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164th out of 265 books
—
1,353 voters
She Walks in Beauty: A Woman's Journey Through Poems
In She Walks in Beauty, Caroline Kennedy has once again marshaled the gifts of our greatest poets to pay a very personal tribute to the human experience, this time to the complex and fascinating subject of womanhood. Inspired by her own reflections on more than fifty years of life as a young girl, a woman, a wife, and a mother, She Walks in Beauty draws on poetry’s eloquen...more
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
April 5th 2011
by Voice
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She Walks in Beauty is an anthology of poems that mark the different stages of a women’s life from Falling in Love, Breaking Up, Death and Grief, Marriage and Motherhood, to Friendship, Beauty and How to Live. Caroline Kennedy does a wonderful job of introducing each stage/topic with insight and humour.
I feel that men would enjoy this collection of poetry as well. There are some books that I secretly re-read every year (secretly because some things should be allowed to be enjoyed in private. Wi...more
I feel that men would enjoy this collection of poetry as well. There are some books that I secretly re-read every year (secretly because some things should be allowed to be enjoyed in private. Wi...more
A collection of poems compiled by Caroline Kennedy based on the stages of a woman’s life. I liked the layout of this book. She begins each section with some personal reflections that I really enjoyed. This is a very diverse collection with classics from Shakespeare, the Bible, etc., as well as many contemporary selections.
Kennedy started this project around the time she turned 50. She said, “Reading poems can help bring clarity and insight to emotions that can be confusing or contradictory.” Be...more
Kennedy started this project around the time she turned 50. She said, “Reading poems can help bring clarity and insight to emotions that can be confusing or contradictory.” Be...more
What a delightful book! I'm not into poetry and would never have chosen to read this book if my book discussion group had not selected it. I almost always buy our book club selections, but I didn't want to spend $25 for this one so I got it a few days ago from the public library. I thought I would read Caroline's comments and read a few of the poems, but I read the entire book in almost one sitting.
For people of a certain age, Caroline seems like one of our children. I was in high school when he...more
For people of a certain age, Caroline seems like one of our children. I was in high school when he...more
This was a well put together anthology of poetry, chronicling the phases in a woman's life. Each grouping of poems (Falling in Love, Making Love, Marriage, Breaking Up, Love Itself, Work, Beauty, Motherhood, Growing Old, etc.) has an introduction that is basically a short essay by Caroline Kennedy. Certainly, you can pick up on some of her favorite poets who make repeat appearances through the sections, including Elizabeth Bishop and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, although not all the poets are wom...more
This collection of poems celebrating womanhood has surprised me, since I am not particularly enamoured of either the Kennedys or of the artform of poetry in general. This is a lovely balance of Biblical, classic and modern poems, of lines that are familiar ("I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you") and those that were not but struck me all the same ("Are those your children? Yes."). It has poems after my own heart, from an ode to the sexy red dress, to a trib...more
Poetry divided into the following sections: falling in love; making love; breaking up; marriage; love itself; work; beauty, clothes, and things of this world; motherhood; silence and solitude; growing up and growing old; death and grief; friendship; how to live.
Each section is introduced by Caroline Kennedy, usually in about 1-3 pages. While her sentiments were nicely written and I read them all, I was more in it for the actual poetry.
And poetry I read. A really beautiful assortment, a good mix...more
Each section is introduced by Caroline Kennedy, usually in about 1-3 pages. While her sentiments were nicely written and I read them all, I was more in it for the actual poetry.
And poetry I read. A really beautiful assortment, a good mix...more
I would have given this book one and a half stars, but just before the end, I found "Love" by Roy Croft included in the poems. My husband and I had Croft's poem read at our wedding, along with "The Love Chapter in Corinthians" which is also in this book. Croft's "Love" is the single best description of the way two people in love should feel about each other. Every time I read "Love" I am reminded of that old adage about marriage, "Be friends first." It is so true!
