Multiples

I am amazed that this could only have been writen by one man. I would think this is a job for 3 or even 4 people. Wait, now that I think about it, it could have been one midget with multiple personalities. Yes, that's it! I congradulate you and your midget self!

If you think that these plays are funny on paper, wait till you see a 300 Ton Gorilla read it in a Spanish accent!

The Norton anthology of Modern Poetry has now been updated and re-edited by Jahan Ramazani, and to excellent effect. The anthology now is split into two volumes, Modern and Contemporary (which here means poets who came of age slightly before or after WWII). Not only has the anthology been expanded, but importantly a poetics section has been added (the last 100+ pages of each volume), which includes Eliot's "Tradition and the Individual Talent" and Mina Loy's "Feminist Manifesto", parts of Pound's "Blast", and other important works. This is a smart move, and adds much to the anthology's usefulness.

The Modern section begins with "precursors": Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Thomas Hardy, G. M. Hopkins. It is nice to see these giants featured prominently; it adds much to the value of the set, and the collection of their works is broad and satisfying. The section then moves on to AE Housman, Yeats, etc. up to Theodore Roethke, Spender and Keith Douglas. The Contemporary volume (slightly thicker, though both are over 1000 pages) takes off from there and includes experimental poets and those of more diversified backgrounds, such as Michael Palmer, Li-Young Lee, and Agha Shahid Ali.

Introductory sections to both volumes provide broad overviews of poetic movements (Objectivist, Imagist, etc). While written in a very clear style that will not scare off beginners, these are actually well-researched and thought-through overviews that will be useful to serious students of poetry as well.

The packaging is, in my opinion, attractive and sleek: two well designed volumes housed in a cardboard case. The paper is a bit thin and smooth (I suppose it's hard to fit 1000 pages into such relatively slim volumes), but has actually proved most durable. The typeface is compact but fully clear and legible - not at all squished together. In short, the design is very pleasing, such that I find these volumes a pleasure to read and consult whenever I need to.

A year since purchasing this two-volume set, I still believe this is the best anthology of modern and contemporary English-language poetry currently on the market, and an excellent value despite its hefty price tag. I'm sure many will find disappointments here and questionable decisions - but that holds true for almost any anthology. More people will find something to celebrate here - a remarkable selection of two centuries of great poetry in the English language.

A note for teachers: It occurs to me that this volume could be well-suitable for a serious college-level course on poetry (or a very advanced high school course). For those looking for a teaching volume that includes drama and fiction sections, consider Kennedy and Goia's "Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry and Drama."

The Norton anthology of Modern Poetry has now been updated and re-edited by Jahan Ramazani, and to excellent effect. The anthology now is split into two volumes, Modern and Contemporary, which here means poets who came of age before or after WWII. Not only has the anthology been expanded, but importantly a poetics section has been added (the last 100+ pages of each volume), which includes Eliot's "Tradition and the Individual Talent" and Mina Loy's "Feminist Manifesto", parts of Pound's "Blast", and other important works. This is a smart move, and adds much to the anthology's usefulness.

The Modern section begins with "precursors": Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Thomas Hardy, G. M. Hopkins. It then moves into AE Housman, Yeats, etc. up to Theodore Roethke, Spender and Keith Douglas. The Contemporary volume (slightly thicker, though both are over 1000 pages) takes off from there and includes experimental poets and those of more diversified backgrounds, such as Michael Palmer, Li-Young Lee, and Agha Shahid Ali.

I'm sure many will find disappointments here and questionable decisions - but that holds true for almost any anthology. More people will find something to celebrate here - a remarkable selection of two centuries of great poetry in the English language.

When a friend gave me the Third Edition of this fine book some years ago, I couldn't have guessed how much pleasure I would get out of it. I now keep a copy in my office at work. At spare moments I pick a poem at random. I often find myself reading the poems around it, and the editor's commentary as well. Just reading the section introductions sucks you into reading all the poems in a section. This is the best collection for instilling or maintaining a love of poetry--I'm giving my doughter a copy today.

This is a nice way to settle back in with poetry if you have been away from it for a while. Hunter gives us a collection of outstanding writings from the western tradition. There is enough about form and structure to add to our appreciation of the artists' work without distracting from the meaning and emotion. There are a few chapters at the end that are very "textbookish" but they are brief and do not invade too much on the worth of the volume as a collection for people who do not plan to write "about poetry".

One of the problems of so many texts aimed at E.S.L. students is that they use only material from the country of publication. This book draws on so many diverse sources for its passages, including some from the countries of origin of many of those students. What could be better? Although many of the passages are just parts of the overall work (e.g., not all of a Shakespearean play), they are wonderful selections showing a great diversity of literature. Bravo to McRae and Vethamani for coming up with such a brilliant idea (in the British sense of brilliant) and producing this most interesting book.

A must read for students of ELT. Provides great hints and techniques for teaching of literature. A major difference from other books and definately a plus point is the extensive use of Asian literature in the book.

