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kristennd's review
5.0
I'm not a big poetry person. But after reading this book, possibly in one sitting, I bought four more copies and mailed them to assorted friends/relatives. With 'A color of the sky' marked as particularly noteworthy : http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=171303
aroyster's review
3.0
While the irony of reflecting on a post-modern era is well intentioned, Hoagland often overshadows the speaker, and his nihilistic attitude is ill-hidden.
shyfroglet's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.5
thirdcoast's review
3.0
I just wrote a review and lost it. This was a good collection, smart - funny - personal. It brings you to hurt and pain and makes the situation comical at times. Here is one of my favorite poems from the collection.
America
America
maddykpdx's review
3.0
...Like running conversation at a dinner party hosted by a delightful misanthrope:
What I like about the trees is how
They do not talk about the failure of their parents
And what I like about the grasses is that
They are not grasses in recovery
And what I like about the flowers is
That they are not flowers in need of empowerment or validation. They sway
Upon their thorny stems
As if whatever was about to happen next tonight
was sure to be completely interesting—
What I like about the trees is how
They do not talk about the failure of their parents
And what I like about the grasses is that
They are not grasses in recovery
And what I like about the flowers is
That they are not flowers in need of empowerment or validation. They sway
Upon their thorny stems
As if whatever was about to happen next tonight
was sure to be completely interesting—
amadswami's review
4.0
Read at the recommendation of Literary Disco.
It did not fail to impress, humor and insight.
Read this!
It did not fail to impress, humor and insight.
Read this!
saaramyrene's review
3.0
I don't care what Logan says. Hoagland is funny, and I like that. I think Donkey Gospel is better, though.
kfan's review
4.0
Really enjoyable. There are a couple of poems where one line is SO GOOD it makes you wish it didn't outshine the rest of the poem, but I'm not going to fault a guy for writing awesome lines.
Favorites were:
Social Life (whereas I prefer the feeling of going away, going away))
A Color of the Sky (What I thought was an injustice / turned out to be the color of the sky)
Reasons to Survive November (and my happiness would kill them / so I shove joy like a knife / into my heart over and over)
How it Adds Up (Don't drop it, don't drop it, don't drop it--, / And when you do, you will keep looking for it / everwhere, for years)
The Time Wars (We just want to give time many homemade gifts, / covered with fingerprints and kisses.)
Favorites were:
Social Life (whereas I prefer the feeling of going away, going away))
A Color of the Sky (What I thought was an injustice / turned out to be the color of the sky)
Reasons to Survive November (and my happiness would kill them / so I shove joy like a knife / into my heart over and over)
How it Adds Up (Don't drop it, don't drop it, don't drop it--, / And when you do, you will keep looking for it / everwhere, for years)
The Time Wars (We just want to give time many homemade gifts, / covered with fingerprints and kisses.)