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ranforingus's review against another edition
3.0
This is a very dark book of 'poem'?
I know I need to read more poetry to learn to appreciate it, but to me this sounded like a very long-winded speech of a man who's philosophical as sh**, while also being high as balls...
I can't say I fully understood this book, but there's a haunting feeling after reading this that invited deeper thought somehow.
The art was dark, beautifully done and managed to tell the story of the poem very well, but it represented so much loneliness in a world that will never try to fix the problems it causes... and damn, I'm feeling dark and philosophical now
I know I need to read more poetry to learn to appreciate it, but to me this sounded like a very long-winded speech of a man who's philosophical as sh**, while also being high as balls...
I can't say I fully understood this book, but there's a haunting feeling after reading this that invited deeper thought somehow.
The art was dark, beautifully done and managed to tell the story of the poem very well, but it represented so much loneliness in a world that will never try to fix the problems it causes... and damn, I'm feeling dark and philosophical now
midici's review against another edition
3.0
Confession - this is not actually the version of the poem I read. I read an online version which I found here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49303/howl
This poem - THIS POEM - you ever read something and feel like you need to be smarter/more informed to actually understand what is happening? There is SO MUCH happening here; Howl is the perfect name for this, it feels like a scream, like a chorus of people howling and yelling and screaming into a void that's swallowing them whole.
I went looking it up on google for some more information which is when I found out this was written in 1956 which was another shock because it doesn't read like something older, or out of touch. It seems relevant right now. Also, because it was written in 1956 it was banned everywhere for several reasons.
Consider it starts like this: I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked,/ dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix then just keeps going nonstop, every phrase packing a punch. This first sections deals with people; people who are struggling, who are addicted, who are living in poverty and trauma. It ends with this line: with the absolute heart of the poem of life butchered out of their own bodies good to eat a thousand years.
Part II is about Moloch, which the internet tells me is a biblical reference. I'll just quote the one line from this section: Moloch whose love is endless oil and stone! Moloch whose soul is electricity and banks! Moloch whose poverty is the specter of genius! Moloch whose fate is a cloud of sexless hydrogen! Moloch whose name is the Mind! Can you see why I thought this might have been written slightly more recently?
Part III is about Carl Solomon, which is one of a number of names I had to look up. He was a writer famous for his work about the use of shock treatment on people who were mentally ill.
I’m with you in Rockland
where you bang on the catatonic piano the soul is innocent and immortal it should never die ungodly in an armed madhouse
I’m with you in Rockland
where fifty more shocks will never return your soul to its body again from its pilgrimage to a cross in the void
So if you want to read this be prepared to spend some time researching aspects of it in depth if you simply have to know - like me - or just take it in and make of it what you will.
This poem - THIS POEM - you ever read something and feel like you need to be smarter/more informed to actually understand what is happening? There is SO MUCH happening here; Howl is the perfect name for this, it feels like a scream, like a chorus of people howling and yelling and screaming into a void that's swallowing them whole.
I went looking it up on google for some more information which is when I found out this was written in 1956 which was another shock because it doesn't read like something older, or out of touch. It seems relevant right now. Also, because it was written in 1956 it was banned everywhere for several reasons.
Consider it starts like this: I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked,/ dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix then just keeps going nonstop, every phrase packing a punch. This first sections deals with people; people who are struggling, who are addicted, who are living in poverty and trauma. It ends with this line: with the absolute heart of the poem of life butchered out of their own bodies good to eat a thousand years.
Part II is about Moloch, which the internet tells me is a biblical reference. I'll just quote the one line from this section: Moloch whose love is endless oil and stone! Moloch whose soul is electricity and banks! Moloch whose poverty is the specter of genius! Moloch whose fate is a cloud of sexless hydrogen! Moloch whose name is the Mind! Can you see why I thought this might have been written slightly more recently?
Part III is about Carl Solomon, which is one of a number of names I had to look up. He was a writer famous for his work about the use of shock treatment on people who were mentally ill.
