The Story of Our Lives, with the Monument and the Late Hour

by Mark Strand

Mark Strand is the author of nine books of poems, including Blizzard of One , winner of the 1998 Pulitzer Prize. He was the Poet Laureate of the United States in 1990, and currently teaches at the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago. He lives in Chicago.

Genres: Poetry

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1973

About the author

Mark Strand was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet, essayist, and translator. He was appointed Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in 1990. He was a professor of English at Columbia University and also taught at numerous other colleges and universities.

Strand also wrote children's books and art criticism, helped edit several poetry anthologies and translated Spanish poet Rafael Alberti.

He is survived by a son, a daughter and a sister.

Reviews

[Caroline Egeland]

I have read some reviews of this book that implied that they just couldn't connect. I definitely agree with the importance of a relationship between the reader and the poetry that they are reading and while I have felt that way about many poets before, that is not the case with Strand.
I always find myself in an almost phantasmagoric relationship with his work. I leave each poem only wishing that it would go on longer. A lot of it is simple but all of it is perfect.
I highly recommend this book.

[Erin Malone]

The Story of Our Lives remains one of my favorite books of poetry. It is a slow examination of the nature of a romantic relationship, with stunning images that repeat themselves in Strand's meticulous turning-over. And though it's poetry, it reads like a story, so many of you who aren't sure about poems might be happy starting here.

[Salome Dekanoidze]

"It is dark outside, in the room it is darker.
I hear your breathing.
You are asking me if I am tired,
if I want to keep reading.
Yes, I am tired.
Yes, I want to keep reading.
I say yes to everything.
You cannot hear me."

[Marian]

really, I'd like to give this 3.5 stars. It's impossible to say why some poetry connects with you and some does not. Mark Strand and I did not connect, but that does not mean he is not a great poet.

[Edward Nudelman]

Wonderful book, turned out we had many similarities. I read Strand often before writing... very helpful.

[Jimmy]

Great poetry collection. The long poem in many parts "The Story of Our Lives" is a masterpiece.