las abraza, las define y le da sentido a su insabora v...more
Allen Ginsberg captura personas incapturables, marginadas y desprendidas de la realidad. Las abraza, las define y le da sentido a su insabora v...more
As a representation of the Beatnik era - breathy, artsy drug fueled reflections on the dystopian angst of the age - this poem says it all.
I spent quite a bit of time researching it actually. Didn't really know that much about it, truthfully. Thank goodness for the internet - I got a stanza by stanza breakdown of it all, so by the end of it I could actually appreciate it. Also - as an aside - try to read it in the single breathe technique it was written for. Makes a difference on how it actually...more
I spent quite a bit of time researching it actually. Didn't really know that much about it, truthfully. Thank goodness for the internet - I got a stanza by stanza breakdown of it all, so by the end of it I could actually appreciate it. Also - as an aside - try to read it in the single breathe technique it was written for. Makes a difference on how it actually...more
--Audio versions: http://www.allenginsberg.org/index.ph...
http://writing.upenn.edu/pennsound/x/...
This review pertains to the 2010 paperback edition, high school use with discretion.
This is a graphic novel based upon Allen Ginsberg’s poem, which was the focus of a landmark obscenity trial in 1956. Judge Clayton Horn ultimately ruled that the poem was not obscene. Divided into three parts, this influential poem challenged intolerance, conformity, and societal limits upon personal freedom.
Howl...more
http://writing.upenn.edu/pennsound/x/...
This review pertains to the 2010 paperback edition, high school use with discretion.
This is a graphic novel based upon Allen Ginsberg’s poem, which was the focus of a landmark obscenity trial in 1956. Judge Clayton Horn ultimately ruled that the poem was not obscene. Divided into three parts, this influential poem challenged intolerance, conformity, and societal limits upon personal freedom.
Howl...more
I enjoyed reading this poem, even though it was difficult sometimes, as well as morbid and full of angst. The words and language are so rich, I found myself savoring them at times, rereading lines in order to unpack their meaning and meander on their wonderful combinations.
It starts with:
I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness...
...starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves though the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix, (p. 18-19)
This lays out the theme for t...more
It starts with:
I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness...
...starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves though the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix, (p. 18-19)
This lays out the theme for t...more
Não sendo um apaixonado por poesia, conhecia a fama de Allen Ginsberg mas nunca havia lido nada da sua obra. Howl é uma das obras seminais do movimento beat, que desconhecia apesar de ser fã confesso de William S. Burroughs e de On The Road de Kerouac.
Esta adaptação não é precisamente uma obra pensada como uma sinergia entre palavras e ilustração. É uma reciclagem desavergonhada de fotogramas da curiosa animação que integra o filme homónimo, ainda por estrear, que aborda Ginsberg e o momento de...more
Esta adaptação não é precisamente uma obra pensada como uma sinergia entre palavras e ilustração. É uma reciclagem desavergonhada de fotogramas da curiosa animação que integra o filme homónimo, ainda por estrear, que aborda Ginsberg e o momento de...more
I do admire the artist for the successes that he had, truly. I think the illustrations do a good job of capturing the bleak, dour mood of 'Howl.' I can also appreciate his desire to make this poem interesting to young adults today, especially because of how dated the 'extremity' of it feels in comparison to the utterly obscene nature of poetry and fiction in the postmodern era. I didn't love the use of uber-modern styling for the art here, but I get what he is trying to achieve.
Still, my main me...more
Still, my main me...more
Allen Ginsberg's classic poem Howl as a graphic novel. Get the novel and get the movie, Howl, starring James Franco, for a adding the graphical depths to a fantastic poem. Poetry and pictures belong together.
5 stars for the poem and 1 star for using stills from the movie animation add up to a 3 star review. See the movie, read the poem.
All due respect to the poem encased in this book. My critique comes from the book as a whole.
Images in this graphic novel were quite literal in their adherence to the words of the poem. So much so that I think my wandering brain suffered for that. The changes from page to page jarred me, especially in Part I.
"Howl" is a better read without pictures at this point.
The final part, the epilogue, nixes my critique with a good mix of imagery that doesn't take the reader out of the poem. (Seriously, th...more
Images in this graphic novel were quite literal in their adherence to the words of the poem. So much so that I think my wandering brain suffered for that. The changes from page to page jarred me, especially in Part I.
