Customer Reviews

The Best American Poetry 2007: Series Editor David Lehman

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Guest editor Heather McHugh is not above having a little fun in 2007 volume of "The Best American Poetry." A spirit of linguistic play dominates many of the selections McHugh has chosen. There are a number of works by relatively unknown poets, and it's not surprising that these tend toward the experimental. Many of them also tend toward the playful as well. Even a stalwart like Billy Collins is seen at his most playful and daring.

The volume has had its critics, and that's to be expected. But while academics and other writers may argue over the merits of individual poems and McHugh's overall approach, the anthology remains effective both as a work unto itself (it actually flows) and as an introduction for general readers to individual poets and the genre as a whole. The "Contributors' Notes and Comments" section is extensive and gives readers genuine insight into the creative process behind each poem.