Anthologies

[Rachel Lindley]

I was hoping I'd be able to splurge on a bushel of books as a Christmas present to myself, but unfortunately my finances are tight and I have to limit myself. My favourite second-hand store has supplied me with my novel and philosophy fix, but the poetry section is presently quite sparse. (Hmm, that couldn't have anything to do with me, could it?) Therefore, I thought that picking up one or two good anthologies would do the trick until that magical inheritance from my long-lost Uncle Halbert comes through. Any suggestions? My tastes are quite varied, and I pretty much enjoy reading anything, including old parking tickets, so I'm not limited by genre.

Rachel

[JohnBoddie]

Take a look at the "Best American Poetry" series, which is issued yearly. It will give you a good picture of the sort of thing that's being praised in these strange times.

Alternatively, you could pick up a copy of "Best Canadian Poetry" (26 pages, easy words, big print, lavishly illustrated)

Have fun, stay warm.

JB

[Monique]

Hi Rachel:

I'm currently reading (and really enjoying) '20th Century Poetry and Poetics - fourth edition'.
ISBN: 0195410157
edited by Gary Geddes

-Monique

[Cmosely11]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JohnBoddie:
[B]Take a look at the "Best American Poetry" series, which is issued yearly. It will give you a good picture of the sort of thing that's being praised in these strange times.

** although i'd recommend avoiding the newer ones (98', 99', and 2000)and getting ones before that. the newer ones are just not what they used to be.

[cel]

If you don't have a Norton's, look for one used at a college supply store. A Book of Luminous Things edited by Czeslaw Milosz also has a good variety and some real gems.

[Adam]

Hi Rachel,

I recommend the Norton Anthology of Postmodern American Poetry edited by Paul Hoover. It’s not a fruity celebration of post-structuralist “navel gazing,” but a nicely annotated presentation of what has been considered avant-garde over the past 50 years in the US. Especially if you’ve never had a formal education in creative writing, I think the introduction by Hoover and the appendix of new essays on poetics (by some of the more wack poets and critics of the last half century) could pay for the book on its own. Reconstruct your head for Christmas.

Also have to agree with JB; I’ve been a longtime fan of the Best American Poetry Series, old and new volumes.

Adam

[Gabe1]

*I have a fondness for the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry.

[Rachel Lindley]

Thanks all, for your suggestions.

John, I'm siccing Margaret Atwood on you.

Adam, I've already had my head reconstructed. Remember? I certainly hope you do, because it's quite possible I may have to ask you to remind me. I did receive some formal education in creative writing -- fat lot of good it's done me. It's funny; I still have occasional difficulty recalling my best friend's name, yet I can, for example, recite Hamlet's third soliloquy verbatim (and I can remember where it's located -- Act III, Scene I, a room in the castle). Or, I can snap off 3 or 4 Heaney poems no problem, but when someone once asked me about Yeats, I drew a complete blank. I didn't even recognize the name. Go figure.

Rachel

[This message has been edited by TheBroad (edited 12-12-2000).]

[Rob Yeatman]

Originally posted by TheBroad:
I was hoping I'd be able to splurge on a bushel of books as a Christmas present to myself, but unfortunately my finances are tight and I have to limit myself. My favourite second-hand store has supplied me with my novel and philosophy fix, but the poetry section is presently quite sparse. (Hmm, that couldn't have anything to do with me, could it?) Therefore, I thought that picking up one or two good anthologies would do the trick until that magical inheritance from my long-lost Uncle Halbert comes through. Any suggestions? My tastes are quite varied, and I pretty much enjoy reading anything, including old parking tickets, so I'm not limited by genre.

Rachel

Hi Rachael.

From a UK viewpoint, my favourite anthology is 'Emergency Kit' edited by Matthew Sweeney and Jo Shapcott. It concentrates very much on contemporary international (but written in English) poetry and is bound to send you scurrying off to find more work by the many wonderful poets within. I'm also very impressed by the new Penguin Book of English Verse edited by Paul Keegan. You may need to find a UK online bookseller to get hold of these.

Rob

[Rachel Lindley]

Rob, is the full name of "Emergency Kit" "Emergency Kit Poems for Strange Times"? I've seen that book in stores here in Canada. I've also seen the Penguin Book of English Verse. You must remember, a large number of Canadians are serious Anglophiles. We usually have access to a great number of English publications.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Rachel

[Patrice]

Originally posted by Gabriel:

*I have a fondness for the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry.

I second that. My favorite too.
I bought mine used at a univ. bookstore.

------------------



Patrice

[Monique]

Sorry to interupt, but here's some further info: the name of the book in question is "Emergency Kit: Poems for Strange Times" and yes, you're right, the book is available in Canada. The vendor is Canbook, the publisher is Faber & Faber and the ISBN is 0571172075. If your local (independent) book store doesn't carry the book, you should be able to order it in without any problem.

-Monique



[This message has been edited by Monique (edited 12-17-2000).]

[Adam]

Originally posted by Gabriel:

*I have a fondness for the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry.

Also like that one.

[Rachel Lindley]

Deal Alert on Norton Anthology:

I decided to go with the Norton to replace my Harvill Anthology, which is not as extensive. After doing an extensive search on the internet, I came upon an incredible deal -- or an accident on their part -- at a nationwide Canadian bookseller, where I purchased my copy. Usually a new copy of the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry runs at about $50-$55 US, or about $60-$75 Canadian. However, presently at Indigo.ca, they're selling the book for $35.50 Canadian. That's about $23-$25 US. If any newcomers or even old farts are interested in picking up a copy, you can purchase it online at http://www.indigo.ca/ and do a search for "Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry". At first I wasn't sure if it was the same version, since the site lists it as a "Teacher's Manual" or some such. However, it is indeed identical -- I checked the ISBN. They may end up catching their booboo soon, however, so pay attention to the price.

[This message has been edited by TheBroad (edited 01-09-2001).]