Crow: From the Life and Songs of the Crow [Paperback]

Ted Hughes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1971

One of a series of titles first published by Faber between 1930 and 1990, and in a style and format planned with a view to the appearance of the volumes on the bookshelf. This was the Poet Laureate's fourth book of poems for adults, and represented a significant moment in his writing career.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Apple Tragedy
The Battle Of Osfrontalis
A Bedtime Story
The Black Beast
A Childish Prank
Conjuring In Heaven
The Contender
Criminal Ballad
Crow Alights
Crow And Mama
Crow And Stone
Crow And The Birds
Crow And The Sea
Crow Blacker Than Ever
Crow Communes
Crow Frowns
Crow Goes Hunting
Crow Hears Fate Knock On The Door
Crow Improvises
Crow On The Beach
Crow Paints Himself Into A Chinese Mural
Crow Sickened
Crow Tries The Media
Crow Tyrannosaurus
Crow's Account Of St. George
Crow's Account Of The Battle
Crow's Battle Fury
Crow's Elephant Totem Song
Crow's Fall
Crow's First Lesson
Crow's Last Stand
Crow's Nerve Fails
Crow's Playmates
Crow's Song Of Himself
Crow's Theology
Crow's Undersong
Crow's Vanity
Crowego
Dawn's Rose
A Disaster
The Door
Examination At The Womb-door
Fragment Of An Ancient Tablet
Glimpse
A Grin
A Horrible Religious Error
In Laughter
A Kill
King Of Carrion
Lineage
Littleblood
The Lovepet
Lovesong
Magical Dangers
Notes For A Little Play
Oedipus Crow
Owl's Song
Revenge Fable
Robin Song
The Smile
Snake Hymn
Song For A Phallus
That Moment
Truth Kills Everybody
Two Eskimo Songs: 1: Fleeing From Eternity
Two Eskimo Songs: 2: How Water Began To Play
Two Legends: 1
Two Legends: 2
-- Table of Poems from Poem Finder®

Product Details

• Paperback: 93 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (June 1971)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060909056
• ISBN-13: 978-0060909055
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,357,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous poetry focused on the remarkable title character, July 2, 2003

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crow: From the Life and Songs of the Crow (Hardcover)

"Crow: From the Life and Songs of the Crow" is a collection of poems by Ted Hughes. The copyright page notes that the book was first published in 1972. This is a remarkable book that often reads like some apocryphal sacred text. The book is dominated by its title character, who is the focus of a significant number of the poems. Crow is a multifaceted character with mythic heft: he is a warrior, theologian, trickster, and partner with God in creation. He is both heroic and ridiculous, foolish and wise. He's a compelling and delightful character who ultimately transcends all cultures and historical eras.

The collection as a whole is whimsical, witty, apocalyptic, bold, revelatory, irreverent, visceral, horrific, and playful. At times, Hughes' poetic marriage of the earthy and the mystical reminded me of Walt Whitman. The book also calls to mind traditional Native American animal stories.

Many of the poems in "Crow" touch on the magic and power of words. The natural world is another key recurring motif. Hughes delivers some striking images and some interesting arrangements of words on the page--many poems really engage the eye. Many poems read like religious litanies. Overall, an impressive and enjoyable poetic achievement.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the " pretty vacant" of Poetry!, February 15, 2000

By 

robin prime (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crow: From the life and songs of the crow (Hardcover)

I first read this in the late 70's. The harshness, the brutality of it all was a punch in the stomach. An overturning of how i imagined poetry to be. Poetry because of this could belong to me too. It was a similar sensation to the crashing, nihilistic verve of early punk records. It will always remind me that poetry can be as powerful as a 3 minute, 3 chord record, and just as accessible. It did not have any of the cultural baggage of TS Eliot's Wasteland,for example, Which to a provincial boy stuck in a Comprehensive School, belonged to a diferent, musty world .

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glad I finally read these poems after 30 years, August 19, 2006

By 

T. Graue "librarian wannabe" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Crow (Faber Library) (Hardcover)

As an English major in 1973, one of my professors recommended this book of poetry. None of our textbooks contained any of Ted Hughes' work but I jotted his name and this title in the margin of one of my books. After graduating, I spent very little time reading or thinking about poetry. But I recently revived my interest in poetry, specifically after reading several biographies of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes. I pulled out my old poetry textbooks, found this note and immediately ordered Crow to read it for myself.
What an experience. The work is fantastic - the images, the rhythm, the concept. Amazing, entertaining, and relevant.
I highly recommend this book.