Kennedy compiled poems that she...more
Kennedy compiled poems that she...more
This a valuable collection, thoughtfully arranged. It contains such a variety of authors, something is sure to be found to please everyone. I liked the poems more often than not, although there are a few I was indifferent to. There was enough well-written, substantive poetry that I read it cover to cover, instead of flipping through and picking at random, as I usually do with poetry books. This reading method is also encouraged by Kennedy's organization, which gently guides us through the poems...more
I first heard about this book when I watched Caroline Kennedy mix it up, poetry-wise, with Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report. Intrigued, I was glad to see the book appear on the new book shelves at my local library. Checked it out and loved it. Caroline Kennedy edited this book and wrote the introductions for each of the sections of poems. Included in this volume are poems about the various phases of women's lives--Falling in Love, Breaking Up, Marriage, Work, Motherhood, Friendship, Growing...more
I listened to this one as part of my immersion in poetry in April. The subtitle of the anthology is, "A woman's journey through poems," which made me think that it was going to be a collection of women poet's giving voice to women's lives. Instead, it has at least as many male poets writing ABOUT women as women speaking to their own experiences, and many of these poems fall prey to romanticizing womanhood, seeing women once more through "the male gaze." As such, it contained a lot more platitude...more
Page Turner's met July 12th to discuss Caroline Kennedy's She Walks in Beauty Overall Review was a 4 Rating out of possible 5.
Individual Reviews are as follows:
3/5
“I liked the poems that were straight forward with little or no metaphors. Good
narrative was interesting.”
Favorite poem : Bra Shopping by Parneshia Jones
4 / 5
“I liked the variety in style and topics. The anthology was well arranged.”
Favorite poem : September, 1918 by Amy Lowell
4 / 5
“I liked how each section was organized by a theme, e...more
Individual Reviews are as follows:
3/5
“I liked the poems that were straight forward with little or no metaphors. Good
narrative was interesting.”
Favorite poem : Bra Shopping by Parneshia Jones
4 / 5
“I liked the variety in style and topics. The anthology was well arranged.”
Favorite poem : September, 1918 by Amy Lowell
4 / 5
“I liked how each section was organized by a theme, e...more
What a treat to read poetry again!! A nicely curated (um, edited?) collection - I really enjoyed that the poems are arranged thematically and they were from multiple time-periods. A nice book to flip through ocassionally for a little reflective me-time.
I really enjoyed this collection of poems put together by Caroline Kennedy. I liked how Kennedy separated the poems into the different parts of a woman's life, from "Falling in Love" to "Beauty, Clothes, and Things of this World". My favorite poems from the collection are: "From June to December" by Summer Villanelle, "Variation on the World Sleep" by Margaret Atwood, "I carry your heart with me (i carry it in" by E.E. Cummings, "To My Dear and Loving Husband" by Anne Bradstreet, and "Simple Gif...more
I can only read a couple of poems at a time because they give me so much to think about and to cry over. Example:
Courage by Ann Sexton, last verse
Later,
when you face old age and its natural conclusion
your courage will still be shown in the little ways,
each spring will be a sword you'll sharpen,
those you love will live in a fever of love,
and you'll bargain with the calendar
and at the last moment
when death opens the back door
you'll put on your carpet slippers
and stride out.
Beautiful.
This book wil...more
Courage by Ann Sexton, last verse
Later,
when you face old age and its natural conclusion
your courage will still be shown in the little ways,
each spring will be a sword you'll sharpen,
those you love will live in a fever of love,
and you'll bargain with the calendar
and at the last moment
when death opens the back door
you'll put on your carpet slippers
and stride out.
Beautiful.
