Doggerel: Great Poets on Remarkable Dogs

by Martha Paulos (Illustrator)

Here is an international collection of poetry devoted to both glorifying and debunking the hallowed state of hound-hood. DOGGEREL features the world's foremost writers and poets - Ogden Nash, Carl Sandburg, Robert Frost, Dorothy Parker, Dylan Thomas, E.B. White, Raymond Carver, John Ciardi, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Scott Spencer, Erica Jong, among others - each contributing light and literary verse to this most dogged of subjects.

Illustrated with twenty-five original linocuts by artist Martha Paulos.

Genres: Poetry

64 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1990

Reviews

[Paul Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does an artist survive and thrive in a highly competitive creative environment? Produce a book like Doggerel by Martha Paulos. More than thirty years after publication, it seems fresh and holds interest.

The linocuts in this book are compelling and well-executed. The poems written by their respective (famous) authors add to the linocuts. Nothing about this book is a hagiography of dogs and that's seems to be the point. The book is funny, and based in a society the reader can understand. Who hasn't been chased by a dog while riding a bicycle?

Linocuts take more time to produce than other media. Paulos' high level of technical craftsmanship made it worth our time to appreciate her art.

Recommended for people working toward a career in creative endeavors. Also for anyone interested in linocuts. If a person collects dog stuff, they should get a copy for Doggerel's uniqueness.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have had this on my bookshelf for years, and have just now gotten around to reading it. The linocut illustrations were the perfect accompaniment to this book of dog poetry. It included quite a range of authors and styles, some of which I liked very much; others I did not care for. A quick, pleasant read.

[Michael P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ought to love this book, but most of the poems do not express the love of dogs the obvious readership of this book wants. A few are nice but the rest either standoffish or hostile. The linocuts by Martha Paulos fail to capture the essence of what we love about out dogs. The book is more fizzle than fine.

[D.A. Fellows · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars. Some nice poems but some odd choices too. Ogden Nash wrote a bunch of charming poems on dogs, and the one that was included in this collection is possibly the weakest of them all. I guess it’s subjective though. The illustrations are nice.

[mad mags · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short But Sweet

"Doggerel" is a small collection of 19 poems about dogs. Some of the pieces are sentimental, others are strange, and some are downright silly - but they're all enjoyable. The accompanying illustrations are a bit of a disappointment, though - a little too cartoonishly abstract for my taste - and they don't really complement the poetry.

"Doggerel" is worth the money, as long as you can find a cheap copy.

http://www.amazon.com/review/RP1CSGGH...

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful illustrations and poetry was added bonus. Dog lovers will be pleased.