Free Stallion: Poems [Hardcover]

Amber Tamblyn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 23, 2005

Although Amber Tamblyn is best known as the star of the smash hit Joan of Arcadia, she is a serious poet, mentored by Jack Hirshman, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and other San Francisco Beat poets. She has self-published two chapbooks, and her poems have appeared in books published by City Lights. Here is her first collection of poems specifically for teens. The poems relate to teen issues such as love and relationships, and all are influenced by Amber's feminist sensibility. An introduction by Jack Hirshman puts her poetry in a literary context, and her personal introduction gives insight into her poems and helps readers access them. Amber's celebrity will help bring the value of poetry to a new, wider audience.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up–Tamblyn is an emerging writer with passion and commitment. Free Stallion is a compilation of poetry that amounts to a portrait of the artist as a teenager, from the very early years through post adolescence. Many of the selections are appropriately self-absorbed but move beyond journalistic catharsis to real insight and stunning language for one so young. In Dig, Tamblyn wants to distance herself with language that examines and classifies: Hollywood's got a face./Trophy wives with stitched-up sideburns/look like 3rd degree burn victims. Gutsy, she speaks frankly of sexuality. In Vibration she explores the limits of enjambment: Drop your weapons–/pick up my hip attachment./Screw it,/on./I'm suing for a-sexual harassment. In Moths she writes with the same desire to push language a little further off-kilter: …I am a derelict without furniture or life signs,/painting your posture from distance that/can fit inside the palm of your land. And she has economical humor: I want to sneak out/in the night,/do stupid things with nature/in the dark,/regret them/in the light. Public libraries will want this book for the permission the writing gives to use language in the expression of strong emotion, and as a unique record of one artist's early promise of crafting an art for life or vice versa.–Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA
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Review

"A fine fruitful gestation of throbbingly nascent sexuality awakened in young new language."

-- Lawrence Ferlinghetti

"Here's a poet with the courage and liveliness to speak for her generation -- and for mine. She is not afraid of politics or anti-politics of either the government or of her body, including the twists of emotional beauty and deep rage. To paraphrase Emerson, these poems are as old as the rock and as new as the foam."

-- Michael McClure

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (August 23, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416902597
• ISBN-13: 978-1416902591
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,066,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Young Adult?, August 23, 2005

By 

heather (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Free Stallion: Poems (Hardcover)

First of all I want to comment on the fact that this is marketed as a young adult book, which I think is not a good move. I don't consider this very moving, wonderfully written book of poetry by the great Amber Tamblyn to be anything near that audience, although I believe that some young adults would also be as touched as I was by this great book of poetry. I think it should be targeted towards an older audience, but that's just my opinion.

I must admit that this is the first book of poetry that I have ever owned. And I was very excited to finally get it in the mail this morning along with one of Amber's films "Rebellious" which I will watch immediately after writing this review. I bought this because Amber Tamblyn is my favorite actress, and I wasn't really knowing what to expect.

But this is one of the best books, period, that I have ever read. I read it all in one sitting and I loved the range of emotions that each poem had. This is a wonderful book that I will be rereading many, many times.

My favorite poem would have to be "Numbers" since a tear was rolling down my face by the time I was done reading it. It's about violence against women, and it is very powerfully written. I would have bought the book just for this poem itself, I've reread this one over and over again.

Another poem that was one of my favorites was "Paper Tiger" which was a very literate piece about the tragedy of war.

"A Valid Question Ensues Unhitched" is a favorite of mine because it speaks out against bulimia. The last line is my favorite: "Don't know what else to tell you-I love pizza." I loved it!

And of course "Free Stallion" was a great poem about the loss of one's innocence.

"Moths" is another one that I loved about forbidden relationships and how its usually best to just stay friends.

"When is another highlight as it talks about what she will do once her mother is no longer alive. Its also a very sad poem.

"Pipe Dreams" is about not giving in to commercial Hollywood. Just one more reason for me to admire Amber.

Also I have to comment on the great picture on the cover, which, according to the book jacket was taken by the great Russ Tamblyn! Also on the back of the book jacket there are book reviews by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Michael McClure, Wanda Coleman and Ann Brashares! I especially loved to see Ann's review, since I enjoyed reading The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books, and I thoroughly enjoyed the movie as well.

So please, go out and buy this book. You won't regret it...

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Tired of the Over-acclaim, though not wholly unimpressed..., April 27, 2007

By 

Rose (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Free Stallion: Poems (Hardcover)

Tamblyn's collection of poems is a more skilled effort than many of the collections I've seen published by people already in the public eye. Her effort is apparently earnest, but, as compared to many poets (even in her age group) currently seeking publication, this first volume does not live up to the standards most publishing companies set for no names. At public readings in Los Angeles and Orange County, one notices that southern California's poetry 'scene' often tends to be a touch cinematic. Several locally-esteemed writers I've seen present their poetry illustrate that they've become competent in poetic craft with an emphasis on entertainment--their writing calls for performance rather than reading. I enjoy these performances and find depth within them, but even small-scale acclaim tends to stunt growth. Once one has been schooled in poetry (however said schooling comes to pass) there is a period in which he/she writes poems of varying quality and is clearly on the road to finding a true comfortability within a unique voice. Early publication on a national my-book-is-available-at-Borders-and-Amazon scale seems to set writers--Amber Tamblyn among them--into a style that doesn't encourage further development. The young writers garnering an audience for their words and setting examples for today's adolescents should be the best young writers out there and Tamblyn, though substantial, just isn't there yet. I hope she finds cohesive critics who nurture her voice and look forward to future works.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amber Tamblyn's 'Free Stallion' streaks ahead of its competition without restraints with winning conviction and admirable charm, February 5, 2006

By 

John Dagley "[e-mail]" (Melbourne Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Free Stallion: Poems (Hardcover)

A poetry book is rare when it comes to celebrities. Very few to my knowledge have ventured out and dared to have a secondary interest to their number one talent. In Amber Tamblyn however, you'll find something even more of a rarity. You'll quickly discover that this book, while short in pages, will not sell anyone short in spirit or impact - fan or otherwise. This book does not exist simply to turn a quick buck, like so many others might. Instead it is streaks ahead of its competition with it's admirable abandon and passion only Amber Tamblyn can impart beautifully to the reader with such vigor, desire, humour, and heartbreak. So when Amber embarks on this journey you'll have no other choice but to be swept up into it.

I enjoy writing poems as well mostly of a movie orientated fashion. It is a real joy to welcome Amber into this form of writing. To find a unique artist like Amber Tamblyn, who really has a tremendous vision and rare understanding and appreciation of who she is, and who she will become, is totally refreshing to me and special. This poety is indelible and is unequeled like my ever increasing love for her and everything she does.

Before reading Amber Tamblyn's incredible works of poetry enclosed in 'Free Stallion', I also read singer/songwriter Jewel Kilcher's 'A Night Without Armour' poem book. I admore the way Jewel uses her fine poetry skills in songs. The wonderful thing about poetry is there is nothing quite like it. It would be wrong of me to compare these two books so I appreciate them equally. I feel very blessed to have read this collection of poems. It is clear both Jewel and Amber have something very beautiful to share with the world, so the poetic power they pocess should never be taken lightly. It is a real gift. Every poem is worth the paper it is written on, and everone's voice should have a chance to be heard. I do hope you enjoy the poems within where Amber puts people at the centre of her work, and her mind is free to wonder without restraints.