Customer Reviews

The Ghost Soldiers: Poems

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

 

 

It's true that you won't find complex or obtuse poetry in this book as you find in so many other collections, but one thing you will discover that you won't find in those other collections is an enjoyable read. Poetry that's entertaining, now that's a revolutionary concept.

Those who turn their noses to Tate's latest work (all who seem to be fans of his earlier work) tend to read poetry collections that read like books of crossword puzzles. It's the riddle, the exclusivity of the poem that they're after. It's about proving how smart one is, forget communication or any real human emotion.

If you read poetry for this purpose then don't buy this book, but if you want to read poetry that will make you want to read more poetry then I highly suggest this book.

Chopped-up prose. Read his delicious 2002 collection of stories Dreams of a Robot Dancing Bee, kindly reissued by Wave Books in 2008, instead.

May 7, 2008
It's a bit sad that this book has been out so long and I am the first to review it. For more than twenty years I have been reading Mr. Tate's work, and I would suggest that those interested in Tate should concentrate on the early work. The best of it appears in Constant Defender and Absences, in my opinion. Then a steady decline. I'll probably buy the next book because I'm addicted to his voice. All that said, Ghost Soldiers in another disappointment. Tate turns his craft almost obsessively with thinly veiled attacks on the military, the government and the church. He has weighed in on the "culture war" at the expense of his own gift. A paean to the Weather Underground is really too much. His quips about the President read like bumper stickers. He places a rosary in women's underwear: tee-hee. I'm not in the least offended or necessarily even in disagreement with his politics, but disappointed that he has inserted them into his work in such a juvenile way. If you're going to throw ordnance, throw something bigger than fire-crackers.

There are several very good offerings in the 200 page book, but not enough to justify more than two stars.

CHERUBIC appears on page 171 in this collection THE GHOST SOLDIERS: POEMS (2008). I thought ahead preparing for the interview. "CHERUBIC is by the old James Tate," I said. "What do you mean?" said Oprah. "Well, it fits on one page and it finishes with a twist," I said. "Oh," she said. Obligingly I went on. "It comes to one possibly cute definitely thoughtful point," I said. I mean cute to be novel, creative, fun, but not trivial. This went unspoken. "Like your head has been hollowed out some to make room for this brand new idea to fit, "she said. I nodded. "CHERUBIC is also the one poem in the book, not so prosaic and contains absolutely no dialogue," I said. "Hmm," she said. We were ready to move on.

My son wanted this book for Christmas. I couldn't find it anywhere until I went on Amazon.com and of course, as usual I found it there. I love Amazon.com, you can find everything you're looking for.