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eileenthecrow's review
4.0
5 stars for Goblin Market. (which was amazing)
3 stars for every other poem in this collection.
3 stars for every other poem in this collection.
earth222emilie's review against another edition
5.0
Not exaggerating when I say this has changed my life. Some poems are sweet and spring-time-summery (like 'sound sleep' and 'an apple gathering' and, of course, 'spring'), some are dark (like the titular 'the goblin market' and many of the devotional pieces), and some are devoted ('the convent threshold'!! 'blood's a bar I cannot pass' ahh <3).
I adore any & all springtime imagery as it's my favourite time of year, and so even reading this in late summer has been a blessing, has felt like a necessary ritual. The titular poem easily made the strongest impression on me, but I am just obsessed with the pastoral, whimsical, comedic, yet subtle and half-given-away feeling of much of Rossetti's collection. 'No Thank You, John' is a particularly timeless and witty poem, which I've since chosen to learn by heart.
And so many lines stand out in this realm of comic, sapphic, sunny divinity (for even the inexplicitly devotional contains footsteps of Rosetti's strong faith); 'I counted rosiest apples on earth/Of far less worth than love (An Apple Gathering), 'They sucked their fruit globes fair or red' (The Goblin Market), 'The wicked, quaint fruit-merchant men,/ Their fruits like honey to the throat' (The Goblin Market), 'That all my past results in "if"-/ If I might see another Spring' (Another Spring), 'Flowers preach to us if we will hear' ("Consider the Lilies of the Field"). These are just the ones I can remember without opening the book.
The true joy of this collection, for me, is Rossetti's rhythmic, rhymic talent. Each poem seems singable, in a way I've truly never experienced before when consuming poetry. Her use of rhyme is so pleasing and gentle. Everything flows. Language shines. Themes and narratives shine. I know I will be rereading these forever and ever and I am so grateful that I got to exist in a world with Christina Rossetti's poetry in it.
I adore any & all springtime imagery as it's my favourite time of year, and so even reading this in late summer has been a blessing, has felt like a necessary ritual. The titular poem easily made the strongest impression on me, but I am just obsessed with the pastoral, whimsical, comedic, yet subtle and half-given-away feeling of much of Rossetti's collection. 'No Thank You, John' is a particularly timeless and witty poem, which I've since chosen to learn by heart.
And so many lines stand out in this realm of comic, sapphic, sunny divinity (for even the inexplicitly devotional contains footsteps of Rosetti's strong faith); 'I counted rosiest apples on earth/Of far less worth than love (An Apple Gathering), 'They sucked their fruit globes fair or red' (The Goblin Market), 'The wicked, quaint fruit-merchant men,/ Their fruits like honey to the throat' (The Goblin Market), 'That all my past results in "if"-/ If I might see another Spring' (Another Spring), 'Flowers preach to us if we will hear' ("Consider the Lilies of the Field"). These are just the ones I can remember without opening the book.
The true joy of this collection, for me, is Rossetti's rhythmic, rhymic talent. Each poem seems singable, in a way I've truly never experienced before when consuming poetry. Her use of rhyme is so pleasing and gentle. Everything flows. Language shines. Themes and narratives shine. I know I will be rereading these forever and ever and I am so grateful that I got to exist in a world with Christina Rossetti's poetry in it.
rachellen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed ‘the convent threshold’ and ‘up-hill’.
madelinerandall's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
3.25
Loved Goblin Market and liked a lot of the other poems but I basically skimmed the ‘Devotionals’ section because they were all religious and I couldn’t get into it. Still enjoyed though!
sadiebroussard's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I bought this little book in London years ago. I’m going to a lecture on Christina Rossetti and her “Goblin Market” next month and wanted to read it before then. What a well written, lovely poem! It’s so strange and imaginative. I enjoyed the theme and I just love the language Rossetti uses. I mean, some of it is pretty filthy, honestly. The act of sisterly sacrifice and love in the end is beautiful. I’m definitely going to give it a couple of more readings before the lecture.
beillumined's review against another edition
3.0
I have had this wee little book of poetry since college and randomly decided to give it another read. The only poem that really captures me is Goblin Market, which I truly enjoy, otherwise the poetry isn't much my style.