The Back Country
by Gary Snyder

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Book Reviews of The Back Country

Book Review: Poetry that speaks volumes without uttering a word
Summary: 5 Stars

The Back Country is divided into three parts - Far West, Far East and Kali, dealing respectively with his time spent as a logger in the Western mountain country, his travels in Japan and his time spent wandering India. Each is wonderful in evoking its landscape, leaping off the page in a language rendered effective by its simple directness ('No thought but in things' in the words of W.C. Williams, in other words - say what you see) influenced by the haikus of zen poets such as Basho and Kenji (whose work is translated by Snyder at the back of this collection). An example of this style, found in the Far West -
'almost at the equator/almost at the equinox/exactly at midnight/from a ship/the full/moon/in the centre of the sky' is perhaps the best poem in the collection (certainly in the first part), Synder creating a vivid, beautiful picture in saying so little.

Not only Zen but also Hindu and even Native American mythology ('A Berry Feast') are to be found amongst the pages and it is clear how close to the poet's heart all matters regarding nature are. Here is a beat who loved to work and sweat in the heat of the mountains ('The Spring')and revelled in exotic, foriegn landscapes and cultures ('Pine River', 'The Public Bath').

Synder served as the muse for Kerouac's Dharma Bums and encouraged him to write his own sutra (he eventually conceded and we have 'The Scripture of the Golden Eternity' to thank Synder for), having a lasting impact on Kerouac's view of all matters spiritual. So much is to be gained from studying The Back Country that it's a wonder (and sad shame) it remains chiefly unknown and unrecognised.

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