Customer Reviews

Beyond Life Sentences (Contemporary Philippine poetry)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The only thing better than reading this book is hearing Ms. Tabios read her work herself.When I first read the book I was very impressed with her use and command of language, as well as the emotions the poems expressed.. Listening to her reading her own work brought the poems to the next level of understanding: one that was even more ephemeral and poignant.. Buy this book and experience her work yourself.

From "New York Story" by Ruel S. De Vera:

"'Beyond Life Sentences' (is) a cerebral, edgy set of poems that display ... cutting edge voice" of Eileen Tabios.

It is always striking to witness the birth of a poet; but with Eileen Tabios, there is this haunting sense, that although she has only taken poetry seriously for the past few years, she has always been a poet: her voice possesses an absolute command of the seasoned, her diction an intersection of the emotional falling and rising, and her language an echo of precision and unpredictability. Much can be said for someone who is born a poet--I am glad that Eileen Tabios has found herself. Here is a poet to be deciphered for years to come. -- Bino A. Realuyo

Ms. Tabios has a wonderful use of language and imagery. She expresses deep emotion in the most surprising ways. The range of expression poetic vision and ideas is truly astonishing. Anyone interested in contemporary poetry should buy this book!

I read this book based on the reviews I found on the net. Unfortunately, I could not connect either emotionally or intellectually with her work. I felt her poems were overwrought and "clunky." Sorry to disagree with most of the above reviews. I favor poets along the lines of Li-Young Lee, Sherman Alexie, Gary Sato, and Lucille Clifton. Emotionally packed, complex, and layered; these are the qualities that I want in poems.

PREMIUM CHAMPAGNE: My initial surprise and delight at first encountering Eileen Tabios'poetry (and fiction) have turned into high admiration as I continue to read more of her recent work. Her achievements are remarkable, revealing innate gifts and well-sharpened skills. Among other advantages, Ms. Tabios' poems exhibit two qualities which are not often pared in the work of writers of her generation -- an assured, clearly pitched poetic diction which serves as a compelling vehicle for a mature vision. Her voice stands alone in its effervescent illuminations. --Luis Cabalquinto

In Ms. Tabios first collected work she demonstrates a sure command of poetic diction and imagery. There is also tremendous music to be found as the words wash over you. It is extraordinary to find such command of language and poetry in a first book.For anyone interested in poetry this is a MUST READ!

Eileen Tabios has climbed the parnassian heights with this well-wrought volume of poetry. She brings to us mere mortals not only fire but poetic visions unseen since the days of Tennyson and Browning. Buy this book and be blessed!

Eileen Tabios' poetry will not meet everyone's taste (though isn't that true of many poems--especially those pushing the investigative and experimental approach?). There is a useful interview (by Purvi Shah) and essay (by Leny Strobel) on Eileen Tabios' poetry featured in Issue No. 2 of the wonderful online Poetry/Poetics journal entitled README.

These two works, in particular Leny Strobel's essay, is recommended to anyone interested in Eileen Tabios' poetry.

This book by Eileen Tabios does not reach the level of probity and technical awareness she is touted for. I was deeply dissapointed at the obscure narratives and fascile imagery of the poems in Boyond Life Sentences.