My family has told me many a time that I’m descended from the Acadians. That somewhere there’s an old tape of family members speaking Cajun, so I’ve bMy family has told me many a time that I’m descended from the Acadians. That somewhere there’s an old tape of family members speaking Cajun, so I’ve been growing in curiosity as to what my heritage actually is. I was playing the song “Acadian Driftwood” by The Band, and learned that the song was inspired in large part by this poem, so I had to check it out.
It’s honestly a quick read, but dense and chock full of imagery. The story is primarily about faith, mainly of a religious nature. One of the strengths of the language for me was the landscape, Longfellow takes great lengths to detail the land. Which makes sense, given that this story is of an expulsion of a people’s, and their wayward journey to find a new home.
Longfellow attempted to dress the story in an as epic a scale as possible. The meter, the biblical references, all of it was to make it BIG. Which is fitting the theme of love, and of home, I think. I also found it fun to see so many antiquated words throughout the text and find out their meanings. ...more
The sentences, the language of the book is the novel’s strength. The plot is a bit fuzzy, the dialogue and characters stiff. There is a certain feelinThe sentences, the language of the book is the novel’s strength. The plot is a bit fuzzy, the dialogue and characters stiff. There is a certain feeling of distance from the story that kept me from being pulled in, which with the subject matter should have been easier. But maybe that is the author’s intention. A more analytical structure, a poetic lens than one following a more traditional novel’s style. I think other reviews I’ve read had noted this as well, and said so more in depth than I have.
I love the novel’s title and cover and even more by the synopsis. The connection of water and memory and loss. It’s a good book, with some wonderful language and some powerful imagery. ...more
This is about WW2 but I'd go far to say that it is a story about how occupations are bound to fail. I read that this was a stage play first, and it reThis is about WW2 but I'd go far to say that it is a story about how occupations are bound to fail. I read that this was a stage play first, and it really shows in the structure of the novel, but I think even in its simplicity the novel makes it a light but enjoyable read. ...more
I wish this was either shorter or smaller. The random selections following The Crisis that are provided feel fragmented, and at times I wish there wasI wish this was either shorter or smaller. The random selections following The Crisis that are provided feel fragmented, and at times I wish there was some historical context provided with the text. But Paine is a good writer, very passionate and determined and I found his voice interesting and engaging. ...more
It was interesting to see his work transform overtime. Grow more pessimistic. i think it was after his back injury. Being in that much pain can do a lIt was interesting to see his work transform overtime. Grow more pessimistic. i think it was after his back injury. Being in that much pain can do a lot to you. Nonetheless, I enjoyed his touches of surrealism, even his dedication to the ol' love poems. It might not be accurate, but Patchen to me seems to be this bridge between the Beats and the older generation before them. A mix of old and some of what was to come. His visual poetry I think i enjoyed the best. ...more
This feels like an outpouring of creativity, written over the course of several years. Its very dense. Most of Corso’s greatest hits are here, and areThis feels like an outpouring of creativity, written over the course of several years. Its very dense. Most of Corso’s greatest hits are here, and are always enjoyable when read again. The images and tone are stark but hopeful, with many references to Ancient Greece and Rome sprinkled about. The feeling of bygone time and mythological imagery. Crazed policemen and Generals and death. ...more
A very good introduction to the many women Beat writers, all of whom deserve more attention. I wish there was more here, it's like a sample pack when A very good introduction to the many women Beat writers, all of whom deserve more attention. I wish there was more here, it's like a sample pack when there's plenty of samples but the samples are very small. The very important take-away from this book, is that the Beat generation are much more complex than outsiders think, and the women writers of the era deserve just as much praise as the men, if not more so. ...more
Besides capturing a bit of the time period, the book is also interesting for showcasing the respective authors’ style in its early stages, and some ofBesides capturing a bit of the time period, the book is also interesting for showcasing the respective authors’ style in its early stages, and some of the qualities already inherent in their works. I think they should have added Ginsberg’s writing about the murder as well, to round out the work a little more. The book is nothing mind-blowing, but if you want to see young writers at work trying to create art from an experience that would change their lives this is a good example. ...more
I’ve read some of Harrison’s poetry and watched some Yotube clips of him and memes on Facebook, and dare I say I got curious as to his prose.
