Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $13.17 You Save: $8.82 (40%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $9.63 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
Book Review: Easy to buy & easier to read
Summary: 5 Stars
There was a time in the history of the world when great literature was for the rich - so those without means were impoverished twice over! But this is a remarkable example of how the work of poetic genius can touch the lives of every reader in an edition that is complete, exhaustive and affordable. For anyone who adores Emily or wants to learn what all the fuss has been, here's the best buy.Book Review: Johnson Edition
Summary: 5 Stars
So, here's the deal, boys and girls. There are two versions of the reading edition of Emily Dickinson's poems that are usable. And by usable, I mean that the texts (note the work "texts") are what Emily Dickinson wanted the texts to be. The first version is, as I read the description of the volume in question, is the Thomas H. Johnson text. Now, friends, (excuse me if I seem patronizing, but as a Dickinson scholar, long of tooth, and weary of stupidity, I have my prejudices), Johnson's text has been a fully acceptable and competent version since it was published as the authoritative Dickinson in 1955 (Belknap Press of Harvard University Press issued the variorum, three volume version of all the authoritative poems in the same year.) This is cool. The newest version of Emily Dickinson poems was edited by R.W. Franklin, and the readers' edition was published in 1999. There is also a new variorum edition published by Belknap Press of Harvard and edited by Franklin. So. I am boring you with all of this detail to tell you that the Johnson texts are good texts. If you are serious about Dickinson--meaning if you actually care about what she wrote on the page--the Johnson and the Franklin will give accurate texts. F.W. Franklin has been working on details where Johnson lacked insight since the '60's. He knows whereof he speaks, and he has done his utmost to reassemble Ms. Dickinson's original manuscripts in their proper order. Previous versions of the poems--those before Johnson and Franklin--regularized rhyme and otherwise abrogated the accuracy of the poems. They were cleaned up according to late 19th century standards, and the texts--despite editorial comments to the contrary--are corrupt. That means that they are inaccurate. So, dear friends, if you want Emily Dickinson with accuracy--despite the rapturous testimony of some reviewers--go for the Johnson or Franklin texts. The others are mostly fraudulent. And in case you actually care, my credentials are respectable, and I don't work for a publisher. Use Johnson if you have him with confidence. Franklin is most current and should be impeccable. Other texts, including some that are in supposedly respectable American literature anthologies, may be suspect. (One of the most respectable uses texts that derive from late 19th century texts that were declared corrupt some 40 years ago.) So--hope this is of some use.Book Review: She's just the best
Summary: 5 Stars
I often thought I "knew" Emily in a personal way, though I knew that couldn't really be possible, her being dead and all. Still, I felt there was a connection and later, when I was working as a tarot card reader on Church Street in San Francisco I often met people in the course of a day who were sympathetic to this viewpoint. Of course, I wasn't doing much of a good job as a tarot card reader if I was telling people _my_ fantasies, so I quit and got my PhD studying--you got it--Emily Dickinson herself. Well, this is one heck of a book. From the familiar to the obscure, from the ridiculous to the sublime, this book hits a home run and doesn't miss a base as it jogs around the old sandlot diamond. The familiar ones are like old friends, of course, but every now and then there's a rare gem. I'd like to share this: I'd Like to Get Out of this G-d D-mned F-cking Room
It'd be a big help
if I could get out of here for
just a minute.
What a bore this town can be.
They say, "Hey, it's grist for the
old artistic mill,
Emily."
I say--"What total b-llsh-t."
So let me out of here.
I always wanted to give copywriting
a try.
Let me be known as the Belle of
Madison Avenue for a change, already.
Screw this.
How I miss that woman.
Book Review: Fantastic!
Summary: 5 Stars
Emily Dickinson is easily my favorite poet. It was unfortunate that she was essentially undiscovered during her lifetime. This may remind us of one of her poems:----- 441
This is my letter to the World
That never wrote to Me --
The simple News that Nature told --
With tender Majesty
Her Message is committed
To Hands I cannot see --
For love of Her -- Sweet -- countrymen --
Judge tenderly -- of Me
-----
However, I think this poem is a more likely biography and more personal poem:
----- 404
How many Flowers fail in Wood --
Or perish from the Hill --
Without the privilege to know
That they are Beautiful --
How many cast a nameless Pod
Upon the nearest Breeze --
Unconscious of the Scarlet Freight --
It bear to Other Eyes --
-----
There are 1775 poems in all, but the following poem is my favorite. It is also on display in her house in Amherst (MA) in various renditions. Make sure to visit there if you are ever in the area.
----- 67
Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.
Not one of all the purple Host
Who took the Flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of Victory
As he defeated -- dying --
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!
-----
There are so many fantastic poems that I wish I could list them all. I did type them all (!) in once for my personal use and that has been of great benefit. However, I still keep this book that is marked with my own notes. A real treasure.
Book Review: An All-Time Favorite Of Mine
Summary: 5 Stars
This book and The Poetry Of Robert Frost were my introduction to poetry and I felt such a strong connection to both of them that it led to a life long love of this form of writing.