From Publishers Weekly
Recollection, ennui and the close description of the everyday have long characterized Stern's poetry. But having passed the age of 60, Stern seems to be trying to capture a wider sweep of emotions and ideas. While the poems in this collection continue to examine life in terms of "All that wonderful pity,/ all that wonderful bliss," they also seem to express a stronger note of finality than those in earlier collections. This feeling is best demonstrated in "Bela," in which he writes of Bartok's last days. Recalling a passage from the composer's late work, Stern observes "there is a noteI hear it/ of odd regret for a life not lived enough,/ everyone knows that sound, for me it's remorse,/ and there is a note of crazy satisfaction,/ this I love, of the life he would not change/ no matter whatno other animal/ could have such pleasure." Stern's readers are likely to come away from Lovesick with a similar feeling.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
There is a lot of pain in these poemsand a lot of life. Because Stern makes it abundantly clear that he is comfortable with his life, ultimately these are poems of celebration. We've come to expect that from this self-admittedly happy man living a lucky life, so that even his pains and frustrations are bittersweet, "lovesick." These are loving poems, gentle but not the least bit fragile. As the title implies, they deal mostly with love. Unlike most contemporary love poems, these pieces do not pale at the very mention of Keats. They are not always lyrics but often narratives that romp all over the page touching on a range of subjects: music, nature, the Delaware River, New York City, Iowa, Paris. Stern long ago secured his place as one of our finest poets; this collection should convince the dozen or so who do not yet know it. Essential. Louis McKee, English Dept., Judge Sch., Philadelphia
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
