Customer Reviews

Forgiveness Parade

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A master of the quirky metaphor and possessing the guile of a guilty child, McDaniels seems atuned to the zeitgeist of contemporanity in a way that few poets are able to evoke with out falling into sophomoric self-parody (such as Beau Sia and much of the other young NYC scene). But through the odd juxtipositions that McDaniels is able to blessedly, and wickedly, un-find, he creates tremendous psychological arguments in the smallest of lyrics. You may find yourself laughing outloud and then unavoidably realize there's some real darkness underneath this surface texture of humour. I call these poems "un"-poems-- that is they are un-unusual and un-graciously un-refined, like James Tate back when he still knew how to write. But better.

This book is highly charged with vivid imagery and kinetic energy. Mr. McDaniel writes genius poems of a significant caliber. I highly recommend this book!

The originality of Mc Daniel's imagination is matched only by the generosity of his humor and the breath of his empathy. Again and again this collection impresses upon us a giddy sense of joy, that alternates quickly with a wry take on pain. In his able hands, McDaniel shows us that the world is plastic, and belongs to all of us. His surrealism is so organic, he pulls it off so effortlessly, that we come to understand that the wonder of his poems is merely pointing us towards the greatness of our own untapped potential. Bravo.

The images have stayed in my mind long after the poems were read - the juxtaposition of ideas is wholly original and McDaniel has a sense of metaphor that cannot be beat -- highly recommended, check out his other books, too... Forgiveness Parade is my favorite.

Clearly blessed with a deep understanding of the human condition with a vein of humor that is ever-present that keep wrenching your gut, this book is a pleasure to read. Comical without giving reign to bathos, smart still not self-conscious, the honest voice of Jeff shines through.

Though this critique is supposed to be focused primarily on the book, I wish to stray and tell anyone out there that, if they have to chance to see Jeffrey in person, please go. He is a delight and a sensation.

peace.

i look forward to every poem that comes from mcdaniel, and this volume of beauty was long-awaited and much needed in my life. hoorah for the king (the badger, i mean).

McDaniel is maturing as a poet. In this collection he is revealing without lapsing into self absorption. The work is spare, thoroughly accessible, I never scratched my head trying to find the root of some obscure metaphor. He lays himself open in plain, effective language and, as usual, nails his subjects. Buy it, read it, hate him for writing so damn well.

Jeffrey McDaniels paints incredible pictures inside my brain as I read through his poetry. "The Forgiveness Parade" is one book that I always keep by my side and can read over and over again. I'll be picking up his newest as soon as I have money!

In this second book for Manic D, McDaniels plumbs the depth of disfunctional families in a throughly entertaining yet emotionally driven way. He delivers some awesome punchlines, too! One of the best poets in America.

Never before have I read a book that was both so entertaining and artistically inspiring as this one. McDaniel is a major reason that poetry is back on the map... a pleasure to read!