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mary_soon_lee's review
2.0
"Eyeshot" is a short poetry collection by Heather McHugh. I bought the book because I'd read and loved a poem by McHugh ("What He Thought," which may be found online at poetryfoundation.org). The poems in "Eyeshot" are skillful, playing with language, aware of sound, but for the most part they do not move me. I admired them rather than enjoying them. My favorites, which I did like, were three of the "Four Poems after the Chinese," plus "Unhygenic Song."
I note that in attempting to work out why I didn't care for these poems more, I thought of the works of T.S. Eliot, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and, more recently, Carol Ann Duffy. All three have poems whose sound I love. In the case of Eliot and Hopkins, I love some of their poetry even though it's meaning is only partly clear to me. I'm unsure why their poetry resonates with me, or why the poems in "Eyeshot" mostly do not. Every reader comes to a poem with a different history, and these poems will probably speak well to other readers.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
I note that in attempting to work out why I didn't care for these poems more, I thought of the works of T.S. Eliot, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and, more recently, Carol Ann Duffy. All three have poems whose sound I love. In the case of Eliot and Hopkins, I love some of their poetry even though it's meaning is only partly clear to me. I'm unsure why their poetry resonates with me, or why the poems in "Eyeshot" mostly do not. Every reader comes to a poem with a different history, and these poems will probably speak well to other readers.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
addyson_raelynn's review
challenging
reflective
5.0
This collection was stunning! I have many new favorite poems.
My favorites:
Goner’s Boner
Fido, Jolted By Jove
Lectator’s Song
Song For The Men Of The Pennsylvania Hills
A Dearth In The Dreamboat Department
Pound Sign
The Suicide
My favorites:
Goner’s Boner
Fido, Jolted By Jove
Lectator’s Song
Song For The Men Of The Pennsylvania Hills
A Dearth In The Dreamboat Department
Pound Sign
The Suicide
More...