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fbradley's review
5.0
I have poured over this book, slowly, over the course of a year, and it has been a great source of comfort to me during a time in my life when comfort was difficult to come by. At last, it is finished, accomplished, and yet, difficult to put down. (Good thing she has a second volume). There are different ways to read the words of Margaret Atwood, at a surface level, which can often be frustrating and incomplete, and beneath the surface, under which lurks endless possibilities. Every day was a new discovery, every line, a treasure. If you like to think, this book is for you, if not, walk away before you hurt yourself.
_tourist's review against another edition
1.0
I really did not enjoy this, thought thankfully it was a very quick read. I did not enjoy the poetry. The poems themselves felt clunky, repetitive themes, with lacklustre imagery, overcrowded wording, and a lack of rhythm or elegance. Now I am by no means a poetry expert, but nevertheless to my inexpert eye these poems lacked the aesthetic pleasure I have come to associate with the medium. Perhaps I have simply been spoiled by excellent translations of classic Japanese works.
I did learn a lot for use in my own practice. I am even less an expert of writing poetry than I am of reading it, so the techniques, layouts, and grammatical structures did give me some ideas for improving my own craft.
I did learn a lot for use in my own practice. I am even less an expert of writing poetry than I am of reading it, so the techniques, layouts, and grammatical structures did give me some ideas for improving my own craft.
kamckim's review
3.0
As the title clearly states, this is a selection of Atwood's poetry from her early years. It includes selections from previously published works, THE CIRCLE GAME (1966), THE ANIMALS IN THAT COUNTRY (1968), THE JOURNALS OF SUSANNA MOODIE (1970), PROCEDURES FOR UNDERGROUND (1970), POWER POLITICS (1971) and YOU ARE HAPPY (1974).
The first few books were a bit too intimate for me. Many of the poems seemed like they are direct comments on her relationships with men, and it was just a bit too revealing. It made me uncomfortable, but that's what good poets should do. She does quite clearly establish herself as a feminist writer, themes which are soon to emerge in many of her novels.
The pace started to pick up a bit in THE JOURNALS OF SUSANNA MOODIE. I was pleasantly surprised that she had essentially written a verse novel. And this might be one of the earliest examples of this narrative structure. The voice of the poems progresses over time, as Susanna encounters life in new and unexpected ways.
My favorites were the last two series of selections, ARE YOU HAPPY, being one of the best. Perhaps I was influenced because I've recently read THE PENELOPIAD and loved it. The last cycle in the book is a series of "Circe/Mud Poems". I was fascinated to read all the themes and foreshadowings in these poems that quite clearly informed her interpretation of THE ODYSSEY.
Having familiarized myself with her novels, it was a joy to read her early work. The best thing about reading it was getting to know her in another context. It's quite clear that she has matured as a writer and developed her ideas into her body of work over time, while remaining true to herself and the beliefs she holds dearly.
The first few books were a bit too intimate for me. Many of the poems seemed like they are direct comments on her relationships with men, and it was just a bit too revealing. It made me uncomfortable, but that's what good poets should do. She does quite clearly establish herself as a feminist writer, themes which are soon to emerge in many of her novels.
The pace started to pick up a bit in THE JOURNALS OF SUSANNA MOODIE. I was pleasantly surprised that she had essentially written a verse novel. And this might be one of the earliest examples of this narrative structure. The voice of the poems progresses over time, as Susanna encounters life in new and unexpected ways.
My favorites were the last two series of selections, ARE YOU HAPPY, being one of the best. Perhaps I was influenced because I've recently read THE PENELOPIAD and loved it. The last cycle in the book is a series of "Circe/Mud Poems". I was fascinated to read all the themes and foreshadowings in these poems that quite clearly informed her interpretation of THE ODYSSEY.
Having familiarized myself with her novels, it was a joy to read her early work. The best thing about reading it was getting to know her in another context. It's quite clear that she has matured as a writer and developed her ideas into her body of work over time, while remaining true to herself and the beliefs she holds dearly.
booklady100's review
4.0
MArgaret Atwood knows how to cut through the b.s. we wrap around ourselves.
punkrockingnerd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
motifenjoyer's review
emotional
reflective
5.0
"(My body turned against me
too soon, it was not a tragedy"
Goated đ
too soon, it was not a tragedy"
Goated đ
revmegankelly's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
5.0
Loved these poems which so often packed a punch while simultaneously being creative, artful, and complex. It left me looking forward to catching up on more of Atwoodâs poetry; it feels long overdue!