I’m with you in Rockland
where you bang on the catatonic piano the soul is innocent and immortal it should never die ungodly in an armed madhouse
I’m with you in Rockland
where fifty more shocks will never return your soul to its body again from its pilgrimage to a cross in the void
So if you want to read this be prepared to spend some time researching aspects of it in depth if you simply have to know - like me - or just take it in and make of it what you will.
wintrovia's review against another edition
4.0
Bonkers. I loved this but I couldn't honestly say I understood it. There is some beautiful writing in it and other parts that feel like the ramblings of a mad man. The visualisations helped with with my comprehension of the story and the layout of the text made it more digestible so I would recommend this book as a great way to read this poem. I might be wrong but I think the writing probably needed more thought to be given to it than I was really willing to invest. I may come back and properly study the poem in a few years time.
gabrielle_erin's review against another edition
2.0
This was potentially the weirdest and most fragmented poem I have ever read in my life. In its beginning, it seems reflective of Eliot's 'The Wasteland' but quickly spirals into what seems to be a stream of consciousness exploring the deeply disturbing perspectives of Ginsberg. I understand why the original text is both so loved, and so controversial. There are moments of complete literary genius, sandiwched between the ramblings of an illiterate madman. I don't think I liked it, but I do respect it.
buttermellow's review against another edition
challenging
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Medical trauma, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug abuse, Abandonment, Addiction, and Mental illness
ellejaoy's review against another edition
5.0
I love Howl and Drookers work so I have absolutely no issues with any page in this graphic novel. Ginsberg has a way of writing which makes the words jump off the page and it is insanely rhythmic. The artwork matched the mood perfectly and while I read it quickly, I have returned time and time again to this wonderful graphic novel.
migimon2002's review against another edition
3.0
Standout quote from Footnote to Howl : "Holy the supernatural extra brilliant intelligent kindness of the soul!" ~ Berkeley, 1955
This once controversial text has become one of the most widely read poems of the 20th century. I've always been intrigued by the Beat movement & San Fran artsy scene of the 1950's, although I admit I haven't much experience with interpreting the texts created at the time. I'm pretty sure if I was able to study Howl, and discuss/analyze it on a deeper level, my rating would increase. I will definitely be doing some further research.
However, the overall sense of oppressive social mores and societal expectations, on the more artistic free-spirit, was not lost on me. When it comes to art, writing, and personal expression a little "rebellion" - which often pushes the boundaries of censorship - is sometimes just what the world needs.
Eric Drooker's illustrations for this graphic novel version are a perfect match for the material, especially considering he became known for plastering provocative posters on the streets (seems like a pretty Beatnik, Ginsberg-Ian thing to do)!!
This once controversial text has become one of the most widely read poems of the 20th century. I've always been intrigued by the Beat movement & San Fran artsy scene of the 1950's, although I admit I haven't much experience with interpreting the texts created at the time. I'm pretty sure if I was able to study Howl, and discuss/analyze it on a deeper level, my rating would increase. I will definitely be doing some further research.
However, the overall sense of oppressive social mores and societal expectations, on the more artistic free-spirit, was not lost on me. When it comes to art, writing, and personal expression a little "rebellion" - which often pushes the boundaries of censorship - is sometimes just what the world needs.
Eric Drooker's illustrations for this graphic novel version are a perfect match for the material, especially considering he became known for plastering provocative posters on the streets (seems like a pretty Beatnik, Ginsberg-Ian thing to do)!!
quicksilvermoon's review against another edition
4.0
Had a brilliant day today - nothing special, just good weather, minimal pain and the best company. We went flâneuring through Banani and picked up a bunch of new books, including this one. The frenetic pace of Ginsberg’s poetry, coupled with Eric Drooker’s phantasmagoric art made this a trippy read. Despite so many of the references being very American, reading this in chaotic Dhaka, discussing crazy ideas with my good friend Teddy who’s miles away but has the exact same edition (because it’s never safe to talk about ‘real’ things), I totally felt that ‘I’m with you in Rockland’ landing.
bkimmey's review against another edition
2.0
This book is not the medium. The graphics and typography ruined the experience of reading the poem. The pictures didn't add much to the poem, and I found myself skimming over them mostly. The typography, meant to recreate Ginsberg's typewriter, bordered on the illegible.
Howl should be read aloud (preferably in a dusky basement illuminated by candlelight).
Howl should be read aloud (preferably in a dusky basement illuminated by candlelight).
ellejayz's review against another edition
5.0
I love Howl and Drookers work so I have absolutely no issues with any page in this graphic novel. Ginsberg has a way of writing which makes the words jump off the page and it is insanely rhythmic. The artwork matched the mood perfectly and while I read it quickly, I have returned time and time again to this wonderful graphic novel.