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jramm's review against another edition
4.0
After a full summer battling Infinite Jest (and thoroughly enjoying it), this book was welcome relief. It is a mix of homespun wisdom and incredibly insightful commentary. While very accessible, Masters is astute. He has a lot to say about living, death, and regret (and a surprising amount on lawyers). This is the kind of book you can give to your Grandma, with a nice note that says "I love you," and then have something to discuss over the holidays as you help her wash the dishes.
On morality's drive, for instance, from Sexsmith the Dentist: "Why, a moral truth is a hollow tooth / Which must be propped with gold." Some wisdom from old Lucinda Matlock: "What is this I hear of sorrow and weariness, / Anger, discontent and drooping hopes? / Degenerate sons and daughters, Life is too strong for you -- / It takes life to love Life." And something about living from Davis Matlock: "Well, I say to live it out like a God / Sure of immortal life, though you are in doubt, / Is the way to live it. / If that doesn't make God proud of you / Then God is nothing but gravitation, / Or sleep is the golden goal."
I'm now heeding the call of George Gray: "To put meaning in one's life may end in madness, / But life without meaning is the torture / Of restlessness and vague desire -- / It is a boat longing for the sea and yet afraid." And I'm living life as Fiddler Jones, my acreage be damned (you'll have to read that one on your own: http://tiny.cc/796r5).
On morality's drive, for instance, from Sexsmith the Dentist: "Why, a moral truth is a hollow tooth / Which must be propped with gold." Some wisdom from old Lucinda Matlock: "What is this I hear of sorrow and weariness, / Anger, discontent and drooping hopes? / Degenerate sons and daughters, Life is too strong for you -- / It takes life to love Life." And something about living from Davis Matlock: "Well, I say to live it out like a God / Sure of immortal life, though you are in doubt, / Is the way to live it. / If that doesn't make God proud of you / Then God is nothing but gravitation, / Or sleep is the golden goal."
I'm now heeding the call of George Gray: "To put meaning in one's life may end in madness, / But life without meaning is the torture / Of restlessness and vague desire -- / It is a boat longing for the sea and yet afraid." And I'm living life as Fiddler Jones, my acreage be damned (you'll have to read that one on your own: http://tiny.cc/796r5).
ghumpherys's review against another edition
2.0
This was our most recent book club selection and it wasn't my favorite. At times I felt like I was wading through a college assignment trying to make sense of some of the poems, and overall, it was just pretty negative and depressing. There were a handful of the poems (monologues from people buried in the cemetery of a small town) that I really liked, but overall there were too many that dealt with affairs, murders and basically the lifeview that God isn't important and there is no purpose to life.
markfeltskog's review against another edition
If this book isn’t a masterpiece and a classic, then I guess I don’t know what is.
emanuelanovelli's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
jacobshale's review against another edition
4.0
Creatively written. Many good examples of irony. Many poems connect together via different townsfolk and work together to paint a picture of a small town community. Themes include irony and desperation of life, hard times, justice, etc.
deadwolfbones's review against another edition
4.0
Very good.
Makes me want to re-read Wolfe's Peace.
Makes me want to re-read Wolfe's Peace.
eantoinette285's review against another edition
4.0
I read this for an online class I was taking with James Franco and I'm so glad this was on the reading list! Great characters.. Such macabre stories sometimes. It reminded me a bit of a movie Tim Burton could make in his own weird way, or riding through the Haunted Mansion in Disney while all the ghosts tell you of their untimely endings. Great and quick read!
kristenlynn94's review against another edition
3.0
Spoon River Anthology was read for ENG 181 Literary Analysis and Interpretation.