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lilyaulait's review against another edition
4.0
i only actually read howl, but i couldn't find any way to log just that, so here are some thoughts as i go along:
i.
- honestly i'm obsessed with the line "ah, Carl, while you are not safe I am not safe, and now you’re really in the total animal soup of time"
- other than that, almost nothing (except for a handful of phrases/lines) stood out to me, but i loved the rhythm of the words.
ii.
- you can actually enjoy this part a lot if you just read it as a man who's high as balls crying in front of a hotel about this god of sacrifice at 3am.
iii.
- it's nice that this shares some structural similarities to a traditional ballad.
- makes me feel supported due to the strength of their friendship.
- the final line ("in my dreams you walk dripping from a sea-journey on the highway across America in tears to the door of my cottage in the Western night") is the best of the dreamy imagery in this poem
historical context is key.
i.
- honestly i'm obsessed with the line "ah, Carl, while you are not safe I am not safe, and now you’re really in the total animal soup of time"
- other than that, almost nothing (except for a handful of phrases/lines) stood out to me, but i loved the rhythm of the words.
ii.
- you can actually enjoy this part a lot if you just read it as a man who's high as balls crying in front of a hotel about this god of sacrifice at 3am.
iii.
- it's nice that this shares some structural similarities to a traditional ballad.
- makes me feel supported due to the strength of their friendship.
- the final line ("in my dreams you walk dripping from a sea-journey on the highway across America in tears to the door of my cottage in the Western night") is the best of the dreamy imagery in this poem
historical context is key.
phloon's review against another edition
challenging
3.5
These poems evoke powerful imagery of the hellish and tedious life capitalism creates. I can understand why this is a classic, but I feel like none of these poems are going to stick with me.
spectracommunist's review against another edition
5.0
Howl
What a magnificent piece! Dedicated to Carl Solomon, whom he met in an asylum. It perfectly describes the death of the American dream as the citizens of late capitalism and how it demands fakeness in an individual, which leads to the birth of underground for the beat generation artists, and the proses revolve around freedom, sex, violence, and spiritualism. I especially love how Ginsberg jumps from places to places in the lines as a stream of consciousness and it literally feels like a trip. I found this segment from James Franco's movie with the same name:
Howl Animated
I don't think any interpretation of this work should be spoon-fed like that, but still, it's beautiful.
A Supermarket in California
Here, Ginsberg talks about Walt Whitman in his elder days as a supermarket owner, he observes how America has shifted to greed and the dream is dying in front of his eyes. Ginsberg even juxtaposes the conditions of the Beat artists with Whitman.
America
This one's so fucking funny! A parody of hypocrites. Believe me, this could be your favourite one. Hear it yourself:
Ginsberg recites America
Sunflower Sutra
A Sutra is a wise saying in Hindu and Buddhist scripts. Here, Ginsberg describes him and Kerouac sitting at the banks of a lake and has a vision of a blooming Sunflower: like the birth of a revolution or some ideology that's dwelling on the pure hearts of humankind.
Transcription of Organ Music
Ginsberg was influenced by his friend Kerouac on reverberating his works with jazz beats and pop music of 50's:
Recital with beats
lucazani11's review against another edition
4.0
AMERICA
"America" is a poem by the American poet Allen Ginsberg, written in 1956. It is a political and social commentary on the United States during the mid-20th century. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which expresses different aspects of Ginsberg's critique of America.
In the first part of the poem, Ginsberg expresses his frustration with the country's politics and the hypocrisy of its leaders. He criticizes the government for its involvement in the Cold War and its treatment of African Americans. The lines "America, I'm putting my queer shoulder to the wheel" and "America, when will you be angelic?" suggest that Ginsberg is trying to push America in a better direction, but he is met with resistance.
The second part of the poem is a personal account of Ginsberg's experiences in a mental institution. He uses this experience to comment on the state of mental health care in the country. He criticizes the institutions for their use of drugs to control patients and the dehumanizing treatment of patients.
In the final part of the poem, Ginsberg expresses his hope for a better America. He calls for a revolution and an end to capitalism. He expresses his desire for a society based on love and understanding, rather than greed and materialism.
Overall, "America" is a critique of the United States during the mid-20th century. Ginsberg uses his poetry to express his frustration with the country's politics, social inequalities, and the dehumanization of its citizens. While the poem is critical, it is also hopeful. Ginsberg believes that America has the potential to be better and calls on its citizens to work towards a better future.
"America" is a poem by the American poet Allen Ginsberg, written in 1956. It is a political and social commentary on the United States during the mid-20th century. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which expresses different aspects of Ginsberg's critique of America.
In the first part of the poem, Ginsberg expresses his frustration with the country's politics and the hypocrisy of its leaders. He criticizes the government for its involvement in the Cold War and its treatment of African Americans. The lines "America, I'm putting my queer shoulder to the wheel" and "America, when will you be angelic?" suggest that Ginsberg is trying to push America in a better direction, but he is met with resistance.
The second part of the poem is a personal account of Ginsberg's experiences in a mental institution. He uses this experience to comment on the state of mental health care in the country. He criticizes the institutions for their use of drugs to control patients and the dehumanizing treatment of patients.
In the final part of the poem, Ginsberg expresses his hope for a better America. He calls for a revolution and an end to capitalism. He expresses his desire for a society based on love and understanding, rather than greed and materialism.
Overall, "America" is a critique of the United States during the mid-20th century. Ginsberg uses his poetry to express his frustration with the country's politics, social inequalities, and the dehumanization of its citizens. While the poem is critical, it is also hopeful. Ginsberg believes that America has the potential to be better and calls on its citizens to work towards a better future.
evethingiread's review against another edition
3.0
Super quick read. Howl definitely needs another read, and so do his other poems. I can't help but see Allen, this lonely man who despises "the system", born in the mid 20s and experiencing the 50s and the political upheaval in America but the world in general, who can't stand how much people stand to lose because of the way "the system" is designed not for the people but really against them... His language tells me that he's angry, but sad and lonely.
Sadness overwhelms me after reading all the poems in this pocket series. Genius is always clouded with darkness, and that is depressing to say the least.
Sadness overwhelms me after reading all the poems in this pocket series. Genius is always clouded with darkness, and that is depressing to say the least.
isabela_bot's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
Disappointed, I think maybe I’m not intelectual enough to understand the meaning behind it. The American history part of it didn’t have much meaning to me as well. But I enjoyed his writing, especially the last poems and maybe would read his other works.
My favorite poem was SONG.
“for the burden of life is love”
“ I always wanted, to return
to the body
where I was born.”
Disappointed, I think maybe I’m not intelectual enough to understand the meaning behind it. The American history part of it didn’t have much meaning to me as well. But I enjoyed his writing, especially the last poems and maybe would read his other works.
My favorite poem was SONG.
“for the burden of life is love”
“ I always wanted, to return
to the body
where I was born.”
internetrex's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
karlicka's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
5.0