This is a sensational collection of short stories which are either parodies of classic fairy tales or short stories that the editors have found where they can see comparisons between the modern day and Black Forrest characters. Like any collection by various writers the quality varies for each story, in fact to be honest some especially the last few are pretty average but there are a substantial number of brilliant literature masterpieces.

Find out the truth about Cinderella with the story After Happily Ever. This is a superb spin on the classic tale. Of the Fog is my favourite, a sensational thriller about a guy who is targeted for vengeance by a hitchhiker who he decides not to stop for. The Better to Eat You With about a guy living in the Minnesotan wilderness who comes upon a plane crash attended by wolves is another great story. It Happened at Grandmother's House gives us an insight into what it's like to be werewolf. Clever Hans is another great tale of an Alaskan cruise gone wrong. Now Fetch Me an Axe takes the reader into the terrified writing of a girl who has just worked out she is about to murdered and has no way of escaping. Prince Charming is a who done it mystery where the hero works out who kidnapped a girl he just met and fancies. Snow White and the Eleven Dwarfs is a superb planning of catching your father's killer who happens to be your evil stepmother while hiding out from her with a group of men. There?s other great stories to read as well. This is really a pretty good collection of crime stories. Once Upon a Time I read this and was happy ever after finishing it.

Children have always been fascinated by fairy tales, but many adults find the stories magical and awe inspiring also. Well renowned editors Ed Gorman and Martin H. Greenberg have come up with a collection that will tantalize the child in all of us. The famous authors put a mysterious or suspense spin on popular fairy tales like SNOW WHITE; THE EMPORER'S NEW CLOTHES, and THE BRAVE LITTLE TAILOR. Keep in mind that the endings do not always match the original story line.

There are twenty-four stories contained in the anthology that range from cozy to hard-boil. Additionally, many of the tales are placed in a contemporary setting. All the stories are fabulous, but this reviewer especially enjoined "It Happened at Grandmother's House", a tale in which the wolf is a hormonal teen (redundancy)werewolf. Anyone who enjoys fairy tales will love this entertaining short story anthology.

Harriet Klausner

Hopefully we will continue to hear from The Key West Co-op. These insightful writers capture the essence of what is wacky and wonderful about Key West.

I am one the the group of 12 who cooperatively wrote and published this book of south Florida short stories. Living in what some call "paradise" produces a unique life experience which we want to share with those living more traditional lifestyles. You'll enjoy a tropical getaway with each story. Read them slowly, they'll last a long time in your memory.

Rexroth was first introduced to me by my high school teacher while we were studying Chinese literature. At first, I couldn't quite understand what was so great about Chinese poems, why Li Po and Tu Fu, and many others are so greatly admired. After this, I've come to a much better understanding of Chinese literature in general, and a much greater love for it. I recommend this book to anyone.

Well, actually, this is CHINESE poetry. Really excellent translation. Rexroth was a great American poet, and ground breaker as a translator of both Chinese and Japanese poetry, and all his work is still worth reading.

The book was very interesting and exciting. The pace was fast and never had a dull moment. Selina was very accurate decribing her job duties on a Military Depot. Also her everyday dealings with the Local Unions was very humerous, but generally very true.
She described the characters is the book very well.The plot was very good.

I found the book very exciting and fast paced. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. I quickly learned to love the "good" guys and hate the "bad" guys.
The book was set in Pennsylvania, an area I know well, so I found that part very interesting. The author was very exact and accurate in her facts about the area.
I think that Selena has a lot of spunk, and I look forward to hearing about her next adventure!

Of all the Vietnam "POW left behind rescue missions" this one rings true. If I were a POW in Vietnam I would want this team coming for me. Cover to cover it was filled with action, drama, and most especially for me, technical accuracy. I felt like I was in Vietnam...again. A must read!

If the military is going to rescue a POW, this is how they'll do it! Fast, fun read. You can tell the author is a combat veteran and not a closet commando. This will make a dynamite action movie!

It's a lovely and beautiful song. Shall I speak to you? Mind It's a secret! Next time......

Original Love contains 91 pages of intensely personal and universal poems. The author divides these poems into three sections; First Love, Mother Love and Other Love. In 'So What If I'm In Love', a poem in the first section, I felt as if I were the one who accidently left "... the penguin sweatshirt ... smelled both of him and time ..." on the subway. I felt the pain of loss along with her as the subway doors closed and his scent went with it. Poems dealing with her mother's life and death comrpise the second section. In 'Raptor', Peacock accepts her mother's death on its own terms while imagining how her own death will happen. "Foolishly I'd imagined for you your mother's death, not your own ... who knows what death I'll get exactly, being daughterless, the line begetting neutralized, in hands beyond love". In the final section, poems like 'Simple' address her spiritual side; "When the wafer dissolves on my tongue I wonder what part of the Lord I have eaten," while 'Forgiveness' verbalizes finding peace with her past ..."the felt lightness of existence self-created, forgiveness". Something in each of these poems spoke to me as I were their narrator. I wish I had written them. I recommend this collection to anyone who wishes to dig into the heart and mind of a woman.