Description
Book SynopsisTrenchant prose writings on poetry, poets, and cultural matters by one of the most important essayists of his generation. Edited with an Introduction by Robert Phillips. A lively and slashing critic...reading him one feels windows opening, clouds passing, sunlight, and a fresh breeze entering the room. —Joseph Epstein
Trade ReviewA lively and slashing critic...reading him one feels windows opening, clouds passing, sunlight, and a fresh breeze entering the room. -- Joseph Epstein
His essays—the most characteristic ones can be found in [this] useful new volume... * New Republic *
Karl Shapiro's provocative views of American poetry and culture were well ahead of their time, and decades on his barbs have not lost their sting.... Unlike most literary and social criticism, Shapiro's candid commentaries have aged remarkably well, and continue to instruct and delight. It is very good indeed, in this age of largely unreadable esoteric theorizing and mediocre reviewing, to have these pungent, thought-provoking essays available again. -- Joseph Parisi, former editor of
Poetry
Recommended for larger academic collections, especially those that do not own the original collections. * Library Journal *
Shapiro's words offer a provacative assessment of writers now enshrined in the university canon. Shapiro's well-cut prose sparkles on the page and his vigorous opinions make these literary essays exceptionally entertaining. * Publishers Weekly *
A most welcomed tribute. * The Dallas Morning News *
The essays are always readable, full of funny asides, and can even make prosody interesting. * Times Literary Supplement *
