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A review by jkbartlett
Jimmy's Blues and Other Poems by James Baldwin
3.0
Baldwin's poems are only three stars in light of the entirety of the body of his work. I am certain that there are those who are much more familiar and in tune with poetry who can pore through Jimmy's Blues again and again.
Still, even for a ignoramus of poetry such as myself- there are forceful poems in this book. The first and best of which is "Staggerlee wonders" which indicts the whitewashing of American history. Sadly more relevant today than it should be. "Gypsy" and "Inventory / On Being 52" were the other two standouts.
Certainly not my favorite Baldwin but I underlined enough in this book to go back and read it again. Every once in a while there was a line that needed to be read at least twice. "Columbus was discovered by what he found", "...love is the purpose of the human voice".
I am glad that I read it and would recommend it. But I have always found Baldwin's prose to be brilliantly poetic in and of itself. I would go to his fiction first.
Still, even for a ignoramus of poetry such as myself- there are forceful poems in this book. The first and best of which is "Staggerlee wonders" which indicts the whitewashing of American history. Sadly more relevant today than it should be. "Gypsy" and "Inventory / On Being 52" were the other two standouts.
Certainly not my favorite Baldwin but I underlined enough in this book to go back and read it again. Every once in a while there was a line that needed to be read at least twice. "Columbus was discovered by what he found", "...love is the purpose of the human voice".
I am glad that I read it and would recommend it. But I have always found Baldwin's prose to be brilliantly poetic in and of itself. I would go to his fiction first.