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rakg7's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know if this is really ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ but I was so pleasantly surprised that I actually liked this book because poetry is not really my thing. Any book of poetry that puts centuries old poetry next to a poem with a curse word is evidently my kind of poetry collection though.
siria's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely collection of poems that draws on medieval manuscripts and the poet's Appalachian birthplace to think about language, place, and authority. As a medievalist, I particularly enjoyed the pigment poems, each one drawing its inspiration from a pigment that you might find in a medieval manuscript, like "Lampblack" ("Black as a charred plum-stone, as a plume/ from a bone-fire, as a flume of ravens/ startled from a battle-tree—this lantern resin/ the monk culls from soot to quill the doom/ and glory of the Lord won’t fade"). The strongest of the lot however were probably those like "Ofermod" and "Fortunes of Men", which bring together the contemporary colloquial and the high-poetic of the Middle Ages to make something that really sings.
littlebookjockey's review against another edition
4.0
I had never before encountered any poetry about Appalachia. While I'm not from the area, I've visited there a lot and only live a couple hours away. I particularly like "Regionalism" because it brings up things that Southerners are identified with, even if we don't relate to them. The many religious poems throughout the book really hit home for me, as well. This is a beautiful collection, and even the foreword was lovely to read.
Read the review on my blog here.
Read the review on my blog here.
spacejamz's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. There's a lot to like here. I do find her poems reaching for (and usually attaining) cleverness, a trait I find detracts from my enjoyment of a poem. Many of the poems work on a few levels, which is always admirable.
Favorites:
Ashburnham
A skiff of snow
Kermes red
Flat as a flitter
Ofermod
Scriptorium
Favorites:
Ashburnham
A skiff of snow
Kermes red
Flat as a flitter
Ofermod
Scriptorium
toad_maiden's review against another edition
3.0
This is an unusual collection that weaves together some disparate topics. Range writes of medieval manuscripts and pigments, Christian theology and dogma, her southern "hillbilly" roots, and the idea of vernacular throughout history. I particularly appreciated her use of meter and poetic discussion of pigments, and I thought the theme of vernacular helped to tie together her widely ranging topics. However, I think it was still a little too scattered for my taste, and while at times her language and meter were vigorous and chilling, at others it felt stilted and slow. Overall, I thought this book worth a read, although it lacked that sought-after spark that burrows into your soul after reading great poetry.
saaramyrene's review against another edition
5.0
One of my all-time favorite books of poetry. My only regret is that Range didn't write it in time for me to read it when I was 14.
rlaferney's review against another edition
4.0
Melissa Range’s “Scriptorium” is one of the winners of the 2015 National Poetry Series. Being that April is National Poetry Month I decided I needed to read something by a new poet. The title of Range's little book of poems "Scriptorium", which thematically addresses the preservation of language, stories, and culture; and devotion, faith and God, caught my eye. Perhaps this is because, like Range, I too am fascinated by the written word, medieval texts, and theology.
Scriptorium is a curious work. Range jumps between her own Appalachian roots: its culture and dialect, and old English, ancient stories from Beowolf to Byrhtnoth, the Ealdorman of Essex who fought the Vikings in 991 A.D. to poems about monks making pigment to paint icons and altar pieces. Perhaps what ties all these poems together is that each poem is an exploration of language and how language travels and morphs throughout time. Her poems are beautiful (and occasionally full of playful fury) However, Scriptorium can be a jarring read at first. It's hard to see how the poems are threaded together. This is purposeful on part of the author....as really, each poem is about the use of language: practically, theologically, etc.
“Scriptorium” should be read by those who love the written word. It should also be read by those who wrestle with ideas, family, faith, and their own place in the cosmos. And if you're a fan of the medieval ages, check this out.
Favorite poems: Negative Theology and Navajo Code Talkers, WWII
Scriptorium is a curious work. Range jumps between her own Appalachian roots: its culture and dialect, and old English, ancient stories from Beowolf to Byrhtnoth, the Ealdorman of Essex who fought the Vikings in 991 A.D. to poems about monks making pigment to paint icons and altar pieces. Perhaps what ties all these poems together is that each poem is an exploration of language and how language travels and morphs throughout time. Her poems are beautiful (and occasionally full of playful fury) However, Scriptorium can be a jarring read at first. It's hard to see how the poems are threaded together. This is purposeful on part of the author....as really, each poem is about the use of language: practically, theologically, etc.
“Scriptorium” should be read by those who love the written word. It should also be read by those who wrestle with ideas, family, faith, and their own place in the cosmos. And if you're a fan of the medieval ages, check this out.
Favorite poems: Negative Theology and Navajo Code Talkers, WWII
meagankc21's review against another edition
4.0
There was such an excellent sense of place and environment in this collection of poems. The language and word choice was beautiful, and the focus on color and nature was particularly well done. It's an exquisite ode to religion and Southern culture. Though I didn't always understand the poems, because I don't have the specific cultural experiences to know what they were saying at all times, I still really appreciated the vivid and sensual imagery Range created. I recommend it as a read for anyone looking to get into more poetry.
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