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robertlashley's review
2.0
Hoagland is the MFA system's answer to Amiri Baraka; a passive aggressive bomb thrower more interested in racial and sexual "getback" than the aesthetics of a poem. Structure, language, and the unique individual music one looks for in a free verse poem are sacrificed to an array of reactionary statements on race and gender that range from genteel ( " The change") to violent ("adam and eve"). Like Baraka, Hoagland wants the outside reader to not engage but submit to him; to give him kudos for "honesty" when he "want(s) to punch a woman in the face", to think him a liberal for his ironic country club musings on the "animal" nature of black women tennis players; and to bow to his courage when he declares his poems are "for white people."
Though Hoagland's gender politics have a moral basis that exist only in the windmills of his mind, his racial ones, however, are a little more complicated. Given the history of Black nationalism and bad( not all) slam poetry: and the fact that Baraka have never been fully called on the carpet for the horror core he spewed in the name of literature; it is natural that someone would be a racial response writer ; a foot soldier to give right back the violent agit prop rhetoric that too many poets forced upon American Literature. Fair enough, but that doesn't make Hoagland right. Or a poet.
Though Hoagland's gender politics have a moral basis that exist only in the windmills of his mind, his racial ones, however, are a little more complicated. Given the history of Black nationalism and bad( not all) slam poetry: and the fact that Baraka have never been fully called on the carpet for the horror core he spewed in the name of literature; it is natural that someone would be a racial response writer ; a foot soldier to give right back the violent agit prop rhetoric that too many poets forced upon American Literature. Fair enough, but that doesn't make Hoagland right. Or a poet.
madelinemadeline's review
2.0
This book, to me, is the American Beauty of books of poetry.
I didn't see American Beauty when it came out (too young), but I did see it when I was seventeen, and thought it was brilliant then…but then I grew up a little, and realized that American Beauty is actually not brilliant at all, that it's embarrassing how smart it thinks it is. I think the world kind of agrees with me on this one; yes, the film won Best Picture, but since then, it seems to have undergone a critical reevaluation that leaves it looking significantly less essential than it did in 1999.
What Narcissism Means to Me was published a few years later, and like American Beauty, it hasn't aged well. These are poems by a white male poet who thinks he has some valuable things to say about American culture. In actuality, there is very little in this book that proves insightful; most of Hoagland's attempts at providing smart cultural commentary are so obvious and full of cliches that they're painful to read, and the casual misogyny and racism running through so many of these poems made them particularly difficult to stomach. It's a bit astonishing to me that this book was well received in the first place, and I have to believe that if the people who wrote the blurbs on the back were to reread these poems now, they'd regret ever having endorsed them.
I gave this two stars for two reasons. Hoagland's writing, while often simplistic or even despicable, occasionally turns up a few lines or phrases that I like. I can also appreciate his style; as someone who gets tired of reading poetry that's esoteric or heavily abstract, I respect Hoagland's commitment to writing in the language of the real world. I just wish he had something more interesting to say.
I didn't see American Beauty when it came out (too young), but I did see it when I was seventeen, and thought it was brilliant then…but then I grew up a little, and realized that American Beauty is actually not brilliant at all, that it's embarrassing how smart it thinks it is. I think the world kind of agrees with me on this one; yes, the film won Best Picture, but since then, it seems to have undergone a critical reevaluation that leaves it looking significantly less essential than it did in 1999.
What Narcissism Means to Me was published a few years later, and like American Beauty, it hasn't aged well. These are poems by a white male poet who thinks he has some valuable things to say about American culture. In actuality, there is very little in this book that proves insightful; most of Hoagland's attempts at providing smart cultural commentary are so obvious and full of cliches that they're painful to read, and the casual misogyny and racism running through so many of these poems made them particularly difficult to stomach. It's a bit astonishing to me that this book was well received in the first place, and I have to believe that if the people who wrote the blurbs on the back were to reread these poems now, they'd regret ever having endorsed them.
I gave this two stars for two reasons. Hoagland's writing, while often simplistic or even despicable, occasionally turns up a few lines or phrases that I like. I can also appreciate his style; as someone who gets tired of reading poetry that's esoteric or heavily abstract, I respect Hoagland's commitment to writing in the language of the real world. I just wish he had something more interesting to say.
toniclark's review
4.0
I've now read this book 4 times, the most times I've read any contemporary poetry collection. I keep loving it. Maybe even 5 stars this time.
hagbard_celine's review
5.0
This did everything I want poetry to do for me. I laughed, I cried, I looked up how far away the Sun is from Earth.
Favorites include:
Social Life
When Dean Young Talks About Wine
Man Carrying Sofa
Lovely.
Favorites include:
Social Life
When Dean Young Talks About Wine
Man Carrying Sofa
Lovely.
librariandest's review
4.0
I think I was introduced to Tony Hoagland by Judd Appatow in his book [b:I Found This Funny|8482884|I Found This Funny My Favorite Pieces of Humor and Some That May Not Be Funny At All|Judd Apatow|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1286566518s/8482884.jpg|13348016]. Hoaglund's poetry is super funny, but not silly-jokey-ha-ha funny. It's like a stabbing funny.
bookchew's review against another edition
5.0
This is not just my favorite poetry book, but one of my favorite books of any genre. I always keep two copies on hand--one for myself, and one to give to anyone who hasn't read it yet. Hoagland's imagery is so illuminating and relatable, I find myself referencing his words a decade after reading them. Start with "A Color of the Sky," "Spring Lemonade," or "Man Carrying Sofa" and see what poetry can do.
raloveridge's review
5.0
What a clever, clever book. My favorite collection of poetry I've read in a while.
bellwetherdays's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75