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daizie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Truly transformative to read in its entirety for the first time. I enjoyed Whitman's version of Transcendentalism (if one could even call it that) a lot more than his predecessors - it felt more realistic and honest.
andotherworlds's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 // first foray into whitman and slightly disappointed?! while i enjoyed certain lines and wording at times, as a whole, i didn’t gel that well with his style. it felt a tad drawn out and excessive at times.
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
4.0
Walt Whitman wrote beautiful, earthy, amazing poetry. Read it!
seashelfs's review against another edition
3.0
(3)
"Have you ever loved the body of a woman?
Have you ever loved the body of a man?
Do you not see that these are exactly the same to all in all nations and times all over the earth?"
I’m not the biggest fan of poetry so I decided to challenge myself by reading one. I was halfway through this book when I realized I have no idea what I have just read. So I went back from the start; annotating it, taking notes, trying to understand its meaning, and taking my sweet time. It was a struggle but I greatly enjoyed the struggle. It reminds me of my love of learning. I just don’t like studying or taking tests.
It is a celebration of humanity. Of nature. Of everything really. You can really tell the narrator’s love for the world and everything in it. I loved the overarching message of equality in the poems. Underneath it all, we are all the same. No matter who you are or what your job is, you matter. You are no more or less, we are all the same.
"Have you ever loved the body of a woman?
Have you ever loved the body of a man?
Do you not see that these are exactly the same to all in all nations and times all over the earth?"
I’m not the biggest fan of poetry so I decided to challenge myself by reading one. I was halfway through this book when I realized I have no idea what I have just read. So I went back from the start; annotating it, taking notes, trying to understand its meaning, and taking my sweet time. It was a struggle but I greatly enjoyed the struggle. It reminds me of my love of learning. I just don’t like studying or taking tests.
It is a celebration of humanity. Of nature. Of everything really. You can really tell the narrator’s love for the world and everything in it. I loved the overarching message of equality in the poems. Underneath it all, we are all the same. No matter who you are or what your job is, you matter. You are no more or less, we are all the same.
scruffie's review against another edition
DNF. I tried really hard but, god, I just can't stand Whitman's "(white) america is amazing" attitude. I can see how some aspects of his views can be considered progressive for his time, but I can't deal with the blatant parriotism or Whitman's overt confidence.
From the poems I read I liked only one (when I heard the learn'd astronomer.) but I'm not willing to read over 450 more pages looking for the next good 8 lines.
From the poems I read I liked only one (when I heard the learn'd astronomer.) but I'm not willing to read over 450 more pages looking for the next good 8 lines.
naranya's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
5.0
Anyone and everyone should read the Song of Myself from this collection. Amazing and transformative experience. Poetry doesn't get any better than that. It only rarely equals it.
mxunsmiley's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this collection 2 years ago, funnily enough, around this time. I'm not sure why I've had a change of heart regarding it but I did truly enjoy it the 2nd time. If it weren't for his almost obnoxious patriotism, I would have given this 5 stars, but alas. I think he had the right idea about many of the topics he addresses.
ahmed_suliman's review against another edition
3.0
I liked some poems dealing with love, self-love, nature, and freedom .. but I just closed the book at the songs of America, there's too much lies in them and forgery .. the grass of America you that he's talking about is bloodied from the massacres that had been executed against the indigenous.