Customer Reviews

The Modern Hebrew Poem Itself

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Here in France there is almost no interest for Hebrew literature and almost no effort of translation (although recently Appelfeld's books began only to be published in French). So this anthology, "The modern Hebrew poem itself" is really a great gift from America's open-mindedness, literacy, and scholarship. I read the first edition of this anthology years ago in the Beaubourg Library in Paris, and I discovered Grinberg and Bialik. Thanks to the authors, their rich and intricate Hebrew was made clear. This new edition I purchased from Amazon offers new poets, new brilliant analysis and translations, new paths into an original and modern culture. It is to be read, re-read and relished.

I used this anthology a lot when I was studying Hebrew. The phonetic transcription and translation were a big help to me. The selection of poems is outstanding. And it was special to study and learn a language through learning some of its great poetry. Also the interpretations of the poems are very interesting. A truly great anthology.

I have used this book of Modernish Hebrew poems and there are some truly wonderful poems. The commentaries are also not only useful but insightful. I have used it in a teaching environment as well.

If it is reprinted I would recommend that the poems be given not only with transliteration in a side-by-side way, but also the translation. Maybe the book needs to be wide rather than long so this can be done in three columns. The commentary can then follow.