Customer Reviews

Hand-Held Executions

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

 

 

Considering that Houlihan has earned the ire (or admiration, depending on whom you talk to) of many contemporary poets and poetry readers for her attacks on so-called senseless and "denatured" po-mo poetry, I'm surprised to see that her actual poems haven't generated much discussion. This is a strong book of poetry, with her always entertaining essays. Recommended.

It's not a habit of mine to pick up books of poetry -- even in a bookstore. But what on earth could that title mean? -- and those nails in a post?

I expected lines as jumbled or dreary as those in other poetry books I happen upon -- like the Best Poems of 19-- or 200- which I do glance at some years, only to put down feeling like an ignoramus -- or a dupe, or some of both.

But these were breath-catching poems! -- and fun! I gasped and giggled in that public place, and bought the book.

At home I started again at the beginning and read all the poems for pure pleasure, and went on to the essays out of a sense of duty. But in the essays I rediscovered my (poetic) self respect. The reason I don't like new poetry is not my lack of wit, it is that new poetry is trash, most of it -- pure pretentious piffle! My disinterest was a sign of my good judgement.

If you once liked poetry and want to gasp and giggle again, and to feel good about your judgement, get this book!

It's not a habit of mine to pick up books of poetry -- even in a bookstore. But what on earth could that title mean? -- and those nails in a post?

I expected lines as jumbled or dreary as those in other poetry books I happen upon -- like the Best Poems of 19-- or 200- which I do glance at some years, only to put down feeling like an ignoramus -- or a dupe, or some of both.

But these were breath-catching poems! -- and fun! I gasped and giggled in that public place, and bought the book.

At home I started again at the beginning and read all the poems for pure pleasure, and went on to the essays out of a sense of duty. But in the essays I rediscovered my (poetic) self respect. The reason I don't like new poetry is not my lack of wit, it is that new poetry is trash, most of it -- pure pretentious piffle! My disinterest was a sign of my good judgement.

If you once liked poetry and want to gasp and giggle again, and to feel good about your judgement, get this book!

Poems of depth and breathtaking language. The essays are a delightful bonus, hard-hitting and witty.

This is powerful poetry--best collection I've seen lately. The essays are insightful, witty and honest. Highly recommended.