Reviews

Carver: A Life in Poems by Marilyn Nelson

margaretann84's review

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3.0

I think this would best be accompanied by a biography of Carver, so the reader could see how the poems combine with the history.

daysathomereading's review

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hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

falconerreader's review

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4.0

My tags on this are a little awkward--historical fiction and nonfiction, because it is historical, some of it is imagined, but all based on reality. Poetry and novels in verse, because it is a poetry collection, but put together as they are, they tell the story of a life.

What a life. I'd heard before that he refused payment for his inventions, since they came to him "free from God." From these poems he sounds like a remarkable man, gifted and passionate and incredibly hard-working. The poems, as poetry does, distill experiences and attitudes to their purest form. I will probably remember some of the details better for having read them in this format than I would had I read a traditional biography.

rainbowbookworm's review

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4.0

Simple yet excellent biography in verse.

tamarayork's review

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2.0

This book helped me to realized that I want to learn more about George Washington Carver’s very interesting life. I had no idea he was such a Renaissance man and an absolute genius. Sadly, this book of poems didn’t do much to teach the reader about his life. It offered, often confusing, glimpses into his life from frequently unknown perspectives. I just didn’t get it. And I highly doubt a young reader would either. Off to find a biography of GWC to fill all of the gaps left by this book...

academianut's review

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4.0

So, so powerful - one of the best biographies in verse I've read.

schumack's review

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informative reflective slow-paced

3.25

adoylestl's review

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5.0

Absolutely captivating volume, telling a complex story of all the facets of Carver's life in spare but evocative poems. I loved it.

sshabein's review

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5.0

What a tremendously wonderful way to present a man's life.

booksandbosox's review

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4.0

http://librarianosnark.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-carver.html