Customer Reviews

AN Octave above Thunder (Poets, Penguin)

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In the oral tradition of literature, it was necessary to use alliteration and eidetic "tricks" in order to effectively and faithfully pass along the exhaustive details and subtle nuances of an original poem. Carol Muske returns to poetic origin in "An Octave Above Thunder", giving her readership a body of work that begs to be read aloud. Thus, in many of Muske's poems, the joy is in the presentation- the feel of the tongue alliterating and the sensual quality of her construction.

Muske is a lyricist who creates intellectual music. In the poem "At the School for the Gifted", she describes a classroom blackboard as "cut out camels plodding across the blackboard's high/ sill. Yet the desert below refuses to unfurl its/ mica wings" (31). Not only is this a fresh visual, but so too is the language. Muske's work delights the ear. Therefore, much of the beauty of craftsamnship is lost if the words are silently ingested. What I found most beautiful is how each poem has a moment that moves the reader to open their mouths and speak her words. It is this musicality and precision that I will remember from "An Octave Above Thunder".

Carol Muske's book "An Octave Above Thunder" is a tribute to Muske's ability to weave themes and subthemes into her book. The book explores everything from the power of a woman's voice to sex to death. She is also masterful at using language to illustrate gestures and actions that seem indescribable. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the richness of images and words.

If you get easily bored with poetry, but desperately love it anyway -- read this. The writing is complex, yet spare. I intend to reread Muske's book to catch what monster catfish I missed the first time. If you want something fun and superficial, try Hal Sirowitz and not this.

These poems appear to be the neurotic ramblings of a frighteningly self-important, yet somehow dull poet. I couldn't even drag myself to the end. But I did give it a 2 because a few of the little 'gems' were so overblown that they made me laugh. Awful, simply awful.