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davybaby's review against another edition
4.0
Spoon River Anthology is a collection of poems, each from the perspective of a townsperson in Spoon River. All are dead, and reflect back on their lives. Reading it is reminiscent of walking through an old graveyard and wondering about its residents.
Things I love:
1. The use of perspective. By presenting a person's view of their life and then contrasting it with a spouse, friend or family member, Masters exhibits many textbook examples of dramatic or comedic irony.
2. It was famously based on Masters' town, with many of the specific events, characters, and names based on people Masters knew in life. This brought a fair amount of scandal, as many of the epitaphs in SRA are unflattering.
3. Released in 1915, it was preoccupied with the concerns of the Midwestern late 1800s. The Civil War and Lincoln's death had left scars on many of the characters, and helped to humanize the history of the time.
I love a collection whose parts work together. It combines the crude and thoughtless cruelties of life with beauty and high-minded aspiration. By showing many lives consecutively, it creates an aggregate view of life's possibilities (and lack of guarantees).
Some poems are definitely stronger than others, but this also works thematically. Like people, some of the poems have less to say than others; their perspective is less nuanced and there is less to connect to.
It was a really good read. If you're a fan of poetry or turn of the century American lit, I'd highly recommend it.
Things I love:
1. The use of perspective. By presenting a person's view of their life and then contrasting it with a spouse, friend or family member, Masters exhibits many textbook examples of dramatic or comedic irony.
2. It was famously based on Masters' town, with many of the specific events, characters, and names based on people Masters knew in life. This brought a fair amount of scandal, as many of the epitaphs in SRA are unflattering.
3. Released in 1915, it was preoccupied with the concerns of the Midwestern late 1800s. The Civil War and Lincoln's death had left scars on many of the characters, and helped to humanize the history of the time.
I love a collection whose parts work together. It combines the crude and thoughtless cruelties of life with beauty and high-minded aspiration. By showing many lives consecutively, it creates an aggregate view of life's possibilities (and lack of guarantees).
Some poems are definitely stronger than others, but this also works thematically. Like people, some of the poems have less to say than others; their perspective is less nuanced and there is less to connect to.
It was a really good read. If you're a fan of poetry or turn of the century American lit, I'd highly recommend it.
dsbookie's review against another edition
3.0
This was pretty good. There were a few mistakes in the printing process, but otherwise it was good.
moirab's review against another edition
4.0
I'd like to revisit this when I have more time to delve into the connections.
dolorsitamet's review against another edition
3.0
It was alright...I've seen the idea better captured in Winesburg Ohio -- the poetry's not particularly remarkable consistently; though some move, 'tis too few for so many [the ratio's off]
alice2000's review against another edition
5.0
Casey's Challenge 2016 - #15: Poems
Masters is one of my favorite poets with George Gray being my favorite poem.I recommend this to anyone who loves poetry.
Masters is one of my favorite poets with George Gray being my favorite poem.I recommend this to anyone who loves poetry.
leaton01's review against another edition
5.0
I had heard about the book and it's overall impact on other literary authors and found the concept fascinating. So I picked up the book at my friend's house and started reading. Well, I ended up having to buy a copy and read it because I was so compelled. I love the idea and it's overall execution. The book is a collection of poems that are written by dead people in the town of Spoon River. Each poem highlights the dead person's life in concrete and abstract ways. Through these poetic sermons, we learn about how the town worked and didn't work. It's a lot of fun but I have to wonder if there is some site out there that provides a map of the characters and how they interconnect. That would be fascinating to look at.
If you enjoyed this review, feel free to check out my other reviews and writings at By Any Other Nerd/
If you enjoyed this review, feel free to check out my other reviews and writings at By Any Other Nerd/
samantha_reads_more's review against another edition
4.0
Reread this as part of a work reading challenge, and honestly I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time I read it.
I love the idea of hearing from a whole community after death. It allows for freedom in storytelling, as well as continuity throughout it. Idk, I just really enjoyed it.
I love the idea of hearing from a whole community after death. It allows for freedom in storytelling, as well as continuity throughout it. Idk, I just really enjoyed it.
ifthebook's review against another edition
1.0
Dull. Boring. Repetitive. There were a few epitaphs that I liked, but overall this was a true struggle to get through, which is rather amazing considering how short it is.