This book wil...more
possibly my favorite book passage ever:
"When I was younger, I thought my task was to forge ahead and succeed as an individual. But growing older has helped me realize that our success lies in our relationships - with the family we are born into, the friends we make, the people we fall in love with, and the children we have. Sometimes we struggle, sometimes we adapt, and at other times we set a course for others to follow. We are all leaders and followers in our lives. We are constantly learning...more
"When I was younger, I thought my task was to forge ahead and succeed as an individual. But growing older has helped me realize that our success lies in our relationships - with the family we are born into, the friends we make, the people we fall in love with, and the children we have. Sometimes we struggle, sometimes we adapt, and at other times we set a course for others to follow. We are all leaders and followers in our lives. We are constantly learning...more
I would have liked to see more poets included from across the world - the poems are mostly from the US and Britain (though there is a sprinkling of poets of color).
Otherwise, though, this is a nice collection of poems by both male and female poets separated into sections relevant to a woman's life (e.g. "Love Itself", "Work", "Motherhood", "Silence and Solitude", "Growing Up and Growing Old", etc.). I used this as a resource for a project I'm working on and didn't read every poem. But I found m...more
Otherwise, though, this is a nice collection of poems by both male and female poets separated into sections relevant to a woman's life (e.g. "Love Itself", "Work", "Motherhood", "Silence and Solitude", "Growing Up and Growing Old", etc.). I used this as a resource for a project I'm working on and didn't read every poem. But I found m...more
A delightful, personally chosen collection by Caroline Kennedy. In many ways this seems a return to an earlier age to me - the 1940's - 70's perhaps, when learned scholars with a popular touch selected poetry to share with others less familiar with the writing. Yet Kennedy's book touches on the present too by selecting with a wry as well as a deft eye; who else would place a poem by Dorothy Parker in a chapter entitled "Falling in Love" or a poem by Emily Dickinson in the chapter "Making Love"?!...more
Everything I've ever read, or seen on TV, about Caroline Kennedy leads me to believe she's a very fine person. After reading this selection of poetry, my beliefs have been confirmed. This is a lovely book and most of the poems were very enjoyable and I'm NOT a poetry fan, even though I had an aunt that wrote, and sold her poetry. Ms Kennedy has chosen subjects, i.e. Motherhood, and selected poems that fall into those subjects. Very well done, very enjoyable, and tells you, again, what a fine per...more
I have always been intrigued with Jacqueline Kennedy, the wife of President Jack Kennedy and mother of Caroline Kennedy (author of this book). In this book Kennedy draws on poetry's eloquent wisdom to ponder the many joys and challenges of being a woman. The chapters are about love, falling in love, growing old, friendships, family, work, etc.
Reading these poems brought me to a reflective and contemplative place to simply take in the beauty of these poems, the thoughts, the laughter and sadness,...more
Reading these poems brought me to a reflective and contemplative place to simply take in the beauty of these poems, the thoughts, the laughter and sadness,...more
I have been trying to read poetry for a while. This book was the one that I had been waiting for. Split up into ten sections of subjects. From falling in love, to friendship, marriage, children, aging and death. Making the journey easier to understand that many have traveled down the road before me. Knowing that there will be bumps along the way. My favorite piece of writing in this book is:
Don't Try to Rush Things
from Poem 41
Antonio Machado
Don't try to rush things;
for the cup to run over,
it mus...more
Don't Try to Rush Things
from Poem 41
Antonio Machado
Don't try to rush things;
for the cup to run over,
it mus...more
Caroline Kennedy edited this book and wrote the introductions for each of the sections of poems. Included in this volume are poems about the various phases of women's lives--Falling in Love, Breaking Up, Marriage, Work, Motherhood, Friendship, Growing Up and Growing Old- among others. Kennedy's introductions were insightful. I enjoyed reading the lessons and insights she shared about herself. There are some wonderful poems in this collection that made me reflect on my own life; present, past and...more
What a beautiful book! From the front cover to the color and fonts and even the inside shadow pictures of flowers-every detail is so meticulous. It is an absolutel delight to the senses from sight to sound. This book of poems was hand selected by Caroline Kennedy. While she didn't write any of the poems, seeing the ones that she selected as her favorites gives me an insight into a person I have always looked up to.