"Howl" is a better read without pictures at this point.
The final part, the epilogue, nixes my critique with a good mix of imagery that doesn't take the reader out of the poem. (Seriously, th...more
It was so strange and so odd - - I still am not used to Graphic Novels.
May 22, 2011
Jay
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone
Shelves:
2011,
laurie-should-read
Erik Drooker does an excellent job illustrating Allen Ginsberg's Howl. Reproducing the poem in lush, full color illustrations over 217 pages takes the poem to a new level. I was able to slow down and read small sections, as designed, and digest each verse. The illustrations add to the context of the poem and help set the mood with the art.
The blending of great art and poetry makes for a new level of understanding of Howl and its important impact on society, and as Ginsberg hoped, makes the acce...more
The blending of great art and poetry makes for a new level of understanding of Howl and its important impact on society, and as Ginsberg hoped, makes the acce...more
Blech. Not keen on the art and I do not care for drug dream style lit. I was not at all surprised to read on the flap that Ginsberg and William Burroughs were friends. All drug dream writing blur together for me. Omg, I'm so like done with it!
Jan 29, 2011
Tancredi
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
graphic-novel,
poesia
"Ah, Carl, while you are not safe I am not safe, and now you're really in the total animal soup of time"
Una splendida graphic novel che ripropone le eccellenti animazioni ed illustrazioni di Eric Drooker per il film Howl, il film su Allen Ginsberg e la sua più famosa e controversa opera.
Un viaggio allucinato nell'altro lato della società statunitense degli anni Cinquanta, un tour psichedelico tra le pieghe dell'oscuro animo umano, tra visioni celestiali e demoniache, serafini sensuali e demoniac...more
Una splendida graphic novel che ripropone le eccellenti animazioni ed illustrazioni di Eric Drooker per il film Howl, il film su Allen Ginsberg e la sua più famosa e controversa opera.
Un viaggio allucinato nell'altro lato della società statunitense degli anni Cinquanta, un tour psichedelico tra le pieghe dell'oscuro animo umano, tra visioni celestiali e demoniache, serafini sensuali e demoniac...more
I was intrigued (that this existed) upon finding it used in a comic book store. A reread of "Howl" was definitely long overdue, although my favorite Ginsberg poem is "America" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v-ANX...). The art style grew on me over the course of the book. In particular I enjoyed the image (on pages 26 to 27) for "who passed through universities with a radiant cool eyes hallucinating Arkansas and Blake-light tragedy among the scholars of war," and though the image for "Moloch" w...more
I have loved Drookers work after I read Illuminated Poems and kept tabs on his New Yorker stuff. I have yet to see the move but really want to. This may work as animation and I can see the Drooker inspiration behind most of the pictures but they don't always keep the Drooker wood-block-cut style which he has so some of the animations just look unfinish and odd in 3-d. I think it would have been more powerful if they really commited to his work and not just used it as a bouncing off point.
Jan 13, 2013
Mokona
added it
its just a beutifull work of art botn the poem and the eric drooker¨s illustration , i just love it!!
I didn't know Allen Ginsburg was some amazing famous poet from the Beat era. I picked up this book because I loved the artwork. The art and poetry are nicely juxtaposed. I enjoyed this book and felt the imagery was different than most graphic novels I've encountered. It's probably a book I should read a few times to really feel and hear the poetry.
First thought was that this was a good idea. Anyway to make a challenging work more accessible is always welcome, especially if it can appeal to new readers (The Waste Land, for example). Unfortunately, I don't feel like much was added here. Maybe I was expecting more than I should. Or maybe I just didn't like the artwork. Either way, eh.
Howl takes you on a journey. I can't say that's what I expected in the least, but the poetry takes you through flashing images that grab you, and then it ends loudly and powerfully. The images go perfectly with the poetry, and add a lot. I probably wouldn't have read this if it weren't for being in graphic novel form, but I'm glad I did.
For some reason I've always been attracted to the Beat poets and especially Ginsberg. The illustrations are interesting but I think they take away instead of add to the poem. Maybe Ginsberg is so good on his own that illustrations only get in the way of the imagination.
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“The madman bum and angel beat in time with the absolute heart of the poem butchered out of their own bodies good to eat a thousand years”
—
2 people liked it
More quotes…
Dec 29, 2012 07:57pm
Mr. F...more
Dec 29, 2012 08:52pm