I don’t I’ve read some of Harrison’s poetry and watched some Yotube clips of him and memes on Facebook, and dare I say I got curious as to his prose.
I don’t think this book is his strongest outing, but is probably the most recognized due to the Brad Pitt movie. There’s also the Kevin Coster one, too, but that movie is probably best forgotten.
All three novellas are written in this past tense, summary style that never shifts, diverts, but stays on this surface level, birds eye view of the events. The sentences are often beautiful, but I found it hard to dig in due to this. Its like when someone tells you a summary of their day without any emphasis or setup and then when its over you feel zero connection or emotional response.
The middle story too is a cliche product of a writer prone to heavy drinking and writing about the female body. It feels very dated, overall, and it was the least enjoyable of the 3 stories.
Upon first reading I thought Harrison was a huge Hemingway fan, I later learned he preferred Faulkner, which explains why every so often he chokes a sentence with an unnecessary, large and overcomplicated word. ...more
One of my poet friends once told me how displeased he was at this book, and that it should be a work best avoided. I am glad Nick Offerman's performanOne of my poet friends once told me how displeased he was at this book, and that it should be a work best avoided. I am glad Nick Offerman's performance in this audiobook proved otherwise. I found it funny, interesting and at times, moving. It satirizes the chivalric genre yet at the same time plays into the genre in amusing ways, and criticizes 19th century politics and whatnot perfectly with each passing chapter. The ending is a little dark for how much of a light affair it is up to that point, which caught me off guard but I still loved the story overall. I love how Twain takes a jab at mysticism and cultism here for rationalism and science. Just beautiful. ...more
An incredible book that shows Guthrie’s storytelling talent. I’m not sure how much of this is factual but honestly it doesn’t matter (to me), as I thiAn incredible book that shows Guthrie’s storytelling talent. I’m not sure how much of this is factual but honestly it doesn’t matter (to me), as I think this is an effective telling by Guthrie to show the world as he saw it. The descriptions are clear and specific and the dialogue full of long gone vernacular, full of local color. This is a collection of snippets from his life, not major moments but moments nonetheless. The illustrations by Guthrie himself add a nice touch as well.
I recommend this book for any folk music fan, those interested in 1930’s America or hobos. ...more
What a fantastic use of language, and conveying the horrors of war. Can definitely tell this is Before Hemingway, the grandiose flair in the language What a fantastic use of language, and conveying the horrors of war. Can definitely tell this is Before Hemingway, the grandiose flair in the language is both poetic and striking. Like most “anti-war” movies, it fails to be truly anti-war, and glamorizes the battle the same way a film usually does.
I actually played this audiobook twice in my car, since I missed so many details the first time. ...more
A truly incredible book. Funny, charming, and shocking. The ending is kind of "huh?" inducing, as if Twain just ran out of juice and decided to get thA truly incredible book. Funny, charming, and shocking. The ending is kind of "huh?" inducing, as if Twain just ran out of juice and decided to get the thing sent to the publisher. There's a lightning to this book in its exactness towards dialogue and its people and their beliefs and viewpoints. There's also a violence in the novel that is unflinchingly told, yet nearly glossed over as if it's an everyday thing (which of course it is, unfortunately). Twain was poking fun at the time and not holding anything back. Of course the more obvious example is the use of the N word, which i read somewhere is totalling around 200 or more. You are supposed to be uncomfortable.
I got this nice hardcover copy dated 1918, it's solid green and in very good shape, adding to my reading experience. I wanted to reread the book since i hadn't since high school, and I was a terrible, terrible reader then, I'm a little better now.
I'm glad I decided to go down the river with Jim and Huck, it's a wonderful read. The way Twain writes about the river is someone who knows it by heart, which I know he did from his days working on the Ferry, described in "Life On The Mississippi", another wonderful book. ...more
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