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chamomiledaydreams's review
4.0
I studied James Baldwin in college a little bit, although I was only exposed to his short stories and other small examples of his writing. I never knew that he was a poet, and I wish that I had gotten the chance to study his poems in class, too! This collection is amazing, although I don't have the proper words to explain why. I would probably just end up repeating, "It's so good" without elaborating further. There's something about his word choice, combined with the themes and the musicality of his style that is succinct and impactful. Even his longer poems breezed by me in the blink of an eye. Suffice it to say, I will definitely make a point to read more James Baldwin in the future! (The introduction in this collection was also great. It provided just enough context for the work and hyped up the poems perfectly.)
kmatthe2's review
3.0
And inconsistent collection. Some of the poems sore and have the beauty for which Baldwin is known. Other pomes fall flat and feel a bit sophomoric. Overall, the few great make it worth the read.
cowboyjonah's review
5.0
Literally amazinggg my favorite were Staggerlee wonders, Munich Winter 193, Death is easy, Inventory/On Being 52, Song For The Shepard Boy
jkbartlett's review
3.0
Baldwin's poems are only three stars in light of the entirety of the body of his work. I am certain that there are those who are much more familiar and in tune with poetry who can pore through Jimmy's Blues again and again.
Still, even for a ignoramus of poetry such as myself- there are forceful poems in this book. The first and best of which is "Staggerlee wonders" which indicts the whitewashing of American history. Sadly more relevant today than it should be. "Gypsy" and "Inventory / On Being 52" were the other two standouts.
Certainly not my favorite Baldwin but I underlined enough in this book to go back and read it again. Every once in a while there was a line that needed to be read at least twice. "Columbus was discovered by what he found", "...love is the purpose of the human voice".
I am glad that I read it and would recommend it. But I have always found Baldwin's prose to be brilliantly poetic in and of itself. I would go to his fiction first.
Still, even for a ignoramus of poetry such as myself- there are forceful poems in this book. The first and best of which is "Staggerlee wonders" which indicts the whitewashing of American history. Sadly more relevant today than it should be. "Gypsy" and "Inventory / On Being 52" were the other two standouts.
Certainly not my favorite Baldwin but I underlined enough in this book to go back and read it again. Every once in a while there was a line that needed to be read at least twice. "Columbus was discovered by what he found", "...love is the purpose of the human voice".
I am glad that I read it and would recommend it. But I have always found Baldwin's prose to be brilliantly poetic in and of itself. I would go to his fiction first.
amandagrau's review
4.25
4.25
Everything he touches is gold.
Favourite poems in the collection:
- Staggerlee wonders
- The giver (for Berdis)
- 3.00 a.m. (for David)
- Guilt, Desire and Love
- Inventory/On being 52
- Untitled
Everything he touches is gold.
Favourite poems in the collection:
- Staggerlee wonders
- The giver (for Berdis)
- 3.00 a.m. (for David)
- Guilt, Desire and Love
- Inventory/On being 52
- Untitled
rryep's review
3.75
#Poetry
* Non Fiction
* Main Topics: Black - African American Culture, Race, Gender, Identity, LGBTQIA - Queer, Feelings
* POC author (Black)
* Queer+ author
* Introduction by Nikky Finney
* My Favorite poems: 'Le sporting club de Monte Carlo', 'Staggerlee Wonders', 'Imagination', 'The Giver', 'Amen'
* Non Fiction
* Main Topics: Black - African American Culture, Race, Gender, Identity, LGBTQIA - Queer, Feelings
* POC author (Black)
* Queer+ author
* Introduction by Nikky Finney
* My Favorite poems: 'Le sporting club de Monte Carlo', 'Staggerlee Wonders', 'Imagination', 'The Giver', 'Amen'