Scan barcode
cwalsh's review against another edition
3.0
Not a surprise due to their close friendship, but this is undeniably influenced by Elizabeth Bishop, especially toward the latter end of Life Studies. Skunk Hour and Night Sweat are the stars of the show in my opinion... how can you beat the subtle sorrow of "I dabble in the dapple of the day"?
3.75 because I'm feeling #pretentious.
3.75 because I'm feeling #pretentious.
dsbookie's review against another edition
4.0
I don't normally read too much poetry, mainly because I don't overly enjoy it. But since I had to for one of my courses, I read this one. It was interesting how it was written. I enjoyed that it was about his life and about specific people he knew from his life. I don't really have too much to say about this book of poetry.
If you enjoy reading poetry, I recommend you picking this book up and giving it a read.
If you enjoy reading poetry, I recommend you picking this book up and giving it a read.
apollonium's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? N/A
3.0
andpasturesnew's review
5.0
Lowell's memoir as part of "Life Studies", 91 Revere Street, is a masterpiece of unsentimental incision and poetic marvel. Highlights of the collection include "Inauguration Day: January 1953", "Skunk Hour", "to Delmore Schwartz", and of course "For the Union Dead".
kristi_asleep_dreaming's review
4.0
Plugged away at this off and on over a few weeks, reading it on coffee breaks at Starbucks, lunch hour in Frist, buses. Not with my comfort reading at home in the bath. Finally finished it today while waiting for a bus at the mall.
Interesting. Bits of masculine emotion and childhood I had difficulty relating to, bits of history I liked, faintly religious musings I was fascinated by, and at the very end some moments from a breakdown, and after, that justified the entire boof to me and made me understand why Alvarez considered it such an important book.
The style.. I'll have to read it again just to absorb the nuances... rhymes so subtle I missed them on first reading, rhythm faint, never jarring.
But much of it didn't grip me, quite.
Interesting. Bits of masculine emotion and childhood I had difficulty relating to, bits of history I liked, faintly religious musings I was fascinated by, and at the very end some moments from a breakdown, and after, that justified the entire boof to me and made me understand why Alvarez considered it such an important book.
The style.. I'll have to read it again just to absorb the nuances... rhymes so subtle I missed them on first reading, rhythm faint, never jarring.
But much of it didn't grip me, quite.
More...