The Essential Etheridge Knight (Pitt Poetry Series) [Paperback]

Etheridge Knight (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book presents about a dozen new poems by a foremost American poet in the black oral tradition. The bulk of these poems appeared in Born of a Woman ( LJ 6/15/80), a superior volume with many more poems and a sensitive preface that illustrates the full range of Knight's stunning ability with the vernacular. Knight can move from pathos and a near-tragic vision of the destructiveness of imprisonment and prejudice to tenderness and a lusty, incisive wit. His new poems have less substance and are fewer than one would expect from someone with his talent, but the work as a whole bears testimony anew to his authentic "blues" voice, deep feeling, and concern for communication between the races.Frank Allen, Assoc. Dean, Continuing Education, Allentown Coll., Center Valley, Pa. Tate, James. Reckoner.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

“A foremost American poet in the black oral tradition, can move from pathos and a near-tragic vision of the destructiveness of imprisonment to tenderness and a lusty, incisive wit. . . . the work as a whole bears testimony anew to his authentic ‘blues’ voice, deep feeling, and concern for communication between the races.”
--Library Journal

“Wonderful in its ability to combine love and anger, irony and sweetness. Knight is a street-smart poet with an ear for the Black American idiom and experience, and his poems reflect a life lived largely at the cutting edge edge of that experience: poverty, racism, prison, drug addiction, and rehabilitation. Whether in the form of incantatory blues, narrative poems, or his distinctly individual urban haiku, Knight’s is a compelling voice.”
--Seattle Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press; 1 edition (December 5, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822953781
• ISBN-13: 978-0822953784
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #495,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful African-Americana, December 7, 1999

By 

Jean-Paul (Rochester, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Essential Etheridge Knight (Pitt Poetry) (Hardcover)

A haunting collection of poems by the late poet laureate of prison poetry. While most poems conjure up images which capture the plight of the african-amercian male as he struggles with his own sense of purpose and conflicting images and desires, the poems will resonate with all men regardless of their heritage. A beautifull collection from an American original.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a perfect influence...., July 3, 2000

By 

Tajh A Eldridge - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Essential Etheridge Knight (Pitt Poetry) (Hardcover)

This man, along with many others, ignited my love for verse and truly showed the humbleness and humility of man. He was born a boy in Mississippi, then became a man of addictions, and then later was raised as a college graduate and award winning author. Poetry can and will be rehabilitating, if we let it.

Rest in Peace Brother Etheridge

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Punch to the Stomach, December 20, 2005

By 

James Mckeon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential Etheridge Knight (Pitt Poetry Series) (Paperback)

Was driven to read it cover to cover like a great novel. Many different voices eminating from the vast mind and heart of Mr. Knight. From Hard Rock to Ibu, the songs in this book should be heard by everyone.