Customer Reviews

Mother Said: Poems

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The poetry of Hal Sirowitz is hilarious and accessible - not the serious trying-to-solve-the-mysteries-of-life familiar brand of "real poetry". But a Sirowitz poem does, in fact, address the quotidian issues that drive us crazy and in this respect, his poetry does help us deal with our problems. Each poem is carefully crafted - deceptively so. But just try writing one! A wonderful read - I have purchased several copies for friends both into poetry and not. All have been delighted.

The funniest compilation of motherisms I've seen; I loved this book and recommend it highly

A young Norw. author called Erlend Loe found this book in New York, fell in love with it, translated it and made his publisher give it out in the matter of months. I do not know the figures, but it is selling really good here, along with the follow-up.I think this alone describes how great it is.

I interviewed Mr. Sirowitz on my radio program, "A Garden Of The Mind", in 1995. His poetry is indeed hilarious and brilliant; his recitation is every bit as great. I just ran across the tape of our interview and to my googling delight, here he is.

This is a book of hysterical poems about the all-knowing mother, Jewish or otherwise. I laughed out loud over and over, and I am a mother myself, but never mind.... There is a kernel, or a lot of kernels, of truth in each of these poems, so relax and have fun reading them, and if you recognize yourself in any (or all) of them, well, that's what makes these so enjoyable.

Hal Sirowitz's poems will stay with you for a long time. They are carefully crafted works of art that will make you laugh and cry at the same time. I am looking forward to My Therapist Said.

Having read a few example poems, I had considered getting this book as a Mother's Day gift.
I'm glad I didn't - - of the 144 or so poems, about 20 of them relate to sexual experiences. I had not anticipated that from this title. I prefer to keep my purchases "rated G," so I wish I had known this beforehand.

The majority of the poems, though, are parent-focused, and their relatability will make them humorous to anyone whose mother (Jewish or not) enjoys dramatic martyrdom, dispensing guilt trips, critiquing every aspect of your life, etc.

Hal Sirowitz is not the voice of all Jewish mothers; rather, he is the voice of every son with a loving mother. The family flourishes throughout this collection, speaking a universal message of love and devotion. I laughed...I cried...I called my mother