The poems are divided up into the different eras of a woman's life and include: Fa...more
The poems are divided up into the different eras of a woman's life and include: Fa...more
This is a wonderful book for those who enjoy poetry, especially women. This is the answer to "What do you want for your birthday/anniversary/Mother's Day?" or just to read next, although I recommend owning a copy so you can savor the book over time. (Thanks, Caiti!) Caroline Kennedy has compiled a variety of thought-provoking, excellent poems that evoke the stages and feelings of life. Each section (e.g., Falling in Love; Breaking Up; Beauty, Clothes, and Things of This World; Friendship; How to...more
I found this book to be quite enchanting. I especially liked the editing of the book; how the poems were broken up into sections of life... marriage, work, growing up, etc. It made it easy to open the book and find some encouraging words. There were some beauties in here for sure... classical, Biblical, modern... I liked having them all in one volume. I was very pleased to see "I am my beloved" from Song of Songs and St. Paul's thoughts on love from First Corinthians. Lots of my mushy favorites...more
It's nice to read a collection of poetry every now and then. This was a varied collection relating to many phases of a woman's life. Caroline Kennedy wrote intros to each section, including some family info as well as why the poems were chosen. Several poems were new to me as well as some old favorites. My favorites were the poems on old age (wonder why??). Kennedy said, "Middle age is a time to aearrange our lives and enjoy the chance to reflect rather than react."
Fantastic compilation of poems for every stage of a woman's walk through life. Caroline Kennedy's introduction to each section is beautifully written and I felt she could have even written more but what she did share was eloquent and touching. This would be a perfect gift for a dear girlfriend, sister, mother, new bride, grandparent - such a treasure!
Loved reading poems I had never heard of before as well as a few that are favorites from long ago.
Loved reading poems I had never heard of before as well as a few that are favorites from long ago.
I'm returning this book for others to enjoy, even though I haven't finished it yet. Poetry for me is not something to read cover to cover but to pick up and enjoy or ponder from time to time. Nonetheless, I read quite a few. Even though it's not a comprehensive collection, I think the book would have benefited from the typical index of first lines, titles and authors found in other collections.
The book had the usual "life journey sections" (love, work, motherhood, etc) but also included "beauty,...more
The book had the usual "life journey sections" (love, work, motherhood, etc) but also included "beauty,...more
Been a long while since I've read any amount of poetry, and I enjoyed this change of pace in my reading. Especially liked the introductions to each section. As might be expected, some of the poems really resonated with me, others were kind of out there - lines like "penguin dust, bring me penguin dust, I want penguin dust" are just way beyond my ken, even in the context of the whole poem. Still interesting to read though!
This is a beautiful collection of poems which detail a woman's journey through the stages of life. What I appreciated most about this collection was it was a perfect balance of classic and modern poetry. It perfectly summed up a woman's journey in love, marriage, motherhood, growing old, accepting herself, work, and friendship. It captured the stuggles and joys, heartbreaks and triumphs a woman experiences throughout her lifetime.
This 316 page book of poetry all collected by Caroline Kennedy is divided into sections. These signify those periods in a woman's life when she falls in love, marriage, work, friendships, beauty, clothes, etc. The poetry is largely by well known poets with a particular poem focusing on women. I did not find much new in the way of poetry in this book but a lot of reading of some old favorites.
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Caroline Bouvier Kennedy is an American author and attorney. She is the daughter and only surviving child of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. An older sister, Arabella, died shortly after her birth in 1956. Brother John F. Kennedy, Jr. died in a plane crash in 1999. Another brother, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy died two days after his birth in 1963.
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Kennedy visited our suburban town two weeks ago for an event featuring school girls reciting selections fro...more
May 06, 2013 12:14pm
Kennedy visited our suburban town two weeks ago for an event featuring school girls reciting...more
May 07, 2013 09:36am