Reviews

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

ahmed_suliman's review against another edition

3.0

I liked some poems dealing with love, self-love, nature, and freedom .. but I just closed the book at the songs of America, there's too much lies in them and forgery .. the grass of America you that he's talking about is bloodied from the massacres that had been executed against the indigenous.

adelle_bookworm's review against another edition

3.0

I am the poet of the body,
And I am the poet of the soul.

_lie_r0se_'s review against another edition

hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

rick_k's review

3.0

On an individual basis, many of these poems are great. There is a pride and promise of America that bursts from the lines with fanfare-like repetition. However, at 600+ pages it becomes relentless. 

My mind became numb to the line level imagery about a third of the way through and gave over to the macro-level themes and history reflected in his work. We see him young, hedonistic, and idealistic; in love with love and possibility. Which gives way to thoughts and race and war and the loss of Abraham Lincoln. Then his belief in his own greatness, and the role his nation will take on the world stage. He describes everything as electric as technology advances, then the rise of Chicago (loved that part). And finally, his internal struggle with age, legacy, and death. Near the end he seems afraid that every poem will be his epitaph and you get a series of false finales (like [book:The Return of the King|61215384]). 

As a whole it is an astounding artifact, but not a recommended read for pleasure. However, if you have a more academic bent, especially for feminism, anti-racism, American history, or queer studies--Whitman has surprisingly bold and forward-thinking opinions for a work with such contemporary popularity.

ethanawang's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

aftaerglows's review against another edition

2.0

i realized i didn't actually read "leaves of grass" but a book containing whitman's most important poems from that work, which is why i changed the edition (it's 88 pages while the actual book is like 500 or something).
anyways, i don't enjoy poetry that much so the low rating is my fault, and i skimmed a lot; but i noticed he made it a point to talk positively about feminism which i appreciated.

rebeccazh's review against another edition

i only read song of myself and i sing the body electric but i loved how celebratory they were of life and the human body. he was reveling in the simplest of pleasures, like a blade of grass or a lover's touch, but also so appreciative of the sublime

worstarchitect's review against another edition

totally stream of consciousness yapping. It's pretty cool though. In some sections the imagery is very vivid and wonderful but for the most part he's just saying things. The prose part before song of myself is truly crazy

jcpitts_24's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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? N/A

4.0

kippenautomat's review against another edition

5.0

walt whitman is an empath