Customer Reviews

The Essential Hardy (Essential Poets (Paperback Ecco)) (Vol 21)

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There is a small volume of Hardy verse collected by Russian/American poet (and, Nobel laureate), Joseph Brodsky. It is part of a series published by Ecco press -- "The Essential Poets." "The Essential Hardy," the last in the series, is a small anthology of about 100 poems. The really interesting thing about this edition is an extensive introduction (66 pages), in which the poet Brodsky analyzes in considerable depth, five of Hardy's poems. His discussion is, I think, quite brilliant and provocative. He views Hardy as a "poet's poet," and one that will, after the millennium, win a huge following. What I enjoyed the most was his gleanings of Hardy's craft -- matters of meter, imagery, and tone that might, I think, elude traditional scholars but appeal to professional poets. From subtle pictorialism in "Convergence of the Twain," to social commentary in "In the Moonlight," I found myself sensitized to Hardy's poetry in new, refreshing ways. His exuberance and insight are noteworthy, especially coming from a non-native-English writer. Brodsky's prose is lively and compelling throughout.

Sadly, though, this volume was written a year before Brodsky's untimely death. One would have wanted more from him.

Just the commentary by Nobelist Brodsky (died 1997,God rest his untimely soul) justifies reading this book multiple times. His insight on the poet Hardy as well as monumental poems like
'Darkling Thrush' and 'Convergence of the Twain' are illuminating,
penetrating and vividly insightful. Brodsky's prose itself at times soars into poetry in motion and emotion as his genuine delight in Hardy's craftsmanship constantly bubbles to the surface of his introductory essay.

It's clear Brodsky and his hero Hardy have much in common: earthy;master noticers;poets of the suffering human condition;
a keen appreciation of what most eyes miss combined with a gift
of expressing that vision in ways that stick in mind and heart
for the duration;an understanding of 'cunning irregularity' in their mostly formal prosody, that is, not being too sing-songy or
doggerelish in rhyme/rhythm of their lines, but utilizing built-in 'speed bumps' to vary the tone and texture of their poems.

A tour de force that belongs on every poetry-lover's shelf next to their volumes of Hardy,Frost,Yeats,Housman,Masefield,Auden,
C.S.Lewis,Betjeman,Wilbur,Hecht and younger poets Timothy Steele,Dana Gioia,A.E.Stallings. Should be must-reading material
for English Lit. courses worldwide.