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_m_a_r_a's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
3.75
Very fragmented poetry. I had to keep reminding myself to slow down. It’s best read in small doses 1 or 2 poems at a time.
booksarentbinary's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Eileen Myles, Poet.
sjparker98's review
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
Some absolutely wonderful poems in the collection. Also a few I was less keen on, for good measure.
kdawn999's review against another edition
2.0
This was my first time reading Myles’ work. The most striking feature of the collection is the sparseness and length of the lines, which are only 1-3 words long in most of the poems. In fact, I had a hard time conceiving of them as lines and started thinking of lines stretching vertically on the pages. Unfortunately, I don’t think all the words hold up under such strict pressure of line break, and Myles has to compromise a few times with abbreviations of words or let a few lines slip with only prepositions. The subjects of the poems are materials of the everyday, and these can read well as coffee poems—bits of philosophies and simple observations. It’s hard to hold onto memories of specific poems because there are so many similarities between them in subject and form. You’ll find some of these were published in very impressive mags like Poetry and The New Yorker, but, honestly, these are the kinds of poems that, when I see them the in Poetry and the New Yorker, I say “Really?”
aphonusbalonus's review against another edition
3.0
I am usually someone who prefers lush, flowery prose, dancing around the point— Myles’ is blunt and right to the point. When I read the first poem in this collection I was filled with the dread of ‘oh no, I don’t like this.’ But I kept reading, and slowly the magic of Myles’ writing was unveiled for me.
The writing style is unique and perfectly suited to the abstract tapestries Myles is building, showing an elegant and deep understanding of the craft. As soon as I read Friday Night, I knew this poetry collection would be a standout for me.
The writing style is unique and perfectly suited to the abstract tapestries Myles is building, showing an elegant and deep understanding of the craft. As soon as I read Friday Night, I knew this poetry collection would be a standout for me.
kierli's review against another edition
Very strict limited style, didn't enjoy it.
cowboytreen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
4.5
jdscott50's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Eileen Myles has been writing poetry since 1991. They have been a LAMBDA Literary Award Winner, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and professor emeritus of writing and literature at the University of California San Diego. Ther new book of poetry, A working Life, focuses on the beauty of every day living and the importance of caring for another all told in short punchy prose.
My favorite poem was Friday Night. THe small words that give us big emotions to love, happiness, and being content. Sometimes, the short stanzas were difficult to read but worth it in many places.
My favorite poem was Friday Night. THe small words that give us big emotions to love, happiness, and being content. Sometimes, the short stanzas were difficult to read but worth it in many places.