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Homage to John Clare: A poetical and critical correspondence
Paperback book.
91 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
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April 30, 2020
This collection grows out of a good idea, and a passionate reading of Clare, and that made me like it probably more than I should have. On the left side it has poems or quotes from Clare's letters, and on the right page it has Neumeyer's responses to Clare. The attempt is to create a kind of dialogue.
The trouble is Neumeyer felt the need to follow Clare's forms -- and he doesn't have anything near Clare's ear, nor the easiness with early 19th century rural English diction. It was bound to fail. Clare's story is, of course, deeply meaningful, and Neumeyer can't wreck that, but he doesn't end up doing much of a service in his homage.
Still, it was worth reading to see how someone worked out that idea -- to construct a conversation with an earlier poet. It's too bad Neumeyer didn't have more ability to stand beside Clare.
This copy of the book is marked $1 so I must have bought it in some marked down place after I first became aware of Clare 30 years ago. It has been sitting on my shelf ever since, waiting for me to have a deep reading of Clare, and it fell apart as I read it.
The trouble is Neumeyer felt the need to follow Clare's forms -- and he doesn't have anything near Clare's ear, nor the easiness with early 19th century rural English diction. It was bound to fail. Clare's story is, of course, deeply meaningful, and Neumeyer can't wreck that, but he doesn't end up doing much of a service in his homage.
Still, it was worth reading to see how someone worked out that idea -- to construct a conversation with an earlier poet. It's too bad Neumeyer didn't have more ability to stand beside Clare.
This copy of the book is marked $1 so I must have bought it in some marked down place after I first became aware of Clare 30 years ago. It has been sitting on my shelf ever since, waiting for me to have a deep reading of Clare, and it fell apart as I read it.
Displaying 1 of 1 review