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A review by rick_k
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
3.0
On an individual basis, many of these poems are great. There is a pride and promise of America that bursts from the lines with fanfare-like repetition. However, at 600+ pages it becomes relentless.
My mind became numb to the line level imagery about a third of the way through and gave over to the macro-level themes and history reflected in his work. We see him young, hedonistic, and idealistic; in love with love and possibility. Which gives way to thoughts and race and war and the loss of Abraham Lincoln. Then his belief in his own greatness, and the role his nation will take on the world stage. He describes everything as electric as technology advances, then the rise of Chicago (loved that part). And finally, his internal struggle with age, legacy, and death. Near the end he seems afraid that every poem will be his epitaph and you get a series of false finales (like [book:The Return of the King|61215384]).
As a whole it is an astounding artifact, but not a recommended read for pleasure. However, if you have a more academic bent, especially for feminism, anti-racism, American history, or queer studies--Whitman has surprisingly bold and forward-thinking opinions for a work with such contemporary popularity.
My mind became numb to the line level imagery about a third of the way through and gave over to the macro-level themes and history reflected in his work. We see him young, hedonistic, and idealistic; in love with love and possibility. Which gives way to thoughts and race and war and the loss of Abraham Lincoln. Then his belief in his own greatness, and the role his nation will take on the world stage. He describes everything as electric as technology advances, then the rise of Chicago (loved that part). And finally, his internal struggle with age, legacy, and death. Near the end he seems afraid that every poem will be his epitaph and you get a series of false finales (like [book:The Return of the King|61215384]).
As a whole it is an astounding artifact, but not a recommended read for pleasure. However, if you have a more academic bent, especially for feminism, anti-racism, American history, or queer studies--Whitman has surprisingly bold and forward-thinking opinions for a work with such contemporary popularity.