Product Description

Poetry After Modernism, Story Line's most successful anthology of criticism, was recognized and widely praised for raising the level of discourse on poetry. This expanded edition retains seven original essays and adds seven new pieces. As editor Robert McDowell points out, "Poets who can write good critical prose from distinctive points of view are the most reliable guides to the news we need to hear most".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #802362 in Books
• Published on: 1998-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

From Library Journal
This is a collection of critical essays on the state of contemporary American poetry. As editor McDowell states, "In agreeing to write for this book, the authors accepted broad suggestions on topics, then followed their individual, aggressive instincts." Herein lies the anthology's salient flaw--its fundamental lack of unity. The reader emerges with the feeling of having read 12 essays that just happen to have been sewn together in one volume. Thus, it is difficult to generalize about the book, but two unfortunate tendencies are noticeable. First, although there is certainly some enlightening analysis, the writing is often marred by pat, reductive pronouncements. Second, several essays are little more than superficial surveys of the topic in hand, devoting one paragraph to each poet covered, then attempting in vain to synthesize a mass of disparate material in a brief conclusion. Not recommended.
- Jeffrey R. Luttrell, Youngstown State Univ., Ohio
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.